The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-25
Tho Opening Of tho Reichstag.

The session Of the Reichstag which has
begun this week Is likely to be the most
memorable that Berlin has witnessed since
the famous war scare OF 1873. The speech
from tho throne made it evident that the
Kaiser. while disaVowing any intention OF
disturbing the peace OF Europe. or any be-
lief that it Is seriously threatened Mt this
moment from any quarter. has determined
to use all his influence on behalf OF his
Chancellor's project for the enlargement Of
tho German army. The task Of obtaining
all the votes needed for that measure would
have been a hard one at best. but 1t has
been made more difficult by CAPRIvI's per-
sonal attack on BISMARCK. which may pro-
woke that dangerous antagonist to re-
enter the Parliamentary arena.
The reasons for increasing the German
standing army by nearly one hundred
thousand men. and adding some sixteen
| million dollars a year to budget already
overburdened. were. as We lave said. but
| fuintly indicated In the speech from the
| throne. They were set forth. however.
| frankly and forcibly in the Chancellor's ad-
| dress. which contained some remarkable
| admissions CAPRlvI acknowledged. for
| example. that the Germans had lost since
| 1870 the military supremacy OF Europe be-
| cause, as history has repeatedly attested.
| the vanquiShed always make ready for 4
renewal Of war more ardentiy than do the
yictors. No, only is the French army far
| stronger and better disciplined. but French
fortresses. especially Paris. are much better
qualified to resist an invader than they were
in 1870. Then, again. although no doubt
was expressed touching the good faith OF
Austria and Italy. the Chancellor declared
| that Germany must bear the chief burden
OF preparation for the coming contest for
this reason, il for no other. that Germany.
| like her allies. would be exposed to stimuli
tancous attacks upon both sides. The
Chancellor assumed that the growing init.
macy OF France and Russia will lead to mil
| itary cooperation. and although he thinks
the Car is personally disposed to keep the
peace. there is already degree OF friction
| bet tween the German aud Russian peoples
which may at any hour produce collision.
| Considered as an exposition Of facts. this
series Of assertions Is not open to question
| 1t is otherwise with the reference to the
causes which have brought about this state
| Of things. When CAPRIvI says that I'VE have
| made all efforts to preserve the ties binding
us to Russia" he is certain to be contra.
| dicted by BISMARCK. When the latter went
out of oi!lce a coalition or even a friendly un.
| darstan,iing between France and Russia
| seemed far distant. While strengthen.
| ing Germany by n combination with
tho two central powers. BISMARCK
ct tho same time had managed t.
! avoid cstranging the Car, by refus,
ing TO commit himself TO the support
of Austrian ACKNOWLEDGMENT In the Balkan
peninsula. This feature OF BIsMARcK's
foreign policy. although according to the
author it was the keystone OF the whole
structure, has been abandoned by CAPRIvI
who has allowed German diplomatists tC
second the designs OF the Vienna Govern,
ment at Constantinople. Sofia. Belgrade
and Bucharest. Thanks to CAPRIvI. Bull,
garia remains In the hands OF the anti Rus