St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-11-24
Answered BISMARCK
tag on Behalf Of the
Army Bill.
Archives Drawn Upon to An
SWer a Statement OF
Bismarck S.
The First Open Answer on the
Part Of the Govern
ment.
1t Is Believed Bismarck Will
Take His Seat in the
Reiehstag.

BERLIN, Nov. 23.-ChancelIor Caprlvi
addressed the reichstag today in behalf
of the army bill He said that the gov
eminent proposed the bill, we'll know
ing the dangers the empire that would
be involved in, should the bill be re-
jected. The government had been dis
cussing the proposed changes for nearly
three years, and every year of delay was
year irrevocably lost.
"Our relations with other nations"
said the chancellor, ''are normal. No
body menaces us, and we menace no
body. We abhor preveptiole war. We
do not desire the smallest piece OF
French territory. The next war, should
war unfortunately break out, will be
much more difficult, because the Freuch
army and fortresseS, especially Paris,
are in much better condition than III
1870. Germany's condition after such a
war, even if followed by twenty-five
years of peace, would be infinitely
more intoleraple than now"
Chancellor Caprivi continued: "The
house is doubtless aware Of the public
Indignation excited by the avowal of
PRINCE Bismarck that he had forged a
dispatch from Ems in 1870, with view
of preciptating war between France
and Germany. In order that the house
and country might judge OF the ac-
curacy Of the statement, the foreign
Office has furnished TO me from the
archives q telegram from Privy Coun-
cilor Abeken to Prince Bismarck, dated
July Is. 1870, stating that his majesty,
NIai, ftF Dll-
trusive behavior OF the French anbaS-
sador OH the promenade, and also
A letter Of His Majesty,
ordering Privy Councillor Abeken to
telegraph to Baron de Werther that his
majesty was indignant at the imputa-
lions of the Due dc GramOnt and OF the
French ambassador. .Benedettl, III re-
gard to his (the king's) conduct, and
that his majesty reserved 10 himself the
right to take further steps.
"These facts" added the chancellor,
''prove that his majesty, the late king
and emperor, was not the old weakllng
that Prince Bismarck has been lately
suggesting, and also prove that Ger
many in 1870 did its utmost in the dlrec-
ton OF cOnciliation."
This statement the chancellor caused
decided sensation i'll the relchStag, be-
ing the fist open ana OIncial answer on
the part of the government to Prince
Bismarck charges. 1t is believed tina
Prince Bismarck Will accent the chal
lenge and take his seat In thu reichStag
to answer Caprvi.
Chancellor Caprivi urged the position
of France as a reason why the army
bill should be passed. The great par
ties in France" ne said, do not recog-
nize the peace Of Frankfort. The car
is the strongest guarantee of peace, but
there is a cer,ai uhcds.ne,S between
the two nations which must be taken
into account We have made all efforts
to preserve the tie binding us
to Russia. The relations of Russia and
France have doubtless been growing
intimate for two years past. We must
be prepared for fighting, in case OF war,
on two fronts, and we are not now pre-
pared. We have lost the military SUI
premacy of Europe since 1870, because
the vanqushed always prepare for war
more ardenlly than the yictors. We
rely on our allies, but we must endure
the chief burden OF preparation, be
cause neither Austria nor Italy have to
fight Oh two fronts"