Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-01-15
PRACTICALLY SAFE.
THE GERMAN ARMY BILL
MUCH STRENGTHENED.
Capriyi's Speech Was Powerful
and Standardization
Responds.
- ,,n.rionn cnble to thc Dlspatch.l

Responds.
IBy Aaglo-American cable to the Dispatchl
BERLIN. January 1.-THE opposition
is now beginning TO admit that the army
bill has O fair chance Of passing IN the
Reicbstaq. The members Of the Frei-
sinnIge Ta~ty and the Centrlsts publicly
declare that the speech of Chancellor
Won Capriyi before the Reichstag, de-
IIyored on Wednesday last, has not IN
INV way altered the situation, but the
general tone Of Parliamentary circles
shows decidedly that the Chancellors
forccful presentation OF the govern
,nopt's demands and the reasons for
them has created a strong impress
sion. It's generally conceded that the
Ch0ncellOr's speech was a most powerful
and skjlful plea for united action'on the
part OF all the German parties IN a mat
tor thatinvolves the safety OF the ather-
land. His speech was an appeal to the
patriotism OF the country, and notWlth-
standing the statements made by some
members Of the Keichstag, it IS believed
that it will have not been made IN vain.
PROPOSALS FOR COMPROMISE.
Although the attack made in com
mittee upon the Chancellor by herr
Richter showed no sign OF any abate-
mcnt in the hostility entertained by DIS
party for the measure, many OF the
itrcisinnlge party desire to come TO an
catcptc with the government among
the proposals relating TO the bill de-
scribcd In the Hobbies to-day was one
that was received with favor by the OPP
position. This was a suggestion that
the new organization OF the army
should not he enforced immediately
npon the bills becoming law, but that
the changes proposed should extend
over several years in execution. with
this concession granted by the govern
mcut. the Reichstag could vote the first
instalment necessary to the reorganlla-
ton and pledge itself to Rccede to the
other instruments within fixed time.
THE GOVERNMENT MAJoRTT.
In the official circle the question now
is not whether the government will get
majority, bat how,larse the majority
will be. The Centre party, winch hes
been silently opposed to the measure, IS
obviously weakening, and 1t is only the
section led 10y Or. Lieber that Is feared
by the government. The National
Liberals, Conservatives, and Free Con
seryatIyes will abandon their pretended
independence, and already they are pre-
parlng 10 swallow the whole bill II they
are required TO do 50. a number OF the
Freisinpige party who differ from Herr
Richter are likely to absent themselves
when division is taken on the measure.
All things considered, the bill seems
practically safe.
CAPRIyI'S SPEECH ABROAD.
The effect Of the Chaucellor's speech
abroad is eagerly watched here. Ic!e-
Grams from 1t. Petersburg received to-
day state that the Chancellor's words
made the worst sort Of an impression
there. owing TO the want Of accord be-
tween his utterauces before the com
mittee and lis previous pacific dccla.
rations. which were recently received
through tho German embassy. The
tenor Of these latter remarks influenced
the Cars decision 10 send the Caro-
witch as his representative t. the mar
rage Of Princess Margaret The re-
vulsion Of friendly feeling entertained
for the German government will be IN
tense unless Chancellor Won Capru
officially explains his remarks regarding
Russia and Denmark.
The speech is hailed at Vienna anG
Buda-Pesth as establishing greater con-
fidence on the part Of the Austrian
government in Won Capriyl than was
ever felt before.
AGAINST BUREAUCRACY.
A movement that has been inauFu-
rated against the privileges enjoyed by
bureaucracy Is stirring the middle
classes Of russia Prussisn officials.
whose number Is legion, are exempt
from any taxation except an income fax.
Outside Of the ollice-hOlding class tins
is believed to he an injustice, and meet
inCs have been held IL DOrtmund, Barr
men, Cologne, and Hanover TO protest
against the exemption. Resolutions
we're adopted demanding that the gov
eminent as speedily as possible abolish
the privileges Of the buGeaucrats and
cqualile taxation.
As the first step toward a Eusso-Gor-
man commercial entente the st. Peters
burg government Is about to cancel tho
decree prohibiting Russian railway COM
panics from buying material abroad.
The iron and steel trades OF Germany
expect to benefit Immediately 10y the
revocation Of the decree.