Omaha daily bee., 1888-02-07
BlSMARCK'S GREAT SPEECH.
The Iron Chancellor Talks to the
German Reichstag.
a REVIEW OF THE SITUATION.
No Immediate Danger of War But
Precautionary Measures Consid-
cred the Proper Thing-France
and Russia's Relations.
n Great Effort.

great speech has been delivered. He spoke
in his best style. Hesitating, almost stut-
terng at times, he came to difficult points,
but sliding over these snags to rush on with
an eloquent Interpretation of the political his
tory, interspersed with ironical humor. His
main point was that since 1S4S Europe had
been almost daily on the brink OF great
European war, but that having deferred
guarreling over important matters, it would
be foolish now to fight about Bulgaria,
country so small that after the war was over
nobody would be able to remember why they
all began to fight He emphasized strongly
his affectonate trust in the car
and his Indifference to France and French
attacks about Bulgaria. He repeated that
IL belonged to Russia by conquestoand must
again go under Russian influence, but this
influence could never be regained by arms
The speech most emphaticaHy proved his
desire for peace, though its tone, or rather
accent, was decidedly that of
man whose temper had been
so severely strained that in this same
breath he feels he must show his desire to
keep peace by his ability to crush all opposi-
ton. A storm of applause followed his con-
cludng sentence. 1--WE Germans fear God,
but nothing else in the world"
In impressive silence the leaders Of all the
parliamentary parties rose each to say in
twenty words that what sacrifice of men or
money Germany demanded the Germans
would give without question or regrets with
out a dissenting voice and with enthusiasm.
The new arms bill was voted en- bloc. An
hour before the rechstag opened Leipzig and
William streets, from the. chancelor's palace
to the reichstag, were so crowded that
the traffic had almost stopped Bismarck
drove through the excited crowd in closed
carriage. Prince William followed between
lines of waving handkerchiefs and hats.
Moltke came last and laughed good
humoredly at the enthusiasm he provoked.
Inside every one waited for the cne1
actor. Bismarck staked in and arose
abruptly to speak. He seemed per-
'ceptibly older than during the
septennate debates He spoke even lower
than usual, so that it was almost impossible
to hear him. He began with reluctance as
if forced into speaking against his will and
Judgment. He occasionally showed his old
fierce energy. He spoke from notes. but
seldom referred to them. Beside him stood
tumblcr of brandy and water. He drank
three tumblers in the first half
hour then, tapping impatiently on his half
empty glass; he had it filed up with soda
water. The next glass was again too strong,
SO one of the cabinet ministers attempted to
replace the absent servant. He mixed the
grog. Bismarck tasted it, but said i'm
patiently: THAT is a horrible drink"
The Iron Chancellor Talks.
BERLIN, Feb. 6.-The announcement that
Bismarck would speak on the military bill
drew great throng of people to the reich
stag to-day and long before the days bust
ness was begun the galleries were filled.
Prince William, of Prussia, and Prince
Leopold, son of the late Prince Frederick
Charles, occupied the court box, while the
diplomatic galleries were crowded with the
different foreign representatives and their
families
Bismarck was enthusiastically greeted on
his way to the reichstag palace by a dense
crowd which lined the route. On his ar
rival at the rechstag, Bismarck was re-
ceived with deafenng cheers
The house proceeded with the first reading
of the military loan bill and Prince Bismarck
arose to address the house He said: ~
do not believe l can add any
case regarding the bill. do not
address you on that account My object is to
speak of the general situation of Europe. l
may contine myself to what l 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 elected a peace-lovng president, and a
pacinc dlspositlon mas prevailed. can therc-
fore reassure the public that so far as
France is concerned the prospect
has become more peaceful, Regarding Rus-
STA, am OF no other opinion than when l
said that we have to apprehend no attack
from Russia The situation must not be
judged from press comments"
1.-THE Russian newspapers" continued Bis
marck, II not believe. believe the cars
word absolutely. The situation on the whole
is not different from that of 1919. / grant
that the concentration of Russian troops on
the frontier may appear serious, but l per-
ceive no cause or preteXt for Russian or Eu-
ropean war :kussia has no interest to
conquer Prussia nor the Austrian provinces.
Indeed go so far IN my confidence to say
that even war with France would not neces-
state war with Russia, although the latter
would eventually involve the former 1t is
true that cannot demand an explanation
from the RUSSIAN foreign Office regarding the
concentration OF troops upon the frontier, but
having been well acquainted with Russia's
foreign policy for u generation | may have
my own opinion on the matter. believe the
Russian cabinet intends to make Russia's
voice heard at the next European crisis ano