The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-06-22
ON PRUSSIAN POLITICS
DR MIQUEL, MINISTER ROF FINANCE,
TALhS ON THE sfTU4TION.
lie saws IL is Poss be That the Government
through sklliui Management May
Evolve an Army Bill Majority.

BERLIN, June 21.-The reporter in this
city Of the United Press to-day had an
interview with Or. Johannes Miguel,
frussian Minister Of Finance. in regard
to the political situation. Or. Miguel is
one OF the foremost statesmen not only
OF Prussia, but Of the Empire, and he
mas been more than once mentioned as
the probable successor of Chancellor Won
| Capryi, when the latter makes up his
mind to retire from Office. Dr. Miguel
was frank in his utterances regarding
the significance Of the late elections. He
said the ballotting hitherto had proved
that generally .the intelligent classes
were I'm favor Of the Army bill as pro-
posed by the Government Among these
classes, however, there was one eXcep-
ton. This was the class or political sec
ton that is under the influence of the
Roman Catholic Church-that is, the Cen
tre party. DR.. Miguel added that he
did not mean TO imply that this party
was unpatriotic, but he did believe that
their cOnsciences had been overruled
through the confessional. 1t was an un-
disputed fact that a powerful party at
the Vatican is strongly against the
strengthening Of the German army. This
party works secretly against the bill
In speaking Of the campaign. DR.. MIGUEL
said the most remarkable feature of 1t
was the completeness Of the wiping out
Of the candidates of the Richterists Of
Radical Peoples party II would be
great pity. he said. If Herr Richter. the
leader Of the faction. should be personally
excluded from the Rechstag by the re-
suit Of the bye-electlon that is necessary
in his constituency.
Or. Miguel showed his broad-minded-
ness by his references 10 Herr Richter.
who is his political opponent. He praised
Herr Richter's parliamentary ability and
said that among other things that he
was a most clever speaker. though his
ideas did not always bear fruit.
With reference 90 the position Of the
Army bin. Dr. Miguel said 70 was possi
bic that rne Government through skilful
management would evolve majority
This majority would. iu his opinion. be
obtained on agrarian lines against the
Socialist Radical and Particularst min
ority.
Or. MIGUEL declared that ne deeply re-
GREETED that the fact that the newspapers
supporting the Governmcne had been too !
assiduOus i'm attacking and blackenng Or. |
Lieber. one of the Centrist leaders. who |
had voted against the Army BILL and |
who led the Centrist faction that so much |
opposed 10 the measure. lie had known |
Dr. Lieber for years he said, and knew |
that ne was quite tractahle and open. |
In speaking of the many political divisions |
that have sprung mp since the dissolution |
of the Reichstag. DR. Miguel said that he |
was quite convinced that the present or |
ganizatiOns would soon disappear. lie |
held that the decadence of the Centre !
party would cause the supply Of an inn |
pOrtant addition TO the new groups that /
would support the Government. 1t will |
thus be seen that the context of the in |
terview that Dr. MIGUEL is sanguine OF |
the ultimate adoption Of the Army bill. |
even though the election, and by the cleo |
ti0n the result in the return Of a majority |
against the measure. He believes that |
this result will be obtained By the making |
Of concessions TO the various groups and /
thus forming a Cartel party that will
throw a very decisive vote In support Of
the Government demand for strengthen
ing the military power of the Empire.
When questioned as TO the number Of
members of the Reichstag, who, aside
from the regular Government supporters !
might be induced by various concession
10 vote for Government measures, Or.
Miguel said he thought the Government
might evolve out of more than two hun
dred Conservative deputies Il solid work
ing majority. This could be done, he
thought on a platform Of moderate
agrarian protection.