The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1888-02-07
HIS OPINION ON THE SITUATION.
GREAT THR0NG PRESENT IN THE
REICHSTAG.
The Condition OF Affairs Must Not be
Does Not Relieve Russian Papers.

BERLIN, February 6.-The announce
ment that Prince Bismarck would speak
ON the military bin drew a great throng
to che Reichstag to-day, and long before
the days business was begun the galleries
were filed to repletion. Prince William
of Prussia, and Prince Leopold, son of
the late Prince Frederick Charles. occu-
pied the Court box, while the diplomatic
gallery was crowded with the different
foreign representatives and their fami-
lies. Prince Bismarck was enthusiastic
ally greeted on his way by the dense
crowd which lined the streets leading to
the palace. Prince Bismarck entered
the Reichstag at 1:25. He was received
with deafening cheers.
The house proceeded with the first read
ing of the military tax bill, and Prince
Bismarck arose to address the house.
He said, Il do not believe 1 can add
anything to the true state of the case re-
garding the bill. / do not address you
on that account. My object is to speak
of the general situation of Europe. may
confine myself to referring to what |
said on the same subject over year ago.
There has been very little change since
then, when l feared war with France.
Since then France has selected peace
loving President, and pacific disposition
has prevailed. / can therefore reassure
the public that so FAR as France is con-
cerned the prospect has become more
peaceful. Regarding Russia, also, am
of no other opinion than when said that
we have to apprehend no attack from
Russia. The situation must not be
Judged from press comments.
''The Russian newspapers do not be-
heve. l believe the Cars word abso-
lutely. The situation. on the whole, is
not different from that of 1879. I grant
that the concentration of Russian troops
on the frontier may appear serious, but
l perceive no cause for pretext for
Russian or European war. Russia has
no interest to conquer the Prussian or
Austrian provinces. Indeed, go so far
in my confidence as to say that even war
with France would not necessitate war
with Russia, although the latter
eventually would involve the former.
1t is true that l cannot demand an
explanation from the Russian Foreign
Office regarding the concentration
of troops in the frontier, but having been
well acquainted with the Russian for.
eign policy for generation, / may have
my own opinion on the matter. [ be-
lieve the Russian Cabinet intends to
make Russia's voice heard at the next
European crisis, and therefore wishes to
push her military forces as far westward
as possible. Perhaps Russia speculates
upon turn taking place soon in the
Eastern question, and desires then to act
promptly and with greater weight Per-
haps Russia intends to render her diplo-
matte demands more effectual from the
fact of having an army ready for war
behind them. We. however, are only
concerned in the Eastern question in a
secondary manner"
Bismarck proceeded TO review the re
lations between Prussia and Russia since
1866, and show ed how frequently they
had assumed a menacing aspect. He
said that at all times the calmness and
conservativeness displayed by the minis
ters on the Prussian side towards the
threatening position of Russian affairs
a position of which foreign countries
had no idea-had succeeded in averting
mischief.
=" AS early as 1861 he continued,
I" matters We're i'll such position that
everybody urged me to, and advised
striking a blow. l waited quietly until
we were struck. believe we did wei
in this. Despite all indications of a
storm a certain feeling of tranquility
supervened owing to the in
innate relations bet ~een the
three emperors. Then, as now, however,
we were constrained to augment and or
ganize our forces so that in case of ne
cessity we might stand forth as a strong
nation making It's power prevail by our
strength, and defending its authority,
its dignity and its possessions.