Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1888-02-07
DEFIANT AND CONFIDENT.
BISMARCK EXPLAINS EUROPEAN POL
ITlcS TO THE REIcHSTAG.

! As Usual He Carries His Point. aud the
Military BIZ VIII Go Through-The Old
Statesman Thinks War Not Thing OF
the Near Future. but Is Running After
Nobody and Ready for Anything.
BERLIN, Feb. THE reichstag was tho
scene Monday of a great gathering OF German
statesmen and people, all of whom were
| drawn thither by the announcement that Bis
| marck would speak ON the military bill But
what the man of blood and iron would say
directly about the bill was only of secondary
| Importance The real cause Of the interest
this time was the belief that the chancellor
would elaborate on the relations of Germany
with Russia and France apropos of the pub
| location last week II the treaty between Ger
many and Austria. The existence of the
treaty had long been known, but its pro-
visions were "A matter Of more or less specu-
lation, aud the publication at this time was
looked upon in many quarters as an intima-
ton to Russia that she must stop massing
troops on her rsstern frontier, or fight.
Prince Bismarck was greeted with i'm
mense enthusiasm all along the drive to the
reichstag and deafening cheers announced
his appearance on the floor of the German
parliament. He opened by stating that he
WOuil DISCUSS Luo ReueTul lSuIOllouh SlLuu-
ton, which, he said, had changed very little
in the last year. He did not believe the
Russian newspapers, but he did absolutely
believe the cars word. Concentration of
Russian troops appeared serious, but there was
no preteXt for war War with France would
not involve war with Russia, but war with
Russia would eventually involve France.
He believed that the concentration of Rus
sian troops meant that Russia intended to
make her voice heard when next the powers
conferred.
He then reviewed the relations of Prussia
with Russia since lS4S. Frequently, he said,
they had Lad menacing aspect out at all
times the calmness and conscien ciousness dis
played by the ministers on the Prussian side
toward the threatening position of Russian
affairs-a position of which foreign countries
had no idea-had succeeded in averting mis-
chief. Hitherto, as now" he continued,
1--WE have been constrained to augment and
organize our forces, so that in case of neces-
sity we might stand forth strong nation,
making its power prevail by our strength,
and so defending its authority, its dignity
and its possessions. "
"The warlike tendencies of France and Rus
STA, " the chancellor declared "drive us to an
attitude of defense. The pike III France and
Russia compel us to become carp. Prussia
has always been complaisant with Russia, do
ing her many services. myself, when min
lister to Russia, successfully labored to keep
amicable relations. However, my friendly
feelings for Russia have cooled. 1 say this
In order to make quite clear the reason why
we concluded an alliance with Austria. We
were inclined to accede to the demands that
Russia made upon us before the last war in
the east. Russia then turned vainly to Aus
tria. We were glad that the storm passed
over our heads Those who expect to find
threat in the publication OF the treaty OF
1879 are mistaken. The treaty is an ex-
preston of the community of interests of
the two contracting parties"
austria is our natural ally in the dangers
that threaten us from Russia and France
but there is no need to fear the hatred OF
Russia. No wars are waged from mere
hatred, for other wise France would have to
be at war with Italy and the whole world
The strength we possess will reassure our
public opinion and allay the nervousness OF
the bourse and the press Our task now is to
strengthen this strength 1t must not be
said that others can place the same defensive
frontier force are able to do II we
are attacked. then the Juror Teutonieus will
flame. We hope to remain Mt peace with
Russia, "a with all other powers, but we do
not run after anybody Russia has no
grounds for complaint of Germany's attitude
Oh the Bulgarian question"
Prince Bismarck reiterated the confidence
that Germany felt in her army, and declared
that Germany feared "only the God which
makes us wish to foster peace" Concerning
the strength and extent Of her military re-
sources, the chancellor asserted that Ger
many could place million men upon each
of her frontiers, irrespective of the reserves
Prince Bismarck occupied an hour and
forty minutes in the delivery of his speech
Dpra ba haca ma fatiVlel and down
tinuing his speech from his seat. After
awhile, however, he arose to his feet
and finished his address with increased
animation, pausing now and then to sip
refreshing drink. When he said that in
1868 it was due to the emperor and his advis-
ers that Russian war was avoided the ap-
plause began, and it was renewed with ln-
creasing vigor and enthusiasm when he de-
clare d that in case of necessity &c rmany was
equal to any emergency. The words """
don't run after any body were received with |
Il tremendous outbur5t of cheering
Dr. Frankensteu moved the adoption of |
the land wehr bill en- bloc, and that in view |
of the political situation the loan bill he not |
debated. The motion was supported by |
Hellborf, Behr, and Bennigsen, whereupon |
the loan bill was referred to the budget COM |
nlittee and the house proceeded TO the sec
ond reading of the land WEIR bill. Franken- |
stein moved the adoption Of the bill en- bloc, |
which motion was seconded by Bennigsen.
Here Prince Bismarck said that the gov |
eminent highly esteemed the Willingness of
the house to meet its views, not only as proof |
of the confidence of the reiChstag, but be- |
cause it materially contributed to strengthen
the guarantees of peace. The bill then passed |
to its second reading amid cheers.
Prince Bismarck received continuous |
ovation while returning from the reichstag |
palace to hl, home.
A little Natural Gas Freak.
BRADFORD Pa, Feb. Fire Monday |