Los Angeles herald., 1890-05-07
REICHSTAG OPENS.
Emperor Williams Address
from the Throne.
Abundant SOps for the Work
ing-Classes.
No Mention Made Of Anti-SOcialist
Legislation.
Increased Armaments Demanded that the
Peace of Europe May be Best
Maintained.
Associated Press Dispatches.

Associated Press Dispatches
BERLIN, May 6.-The reichstag was
opened by the emperor today. In his
opening address his majesty declared
that efforts to maintain the peace of
Europe should increase. He expressed
the conviction that he will succeed in
confirming the confidence of the powers
in the pacific policy of Germany. Ger
many, the emperor said, recognizes that
it is her duty to protect peace by culti-
waiting an alliance for purposes of de-
fence. and by perfecting armaments, for
which purpose new military credit will
be asked. The emperor announced that
measures will be presented for improv-
ing the condition of the workingmen.
The strikes during the year sug-
gested the examination of the question
whether the existing laws adequately
took into account the justifiable wishes
of the workingmen. Questions claiming
foremost attention were those of Sunday
rest and women's and children's labor.
The federal government was convinced
that the proposals of the last reichstag
might in essential points become a law
without detriment to other interests.
The legal provisions for the pro-
lection of workingmen against
dangers threatening the lives, health
and morals, were susceptible of amend
ment, as were also the laws relative to
the issue of labor regulations. The
rules concerning workingmen's books
also required to be supplemented with
the object OF assuring parental author
ity in view of the increasing insubordin-
alton among youthful workingmen. A
bill on this subject will be laid before
the reichstag
Another bill will be submitted for the
better regulation and organization of in
dustrial courts of arbitration. The Em-
peror continued: II trust you are willing
to cooperate to bring about an agree
ment between the legislative bodies
upon the proposed reforms, and thus
take a significant forward step in the
peaceful development of the conditions
OF labor. A just solicitude for the work
men constitutes the most effectual
means by which to strengthen the re-
sources with which | and my exalted
allies are resolved to appeal with un-
bended determination any attempt to
disturb the legal order of things. In
effectlng these reforms only such meas
ures will come up for consideration as
can be carried out without endangering
the industries of the fatherland. Our
industry only forms link in the eco
nomic work OF the nations competing in
the worlds markets. l have therefore
made the point of going about among
the European states whose economic
position has the same character, for an
exchange of views regarding the Joint
recognition of legislation required to
protect the wOrkingmen. | most CRATE
fully acknowledge the favorable recep-
tion OF my suggestions by all the states
concerned.
'The resolutions adopted by the
recent labor conference at Berlin, ex-
pressed our common views on the most
important field of work and culture of
our times. l do not doubt that the
principles laid down in those resolutions
will form the seed, under Gods help,
from which will spring up happiness.
The workingmen will be blessed by the
fruit, which will be harmonious rela-
tions between the people,
Referring to the foreign relations of
Germany, his majesty said his efforts
would be increasingly directed toward
the maintenance of peace. He said:
Il am able to express the conviction
that my endeavors to strengthen the con-
fidence of all the foreign governments
in the security afforded by our policy
has been successful with the emperor
and his exalted allies. The nation rec
ognizes the duty of protecting peace by
cultivating an alliance concluded for the
purpose OF defense. Any displacement
OF the balance of power endangers the
political equilibrium; consequently
guarantee is thereby afforded for a sue
cessful maintenance of peace. Since the
bases of our military constitution were
settled, the military organizations of our
neighbors have extended to an unfore-
seen degree. What has been done by
us has thus been rendered Inadequate.
In order to prevent the displacing of
the whole situation to our disadvantage,
it is necessary to increase our peace
effective and strengthen our different
arms especially the field artillery. A
bill will be submitted enacting that
an increase of the army shall come into
force on the 1st of October
Touching colonial affairs, the emperor
said the actions taken in East Africa for
the suppression of the slave trade and
protection of Germany's interests, have
progressed during the last few months.
1t is hoped tranquility will soon prevail
in those regions.
The reading of the emperor's speech
was frequently interrupted by cheers.
After the delivery of the speech Chan
cellor Won Caprivi declared the reichs-
tag open.
The members of the freisinnige party
laid motion on the table demanding
that bill be passed reducing the corn
duty to three marks per double quintal,
abolishing the beet root tax and export
bounties and withdrawing from distifler-
les the existing privileges relating to
spirit tax, and finally demanding gen
eral revision of the tariffs, with view
to the abolition of corn and cattle du-
ties, and the reduction of duties on other
articles of general consumption, espe-
cially farm products.
The socialists will introduce a bill
for the immediate repeal of the corn
duties.
The new military bill fixes the peace
of no Z