The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-11-24

BERLIN. Nov. 23.--The long lookcd-for
event OF the present session OF the
Reichstag occurred to-day. Tho army
bill was introduced by Chancellor Won
Caprivi, who made most important
speech uponthe relationsot France and
Germany. He said he did not intend
to Justify the bill by referring to war
in sight or by indulging in gloomy fore
bodings. lie added;
81 will disclose the whole truth, We
are at pecce with all nations, and en-
counter no difficulty in any quarter in
maintining the dignity oil the nation.
His majesty, the emperor, has justly
remarked that Heligoland was the last
piece OF the globe We desired to acquire.
Germany will not provoke war, Tor
there is no prize to gain By victory but
neither will she undertake 10 prevent
war any moro than she did"
The chancellor then referred to the
alleged forgery by Prince Bismarck OF
the famous Ems dispatch, which pre-
read the genuine dispatch.
The chancellor also read the draft
Prince Bismarck prepared, which ap.
peared in the North German Gdteste OF
July IS, 1870.
Chancellor Ven Caprivi declared EN-.
phatically that Prince Bismarck had
not falsifed the dispatch. and that 1t
was untrue that King William was too
conciliatory or had not struck the
proper note in dealing with France.
King William, he said, even as late as
July /, 1871, had dispatch sent TO the
German minister at Paris, intimating
that he was indignant at the Due Dc
Cramment's demand, addressed TO him
through n. Bonodetti, and reserved any
further steps. The whole Of Europe
was Of the same opinion as Germany at
that time, as shown by Mr.. Gladstone,s
declaration and Prince Gortchakotl's
dispatch to the Russian ambassador.
~ refer to these matters" said Chan
celIor Won Capriyi, ''iu order to show
that Germany did not play a provoca..
tive part. The French love wars and
glory, and the more complete their
armaments tho stronger grows their self
consciousness and desire 70 oeonclude an
alliance naturally not for defensive pur.
poses, but with view to revision OF
the map OF Europe.
Chancellor Won Caprivi's speech waG
greeted with loud applause by the sup
port OF the government.
Referring to Russo-G German relations,
the chancellor said: friendship has
existed between Germany and Rusaia
for centuries past, and the Emperor
Alexander himself was an important
parsonage in the maintenance OF these
friendly relations. The present Car is
one OF the noblest-minded and most
peaceful of monarchs, and appreciates
the peaceful and loyal policy OF Ger
many. There are in Russia, however,
hostile currents working against uS,
which since the successful achievement
German arms and diplomacy, have
risen above the interests OF Russia.
Yet it must not be concluded because
Russia is developing her army, that
war is imminent. We must assume from
hor preparations that Russia's next war
will be to the westward.
"Those preparationsnrouse noanxiety
at present, but they might constitute n
danger to us. Germany has lost her
military supremacy since 1870, not by
the fault OF the government or OF the
army, or Of the Reichstag, but because
tho conqueror is less inclined to make
sacrifices than the conquered. Our
neichbors have increased their military
strength in an undemonstrative manner
and only after recourse to make shifta.
But while slow, their course has been
steady and sure"
The chancellor then proceeded to ex-
plain the proposed reform in the mill
tary service, the regulations OF which
did not operate so as to affect all equal
ly and caused efforts to be made TO
eyade the service. "In point Of num-
bers," said he. "our army Is ahead OF
any other nations and we have the best
commissioned ana non-commissioned
officers and men, but We fail in organi-
goNfnN "