Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-02-07
GERMAN CHANCELLOR
BISMARCK TALKS PEACE AND PREPARES
FOR WAR.
The Significant Speech Of the Iron Prince b As
German R.ichsag-No Fan Of q War
Either With France or Russia
Confidence Restored.

BERLIN, February 6.-The announce
ment that Prince Bismarck would speak
ON the Military bill drew . great throng Of
people to the Reichstag to-day.
Long before the days business wss be-
gun the galleries were filed to repletion.
Prince William of Prussia and Prince
Leopold, son OF the late Prince Frederick
Charles, occupied the court box, while tho
diplomatic gallery was crowded with the
different foreign Representatives and their
families.
Prince Bismarck MAS enthusiastically
greeted on his way to the Reichstag by
dense crowds which lined the route along
wilhelm Straase to the Palace. Prince
Bismarck entersd tha Rsichslag at twenty
Eve minutes after Que o'clock, and was
received with deaisning cheers. Tho
House proceeded with the reading Of the
Military Loan Bill and Prince Bismarck
arose to address the House He said
AZ don't believe can add anything TO
the true state OF the case regarding the
bill. Idon't address you on that account.
My object Is 70 speak Of the general
situation Of Europe. may coufne my
self to referring TO what said on the same
subject over year ago. There has been
very little change since then, when feared
war with France Since then France has
elected q peace-loving President aud =
pacific disposition has prevailed. can
therefore reassure the public that 10 far A.
France is concerned the prospect has be-
come more peaceful. Regarding Russia
also an of no other opinion than when ]
said that We have to apprebend no attack
from Russia. The situation must not he
Judged from press comments.
In concluding his speech 10 the Reich
stag to day, Prince Bismarck said: "The
Russian newspapers do not believe.
believe the Cars word absolutely. Tho
situation, on the whole, il not different
from that of 1873. grant that the con-
centration Of Russian troops on the frontier
may appear serious, but | perceive no
cause or preteIt for Russian or Euro
pean war Russia has no interest TO con
quer Prussia nor Austrian provinces.
Indeed, 20 80 far in my confidence ~
to say that even war with France would
not necessitate war with Russia, although
the latter eventually would involve the
former. It's true that cannot demand an
explanation from the Russian foreign Office
regarding the concentration OF troops OIL
the frontier, but, having been well ac-
quainted with Russian foreign policy for
generation, may have my opinion on the
matter / believe the Russian Cabinet
intends TO make Russias voice heard at
the next European crisis and therefore
wishes to push her military forces A. far
westward As possible.
Russia speculstes upon . turn taking
place soon In the eastern question, aud de-
sires then to act promptly and with
greater weight Perhaps Russia intends 10
render her diplomatic demands more ei-
iectual, from the fact Of having an army
ready for war behind them We, however,
are only concerned In the eastern question
in o secondary manner.
Prince Bisnisrck proceeded TO revisw the
relations between Russia and Prussia since
IS4S, and showed how frequently they bad
assumed menacing aspect. He said that
nj all times the calmness and c0nSien-
tiousuess displayed by the ministers on the
Prussian side towards the threa tening DC.
sition Of Russian affairs-a position OF
which foreign countries had no idea-had
succeeded In averting mischief.
"As early a. 1869, he continued, mat.
ters were in such position that every.
body urged me TO advise striking blow.
waited quietly until we were struck.
believe we did we'll In this Despite all
indications Of q storm. . certain feeling of
tranquility supervened owing 10 the iuti.
mate relations between the three Empcrors.
Then As now, however, we were cor
strained TO augment and organize our
forces, 40 that in case Of necessity we might
stand forth q strong nation, making its
power prevail by our strenth, and - de-
Tending its authority, Is dignity and its
posse%sionsp