Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-12-30
OLD WORLD ECHOES.
The Regular Weekly Cable
Budget of News. :
Is 1T WAR OR PEACE. JEHUs
Bismarck's Health-The New ExplO-
sives-Russia and France
Still Arming. M

'Cspyright. 1888, by New York Associated
BERLIN, December 29.-The New Year
reception at court is awaited with
anxiety, an impression prevailing that
the Emperor will seize the occasion to
give utterance to words pregnant with
indications OF the coming years policy.
Nothing like speech can be expected,
court precedent being against anything
beyond a formal reception to diplomats,
officials and the Hofgesellschaft gener-
orally. But some few words
CONVEYING A MESSAGE OF PEACE TO THE
WORLD
Are certainly looked for. The Emperor,
readily finding chance, none will doubt
the character of his utterances. The
North German Gazette has tardily repro
duced, in prominent position and in
arge type, the Emperor's words on re-
ceiviug the wreath at the Vulcan Ship
Works: "These are laurels of peace. +"
Semi-oficial newspapers concur in the
announcement that whatever plans are
in preparation in France and Russia,
GERMANY REMAINS ON THE DEFENSIVE
In the meanwhile perfecting her arma.
ments. The N0ti ondl Gazette summing
up the situation ascribes the existing
quiet to the fact that period has been
reached when arming on every side will
be terminated and the fever of prepara-
ton be replaced by calm arising from
conscious readiness to do battle. On the
other hand, in the opinion of the Militar
Zeitung and Krens Zeitung the express
sions of the Emperor are pacific, because
the army is
IN STATE OF TRANSITION,
The infantry drill regulations and radi-
cal changes in defences necessary to
meet recent explosive inventions, and
the form in cavalry weapons combining
to render advisable another year of pre-
paratory activity. The uncertainty con-
corning Prince Bismarck's health has
become disturbing factor in the situa-
tion. The Chancellor was better at the
beginning of the week, but authentic
advices from Friederichsruhe report that
since Wednesday he has suffered re-
currence of
THE GOUT IN SEVERE FORM.
DR.. Schweinger is in attendance upon
him. but at the instance of Count Her
bert Bismark, DR.. Burdeleben saw him
on Thursday. The question of making
additional state provision for the I'm
perial family comes up in the Reichstag
some time in February. Apart from his
ample income as King of Prussia, the
allowance of the Emperor from the I'm
perial funds is only $3.50, 900 yearly. 1t
is reported that the Chancellor will in
form the Reichstag that an additional
$3.50, 900 is required owing to the ex-
penditures involved in the increased
duties of the head of the Empire.
A CoNCENsUs OF OPINION
1 that some such provision is necessary
and that the sum mentioned is reasoIa-
BILE
Early in February the Imperial tour
will be resumed. The programme has
not yet been decided upon, but prepara-
tions now being mide indicate that the
Emperor will visit Alsace- Lorraine.
Court Marshal Liebenan has been to
Strasburg to arrange for his reception
there.
SECRET EXPERIMENTS WITH THE NEW
EXPLOSIVE
Proceed successfully near Thorn.
Experts are convinced that the explosive
can destroy forts like the French forts
Darrell on the frontier within a few
hours. The powers of this explosive will
revolutionize the whole fortress system,
making useless great inclosed fort
works, and necessitating movable defen-
sive works inclosed in iron clad bull
warks. The recent fort work changes in
France and Russia indicate that both of
those Nations have obtained knowledge
of the explosive. Warsaw dispatches
state that the system of Todleben will be
completely abandoned and that orders
have already been issued to stop the
work at Kowal and to form instead
triangular system, including Kowal,
Liteuski and Bialsystock connected by
strategic railways.