Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-07-15
THEY FEAR SOCIALISM.
Arguments Against Reducing tht
Term of Military Service.
A SPEECH BY HERBERT BISMARCK.
He Thinks Socialism Gould Be
Eradicated Among the Recruits
During the Third Year of Ser
vice - Socialism Exists in All
Grades of the Military Service.


day on the amendment TO the Army bill
offered yesterday by Prince Henry Zu
Carolath -Schoenaich, providing that two
years service system be fixed legally. The
amendment was defeated by a large ma
Iority, the vote standing ga against the
motion 10 l05 in favor Of il.
During the debate on article one'of sec
tion two of the bill, which was started by
Herr Groeber, member of the Centre
part, Count Herbert Bismarck made a
speech that aroused general interest.
This section relates to the formation Of IN
fantry, cavalry and artillery. When
Count Herbert arose movement
denotlng interest was visible through
out the house. he declared
that he was satisfied with the adaptation
of the bill, though he was opposed 10 the
two years service system, because the
Socialists, through the short term service,
might corrupt the army. His fears were
mostly for the young men from the towns,
most OF whom were Socialists. There
would not be time In two years 10 eXpel the
Social poison from the recruits.
At this point Count Herbert was inter
rupted by cries OF "Zur sache."
Continuing, Count Herbert said that the
third year OF service would serve as re-
formatory school.
This remark caused a great uproar,
which for time Herr Won Leyetsow, the
president, was unable to quell.
Silence was finally obtained and Count
Herbert proceeded with his speech. He
explained that he voted for the bill because
the Gov ernment had not fixed two years IN
the permanent term Of service He added
that Chancellor Won Csprivi's original bill
WAS better one than the Huen compromise
measure now before the House.
This statement drew forth cheers from the
Conservatives.
Chancellor Won Caprivi followed Count
Herbert He said be was sorry 10 see that
Count Herbert had based his argument on
wrong premises. The infantry had not
performed three years service for long
time, and therefore no such great change
was proposed by the present bill. The two
years system would be carried through
without the dangers Count Herbert feared.
Count Herbert frequently interrupted
the Chancellor, who AT last appealed 10
Herr Won Levetzow. The latter called
Count Herbert 10 order. The Chancellor
then proceeded. He said he doubted that
man poisoned with Socialism would re-
form In the third year OF service. The
present custom retained only the worst sol
diers for over two years. Did Count Her
bert, he asked, mean 10 retain only the So
cialists for the third year.
Herr Bebel, one Of the leaders Of the
Social Democrats, said that in listening TO
Count Herbert Bismarck the House had
heard the father speaking through mis- son.
The great father had been unable 10 kill
Social Democracy, and still less was the son
able to do so. Socialism, Herr Bebel said,
was a living and growing force that gov
ernments would have 10 reckon with one
way or the other. With regard TO Social
ism permeating the army through the two
years service system, he could tell the
government that the permeation had al
ready been effected.
From the ranks upward socialism had its
adherents. He could give an instance OF a
South German infantry regiment In which
most OF the man and all OF the suo-oftcers
were socialists. He could also mention
North German pioneer regiment which
had assisted the Social Democrats 70 So
cure meeting place when all the civilians
in the locality had boycotted them. In
tones OF triumph, Herr Bebel concluded :
1--WE exist. You will not be able TO get RID
of US except by killing US"
Herr Bebel's remarks caused q most de-
cided sensation.
Later in the discussion OF article two
Count Herbert Bismarck planted himself
before the chair occupied by the Chancel-
lor and said he desired to correct state
ment made by the Chancellor In reference
10 article one OF the bill by quoting from
the report Of the committee OF the last
Reichstag.
This gave rise TO another uproar, and
while the House was in confusion Herr Won
Levetzow reminded Count Herbert that
the article on which be wished 10 comment
had been passed by the House.
"Yes," Count Herbert retorted, "out you
gave me leave 70 speak"
But not for re-opening the debate" said
Herr Won Levetzow.
Count Herbert then returned 10 his
seat amid a storm Of howls from the Social
Democratic and Richterist members.
Toward the close Of the discussion Count
Herbert apologized 70 Chancellor Won
Capriyi for irritating him oy his interrup-
tions.
The Chancellor bowed his acceptance OF
the apology.