The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-02-19
TOPICS OF THE FATHERLAND

The Army Bill, Csprivis "Dickers," and the
Revolt of the Agrarians.
BERLIN. Feb 1&-Tbe action of the army
bill committee on Thursday in rejecting
the two years service clause has by
no means finally settled the question at
Issue. Chancellor Won Caprivi privately
declares that the committees action will
not prejudice the decision of the Reichstsg.
The government relies upon the fact that
the two years term is so much APP
proved by the mass of the electors
that they will not permit the
Reichstag to reject the opposition offer of O
two years term. if made Il permanent law.
Chancellor Won Caprivl continues to give
pledges to apply tho law practically for
two years. but he insists that the govern
ment shall retain the option to apply
it for the three years limit. So the POSI-
ton rests. The committee Will resume its
labors Monday, when DR.. Lieber viii an
nOunce that the Centrists will support q
compromise granting the peace anu war
standards demanded by the government
for five years.
Chancellor Won Caprivi and the leaders of
the Center party. 1t is reported that the
government offers to readmit the Jesuits to
GERMANY and to promote Prussian school
law making religious instruction OF chill
dren compulsory.
The popular agitation in favor the army
bill is becoming acute throughout the en-
pirc. Professor Delbruck to-day presided
at an enthusiastic meeting In Berlin, at
tended by 1000 representatives of art,
science and industry. at which resolutions
were adopted demanding that the Reichs-
tag effect an agreement with the govern.
ment on the army bill. Similar resolutions
have been adopted at meetings held in all
the chief industrial centers of Germany.
The revolt of the agrarian party in the
ReichstaR and Landtag against Chancellor
Won Caprivps commercial treaties policy has
been Oratorically violent. but so far with
out practical result. The main tenance of
the policy which he initiated is neces-
a"ry to the Chanceiior's political existence
The past weeks DEVELOPMENTS disclosed
unexpected strength and earnestness
on the part of the agrarians. The debates
in Parliament were prelude to great
agricultural CONGRESS which opened to-day
in Tivoli Hall. Berlin. Nearly four thou
sand delegates. representing all parts Of
the empire. were present on the opening
of the congress- The windows of the
meeting hall were thrown open in Or
der that q dense mass Of people outside
by the speakers Vlvacity aud eager inter-
est in the subjects discussed characterized
the vast audience. Herr Won Ploetz. III his
opening address. referred to the depression
in agriculture and ended with call for
cheers for the Kaiser and tor
the German princes The assem-
blage further testified to it's
loyalty by resolving TO telegraph its greet
ings to the Kaiser. Then q resolution was
carried by acclamation. which, while de-
claring that the farmers of Germany were
prepared to make any sacrifice that would
tend to secure the military strength
of the empire. affirmed that CONNER
clal treaties concluded with foreign
countries jeopardized the existence
of agriculture at home and that the con-
ceding of further advantages to foreign
imports would do intolerable injury to
home industry, and the Reichstag was
therefore besoughr to refuse to assent to
further reductions of customs duties, while
bearing in mind theexpediency of fostering
the expectation of German produce.
Rome Filled with Pilgrims.
ROME, Feb. lathe city presents an an
imated appearance with the large hosts of
,,;Icr;,ns vbo hova arrivad io,p -,