The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-16
The chancellor Appears in the Reichstag
and DeliversSeveralShort Speeches.
He Bitterly Assails the German Liberal News
papers, and Takes Special Care to Avoid Of
Tending the English Government.
The Samoan Matter Is Discussed, but
Without AlluSiOn to the United States.
The Liberals Press the Chancellor Very Close
ly and at Times He Shows Much Irrita-
tion-General Foreign News by Cable.
BISMARCK IN THE REICHSTAG.
An Interesting and at Times Lively Discu
sion of African Matters.

BISMARCK IN THE REICHSTAG.
An Interesting and at Times Lively Discus
sion of African Matters.
BERLIN, Jan. 15.-Since his return to Ber-
lin, Prince Bismarck, who appeared to be
nervous and excited, has been constantly
occupied. He has had three interviews
with the Emperor, and has received Prince
Solius Sonenwald, who recently arrived
here, and who was mentioned by Maj. Won
Defines as being present when Bazaine as
serted that he had received MOrier's dis
patch regarding the crossing of the Moselle
by the German troops. The Chancellor
also presided at council of Ministers
To-day's meeting of the Reichstag was
awaited with the keenest interest.
The house was crowded. The COM
mittee proposed that all the foreign
office estimates be passed with
out amendment. On the clause deal
ing with the salaries of Herr Vozsen and
other Zanzibar officials, amounting to 1900
marks, Herr Richter, after remarking that
the East Africa COmpany's officials were
most blamable for the troubles in Africa,
said: Herr Vozsen must also be held re-
spOnsible. When, in behalf of the company.
he concluded the treaty with the Sultan,
Vozsen must have well known that the
company was absolutely incapable
of fulfilling the treaty obligations,
and had not even half million marks in
hand with which to assume sovereign rights
and customs authority over that large ter
ritory. VOzsen himself admits that the
company was little prepared, and yet he
concluded the fatal treaty"
At this point Prince. Bismarck entered
the Chamber. After short reply from the
| reporter. to the effect that the committee
approved the items the Chancellor pointed
out that the increase of business and the
possibility of illness appeared to make
necessary the appointment of a vice-consul.
Herr Won Bennigsen protested that no ex-
tended debate had occurred. The item had
been accepted, owing to Count Herbert'S
confidential communication.
Herr Richter's motion to strike out the
clause was rejected, and the clause was
adopted.
On the clause which provides for the
| planned that the privilege to the British
Niger Company to raise import and export
duties would enable it to defeat others de-
| sirIng to trade in these regions. The Brit
| ish statement was that the company itself
paid duties, but it was clear the company
| pOcketed the duties. This state of affairs
/ especially endangered Germany's ID p.s
/, c.nt. share OF the trade OF Lagos. The For
| leges are not further extended.
Prince Bismarck replied that he should be
| glad could Herr WOermann induce an En-
| glish member to deliver the same speech in
| said, that very many British industries go
| hand in hand and sympathize with inter
| ests like ours, which suffer from the con-
| duet of the colonial authorities and the
| Niger Company. The Foreign Office, how
| ever, lacks substantial handle to inter-
fere with the internal affairs of the English
| colonial administration or legislation. We
sought to divide our spheres of interest by
treaties and by the exchange of notes, both
| in the direction of the CamerOOnS and
southwest Africa To adhere to these the
| oretical lines is difficult enough in itself, as
the recent occurrences in southwest Africa
| prove. The control of government over
the action of its subjects in those regions
is not always so easy as we are accustomed
| to find it in the orderly state organization
of this continent, but we possess no treaty
in justification for addressing specific de-
mand to the British government. The En-
Company and the trade of that district in
accordance with its own parliamentary and
and economic interests. Should we attempt
to interfere in this domestic affair, we
| should thereby lay ourselves open to claim
for a certain reciprocal accommodating
ness which might be detrimental to our
own independent colonial action for sew
eral years. The Foreign Office has
| OcCdSlOQ 10 Q1TecC the aCueQUlOn Oh
England to the proceedings of the Niger
Company, which have been hard to recon
cile with the otherwise liberal principles
OF the English commercial policy" The
correspondent on the subject, he said, had
not altogether stopped, and, at the instance
of Herr WOermann, he would gladly take
opportunity to renew it.
Count Herbert Bismarck, following the
Chancellor said: THE difficulty which
England also experiences is that the Niger
/ COmn1nV hitherto he frllft
OF All statements of German and
English settlers We therefore con
slider it advisable to send an expert
official to Lagos in order to obtain officia
plaint to England. provided the complaint
proves to be justified. We believe that
England intends to send an official for the
same purpose. Judging by the friendly at
always hitherto displayed toward us in al
colonial negotiations, it may be assumed
that as soon as we have official information
on both sides. we shall arrive at a satisfac
| tory settlement"
In reply to Herr Richter's question
whether the slave trade or slavery existed
now in west African territory under Ger
man protection, the Chancellor said tha
of years, could not be abolished all at once
1t would be a very serious matter to aban
don slave labor without further steps
National interests would be greatly en-
| 0angereQ Dy Sucn course, and fOrel gl
countries would be turned against Ger
many. 1t was impossible that this coul,
be Herr Richters aim, although
his organs encouraged everything
likely to cause difficulties an,
imbroglios for the fatherland. In conclu
sion, he declared that his only object il
speaking on the subject was to raise
barrier between Herr Woer1nann and tha
portion of the press which had no father
land and was inimical to Germany.
Herr Kardoff said that Germany must no
allow herself to be daunted if she aspired +
have word to say in the world. Othe
nations spent much more in the trans
oceanic interests.
Herr Woernan. resuming. said that Her
Richters utterances showed complete ie
nOrance OF the state of affairs. There ex
listed in the German colonies high duties ol
brandy andetrict prohibition of the impor
tati0n of arms by barter or trade Ham
burg merchants by no means kept thei
pockets closed. The question under dis
cussiOn concerned the administration O
the country, and. therefore, Hamburg di
not push itself forward. German colonia
policy suffered much less from want O
money than from want of capable men
1t was easier to obtain none
than men. There were, indeed
people who are willing to risk their healtl
on the consideration of high salaries, whic
detracted from the paying character of tn
enterprise. He was convinced that matter
would change directly few successes wer
recorded. 1t became a matter of difficult
for Germany. because In certain quarter
every effort was made TO raise obstacle!
a ~<~lx = n. II