The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-12-11
THE GERMAN ARMY BILL

BERLIN, Dec. 10-The reichstag today
began the debate on the first reading of
the army bill. The war masters OF Prus-
sia, Bavaria, Saxony and Wurtemburg
were present in the house.
General Won misunderstanding, minis
ter of war, who introduced the army bill
in the relchstag for its first reading, de-
clared that Germany must be prepared to
enter at any moment into Il final war,
which would dwarf all preceding wars IN
the magnitude of the forces engaged and
of the issues to be decided. 1t WAS impera-
tive that eyOry man in Germany able to
bear arms should be ready TO respond
when called upon to do so. The bill was
a measure of supreme necessity and de
manded no sacrifice that the patriotism OF
the nation should not be willing to grant
and no sacrifice greater than what other
nations were making in the prepaI alton
for the mighty struggle that might at any
time begin. 1t was in obedience 10 the
supreme need'of Germany for that strug-
gle that the bill had been prepared and the
government hoped and expected that 1t
would receive the support of everyone in
terested in maintaining the Integrity OF
the fatherland and in defending those ad-
yantages which it had cost so mucn of
German blood and German energy TO OBJ
tain.
Major Won Hoyngin- Huene, a member OF
the Center party, announced that the
Ceutrists were willing to concede the re-
duction of year in the time or service,
but were not prepared to Increase the
strength of the standing army. He admit
ted that the measure would be hailed by the
country as adding TO the defensive strength
OF the empire. and probably even as lead
ing to the alleviatlon of the economic sit
uatiou.
Herr Richter said that the Freisininge
party would grant whatever funds neces-
sarY for the Introduction Of the system OF
two years service, but he added that the
chancellor would have to apply to more
compliant reiehstag than the present one
to obtain demands beyond that. He con-
tended that the bill would raise the extra
ordinary budget to the extent OF 100000
900 marks. The two years service system,
he said, was desirable, but to Increase the
mum Der at such a cost was unnecessary.
The chancellor's response was mainly
directed at Herr Richter. and his language
was sarcastic He said that Herr Richter
was scarcely in position TO offer a reliable
opinion on the details of the military sys-
tenn.
so convinced am l." said the chAncel-
lor, ''of the necessity of the bill for tue
continued existence OF Germany that II
the reichstag wished to throw upon me its
own responsibility would TRANQUILITY ac-
cept it"
This statement was greeted with cheers.
Continuing. the chancellor said: by
the provisions of the bill 90, oJ0 young men
would be yearly added TO the army, so
that in few years 450, 900 more men would
be ready to take the field against hostile
army" The chancellor appealed TO the
house not TO thFow the country into con-
fusion by refusing the measure.
The address was favoraDiy received.
The utterances OF General Won kalten-
boru-Stachan in regard to the almost GER
tainty OF great European war al m early
date evidently produced a profound i'm
preston, as confirming the predictions Of
Chancellor you Capriyi on the same sub
ject.
Freher Won Manteuffel, who spoke in
behalf os the Conservatives. said that his
party would vote for the bill. The army
would not suffer through the proposed H.
crease in mum bers and a rsOgg gtu.ZtTICn.
The general opinion after the house sd-
jOurned was that the bill would pass the
irsJ reading by q good majority.