St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-07-05
The German Reiehstag Opened
by Emperor Wilhelm in
Person.
He Makes the Army Bill the
Subject Of His Adj
dress.
The Fatherland Can Only Be
Preserved by Its Immedi-
ate Passage.
No Other Measures Will Be
introduced by the Gov
eminent.

BERLIN, July 4.-The reichstag was
opened today by Emperor William in
person. At noon the castle guard
marched into the white saloon, which
occupies the southeastern corner of the
royal castle, and took positions around
the dais. from WHICH his majesty was to
read his speech opening the session.
Following the guards came the members
of the bundesrath, the representatives
or the individual states composing the
German empire. After that came
the ministers of state and the men,
bers of the reichStag. When all had
taken the positions assigned to them
the Prince of Pless. grand marshal of
the court, announced the approach Of
the emperor by knocking upon the floor
with his staff of Office. The emperor.
attired in full military uniform, entered
the saloon and proceeded directly TO the
dais, which was erected to the right of
the press gallery. Bowling low, Chan
cellor Won Caprivi handed the manu-
script of the imperial speech to the
emperor. Holding himself erect, his
majesty, in firm and clear voice, read
as follows:
Williams Address.
'Honored Gentlemen: Since you
have been called in common to work
for the federal government, | desire to
welcome you upon entering upon your
deliberations. A bill concerning the
peace footing of the army, which was
submitted to the former reichstag, to
my regret. did not find approval. 1t
was the unanimous conviction, shared
by all my high confederates, that the
empire could no longer afford to re-.
nounce the development of the army
system necessary to guarantee the
future safety of the empire. In face
OF the development of military inStitu-
lions the rejection of the army bill was
bound to lead to the reSOlu ton to dis
solve the reichstag. Since the first in
PRODUCTION of the bill the political situa-
ton i'll Europe has experienced no
change. The relations of the empire
with other powers are perfectly
friendly and free from all clouds.
The proportion of Germany's organ
lied military strength has, however.
changed for the worse during the past
year, when compared with that of our
neighbOrs. II already Germany'S geo.
graphical position and historical deye;-
opmentS lay upon us the duty to main
tain relatively strong army, then a
further Increase in the military strength
of the empire becomes forcible neces-
sity to satisfy the duties laid upon me
by the constitution. | consider that all
the means at our disposal must be util-
lied in order to establish
An Effective Defense
of the fatherIand. You will receive i'm
mediately new bill regarding the
peace footing of the army, in which
there will be taken into account, as far
as possible, certain desires expressed
during the discussion of the late bill.
Consequently, diminished demands are
made upon the personal capacity and
taX-bearlng power of the people as far
as possible without endangering the
efficiency Of the army. The empires
interest required, especially in view of
the end of the septennial next spring,
that the bill be passed with the
utmost dispatch, so that the new re-
cruit calls may be made in the autumn
OF the new basis. Delay would intiu-
ence most unfavOrably our strength tor
more than twenty years. With view
TO enabling you to dedicate undivided
attention TO the discussion of the bill,
the government will not in the mean
and my high confederateS remain
convinced that the means for the new
organization can be procured without
Oyerburdening the country, on the basis
of the financial bill introduced in the
rslchstag last autumn. At the opening
OF the winter session, a bill will be pre-
scented directed to obtaining means ac-
cordlng to the capability of the tax
payers. Until then the increased costs
will be covered by the states through
matricuiation payments.
Must BE Preserved.
Gentlemen: With great sacrifices
Germany has been united in one EN-
pire. Tue nation honors most those
this work which led the Fatherland to
prosperity. To safe guard the glorious
achievements with which God has
blessed us in 0Ur battle for independ-
ence is our most sacred duty. This duty
we can only fulfil if we make ourselves
strong enough to remain surety for
Europe'a peace. l trust you will not
rail TO give Inc and my confederates
your patriotic sacrifices and willing
support i'll striving for these aims"
Tne emperor'S reference to the duty
of the members of the reichstag to pre-
serve and guard that which the nation
has won was greeted with hearty cheers.
When the emperor had concluded his
written speech loud and prolonged APP
pIauSe greeted him. His majesty stood
waiting for quiet to be restored, and
when he could be heard, he added few
improvised remarks, saying:
Now then, go. The old God looks
upon you, and will lend you his blessing
TO complete this honest work for the
benefit of tee fatherland. Amen"
The Bavarian minister called for
three cheers for the emperor, and they
were given with hearty good will.
The uniform worn by the emperor was
that of the Gard du Corps. The men,
bers of the Social Democrat and Radical
Peoples party and some of the anti
SemiteS were not present at the cere-
mOny of opening the house. Most of the
members of the Center or Catholic
party were present, and there was full
attendance OF the government groups.
1t has been almost decided that the
reichstag shall elect Herr Won StorstaI, |
Conse rvative, PRESIDENT; Baron Won
Bulow, Clerical, vice president, and
Prof. Won Marquarden, National Lib
eral, second vice president.