The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-07
The Subject Of His Remarks Is tho
Pending Military Bill.
A,Great Throng OF People Gather In
the Galleries to Hear Him.
He Anticipates No Trouble With
Russia Nor With France.
All That He Desires Ia That tho Reich
stag Pass the Bill That Germany
May tho Better Maintain
Her Dignity.

BERLiN, Feb. 6.-The announcement
that Prince Bismarck would speak on the
military bill drew great throng Of people
TO the Rcichsiag today, and long before the
days businc was begun the galleries were
flied TO replotlon.
Prince William, of Prussia, and Prince
Leopold, son Of the late Prince Frederick
Charles, occupied the court box, while the
diplomatic gallery was crowded with the
different foreign representatives and their
families
Prince Bismarck was enthusiastically
greeted on his way to the Reichstag palace
by dense crowds, which lined the route
along Wilhelm straee to the palace.
Prince Bismarck entered the Reichsiag
at l;2j o'clock. lie was received with
dcaicning cheers.
Tho House proceeded with the first
reading OF the military loan hill and Prince
Bismarck arose to address the House. lie
said:
| do not believe can add anything TO
the true state Of the case regarding the
! bin. do not address YOU on that account.
! Nv object il 10 speak Of the general situa-
| ton Of Europe. / may coniinc myself 10
referring 10 what said on the same sub
| iccl over n yearago. There has been very
| little change since then, when | feared war
with France. Since then France has
elected q peace loving President and pa
oilic disposition has prevailed. i can,
therefore, rcassurc the public that so far
NJ France IL concerned the prospect has
become moro peaceful. Regarding Rus
sia also, | am Of no other opinion than
when said that we have 10 apprehend no
attack from Russia. The situation must
not be judged from press comments. The
Russian newspapers, do not believe. /
believe the Cars word absolutely. The
situation ON the whole is not different
from that OF 1872 grant that the con-
cenlraion OF Russian troops ON the from
tier may appear serious, but perceive no
cause or prelext Tor u Russian or Euro
pcan war. Russia has no interest 10 con-
Quur rrus,ian nor Austrian provinces. In
deed 20 ~ TAT in my confidence as 10 say
that even a war with France would not
ncressitate war with Russia, although
the latter eventually would involve the
former II * true that | cannot demand
an explanation from the Russian foreign
Office regarding the concentration Of
troops on the frontier, but being well ac-
qunintcd with Rugiia's foreign policy
ior generation, | may have my own
opinion ia the matter | believe the Rus.
sian Cabinet intends 20 mako Russia's
voice heard at the next Euro
prin crisis aud therefore wishes To
push her military forces as iar westward
~ possible. Perhaps Russia speculaies
upon n turn taking place soon In the cast
crn question. aud decides then TO act
promptly and with greater weight. Per
haps Russia intends 10 render her diplo-
matte commands more cilcctual from the
fact Of having an army ready for war be-
| hind them. We, however ara only COM
ccmcd In the eastern question ia a sec
Undlry manner"
Prince Bismarck proceeded TO review
the relations between Prussia and Russia
since isis, and showed how frequently
they had assumed n mCnacing aspect.
lie said that ut all times the calmncss and
consciCnliousnc.s displayed 10y the minis
tora ON the Prus-ian side toward the
threatening position Of Russian aiiais-a
position Of which foreign countries had no
idea had succeeded in aycrling mischief.
"As early ~ 1853" he continued, mat
tiers were in such q position that every
body urged me to advise striking blow.
| / waited quietly until We weru struck. l
believe We did well In this Despite all
indications " storm, a certain feeling OF
tranquility npcrycncd, owing TO the inii-
mate relations between the thrco Emper-
ors Then, ~ now, however, We were
constrained 10 augment and organize our
forces, 40 that In case Of necessity We
might stand forth a strong nation, making
| iis power prevail by our strength, and 10
defending lbs authority, It's dignity and
| ~ Possessions"