New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-27
THE NEWS OF EUROPE.
ppFPARATION FOR WAR THE DOMINANT
TOPIC.
FIFE GERMAN ARMY BILL AND THE CRAVE
ISSUES THAT HANG THEREON-MR. GLAD
STONE AND,THE WAR OF 1s7O-THE
PANAMA INvESTIGATION-sO
GAL PROBLEMS-LITER-
AIRY TOPICS
lBY CABLE TO THE TRIBUNE.

AIRY TOPICS.
lBY CABLE TO THE rRIBuxE.l
copyright 1892: By The Tribune Association
London, Nov. 26.-The opening of the Imperial
Diet in Berlin on Tuesday marks a crisis and is
probably the signal for general agitation
throughout Germany There has been indeed
great agitation for months with Prince Bismarck
at the head of IT, What the Rechstag will
really do is TO give expression in authoritative
way to feelings which stir all German breasts
The first two sittjngs supplied each sensation
Of its own. The Emperor's speech and the Chan
cellor's speech were of the most serious kind
The best proof of the gravity of the situation is the
absence Of anything like swagger in the very
weighty and even solemn words which are I'M
doubtedly, unlike those Of some other sovereigns
the Emperors own. He had, indeed, no novelty
to propose The outlines of the new Army bill
have long been known, and it has been known
that the Caprivi Administration had made up its
mind to stand or fall by them.
There had been dispute whether the En-
peror, who is soldier before all things, would
assent TO reduction of service with the colors
from three years TO two in consideration of the
large increase proposed in the effective force of
the standing army. Very likely he hestated. but
his adhesion is now complete. He advocates this
increase on the only possible ground. namely.
danger to Germany from the growing military
strength Of France and Russia. He names neither
of those Powers. There is no word of offence
or menace TO anybody. though he has chosen
curious phrase when he alleges that the duty
of Germany to augment her military forces has
become imperative because of the development
of the defensive" power Of other European
States. The French are quick to infer that
Germany would attack. if France had not grown
info no Chancellor
dispes.
Count Won Caprvis speech on Wednesday was.
from every point of view, remarkable. 1t was
able enough 10 furnish Of itself good answer TO
Prince Bismarcks taunts at his successors inca
pacity-abe, not merely as a speech, but in lis
broad view of affairs and in its vigorous handling
OF great issues There was the note of true
craftsmanship in his refusal TO appeal TO panic
in order to carry his bill. He would not as he
said, Jingle his sword. lie declined TO say that
war is in sight. He avOwed that the relations
Of Germany with all other Powers are friendly.
lie disclaimed with emphasis policy of aggression
He discovered himself from that party, if party
there be- which would attack France or Russia
lest France or Russia grow too strong.
But he put before tile Reichstag and Ger
many. more plainly than it has ever been put
before. the tremendous change that has taken
plaoe since 1870 in the relative military strength
~ France and Germany. Should Germany ever
AGAIN cross the French frontier she would meet,
not as before, eight army corps TO her seventeen
"but forces numerically equal if not superior,
splendidiy organized and equipped. with enormous
resrryes behind them" If she defeated Them she
would have next TO deal with series of fornl-
aable fortresses the Moselle and Mcuse, each
stron ger than Strasburg or Metz in 1870. II the
German armies arrived before Paris, neither would
hut. ffiptl ni+
the like of which the world has never seen, with
thirtv-fve forts and an outer line Of defcnces
100 miles in extent" That is picture Of war
PAINTED in fire
Count Won Caprivi is before all things like his
Emperor, soldier, and he has the courage 10
tell his cOuntrymen that even if Germany con
Quered, "Our second state would be far worse
than our first and would involve fresh sacri-
fees far heavier than those we now ask Of
YOU" lie warns them that Russia, also. is
steadily arming, steadily preparing for war, and
plainly for war on her western frontier, where
her best forces are gradually but surely massng.
He owns that he is asking Tor great sacrifices
from an already heavily burdered Nation Fresh
troops mean fresh taxes also. But he repeats in
tone which sounds in spite of himself pro-
phetic that these sacrifices are as nothing com
pared with those resulting from disastrous
war.
The Reichstag received this fateful statement
in silence. II listened to the Chancellor; ap-
plaud him il would not. IL does rot follow that
il NAV not ultimately pass these war bills. the
operation of which would not begin till October.
1893, while not till 1913 would they come into
full effect But behind the Rcichstag IS pubic
oninion and il is too soon yet TO say what public
opinion on this grave matter is. Inc opposition
is very strong. Radical and Socialistic Germany
.n6n
time when the German people had 80 much
Influence on affairs as now. under the most ar
bitrary if not despotic of Empcrors. The "er-
man nress is as cold as the Rcichstag; put uo
sure conclusion can be drawn from 'he oPi'iioi
of the German press at "A gwen mo"eh' U" "
great question Of State. II Is SUBJECT 10 h'ahS
influences other than those OF reason. or even Vi
public opinion ..,,,o
Nor Il German public opinion itself very staoe
or always enlightened IL is critical acaue"'i'
.rd ,o,,io,1sr;st 10 an extraordinary degree
Why should we expect 1t to Dc s'apie' W.
ocr.c,. under ,l5, empire is in its infancy. we
have Just seen "a far greater democracy wiz"
cen,urios and q half of political training Dchihd
f. ,urn poIticaI somcrsiult turn lts PACK OH l'S
own ooinjon bow 10 the Joint bidding OF the poSs'
the iobber. and the college professor; reverse d
settled and successful policy out OF mere lShoIah'
imnatjence and impulse prefer the mario" We"
10 the broad view, and selfish interests 10 'he III
terests Of the Nation. If in America we haNc "
submit % the decrees Of popular iickehesS' we ar
not bound TO approve of them. IL is sun uou"''"A
whether in Germany even submission Is hecce
sary or expedient
Still, this young Emperor has done much 10 I'M
pair the efficiency of the Imperial Principe lie
has insulted and alienated its greatest champion.
Prince Bismarck is to-day appealing from Emperor
to people and Parliament. lie can no longer use
the Emperor as the Instrument Of his pohcy. lie
uses what other forces are available against MN.
H. Z. tl,is A rrnr hill and socms