Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1893-11-22
SEES NO WAR CLOUD.
Pacific Expressions of Emperor William II
His Address to the R0ichStag.

His Address to the R9GhStag.
BERLIN, Nov. 16.-Emperor William
formally opened the Reichstag to-day
and made speech of great interest to
Germany and to those interested in
German affairs. After prayers the
members of the Reichstag assembled in
the white hail of the old castle, where
the Emperor, attended by his suite and
by the high officials of state and the
court officials, soon after entered. Only
about 80 members of the Reich
stag were present at the OPEN
ing. The members of the fed
eral council, headed by Chancellor
Won Caprivi called for three cheers for,
the Emperor. The latter bowed in re-
ply. He then read his speech, which
was heard in all parts Of the hall. The
passage in the Emperor's address.
which related to foreign affairs was
loudly applauded. At the conclusion
of the Emperor's remarks, Chancellor
Won Caprivi declared the session of the
Reichstag opened and the ceremony
closed with renewed cheers for the
Emperor. The Emperor's address was,
as follows:
HoNoRED GENTLEMEN: When in July of
this year | assembled you about me, | gave,
expression to my confidence that you would
not refuse me and my exalted allies your CO.
operation in giving to our army system the
development demanded in the interest of
the empire security Irejoice that my con-
tidence was not disappointed, and while I
welcome you to-day, | feel it incumbent
upon me to express to the Reichstag
my imperial thanks for its patriotic
willingness. The manifold proofs of warm
sympathy, over which we have had occa-
sion to rejoice during the last few months in
different parts of the empire, are to me
pledge OF the greatest satisfaction felt by the.
nation that the German army has obtained
organization in which is to be found a
guarantee Of protection for the fatherland
and for the preservation Of peace. 1t will
now be your chief task to make provision
in associated labor with allied governments
for procuring the means required to meet.
increased needs arising out of the
addition made to the peace effective Of the
army. The proposals which will be sub
mitted to you in this connection rest on the
broad foundation involving a fresh settle
ment OF the financial relations Of the en-
pire with it's members.
The financial administration Of the en-
pire has not yet been finally regulated in the
sense Of the imperial constitution. Expert
ence has hitherto proved that the settlement
between the empire and the individual
financial system of the empire must be built
in such way thatwhile the present fluctua-
tons are ended, the empires demands upon
the several states are placed in permanent
proportion to the sums payable by or to the
states, and a share fixed by law in the
revenue of the empire itself must be secured
to the individual states for a considerable
period. Such arrangement, harmOnizing
with the federative form Of our state sys--
tenn, will secure the undisturbed co-opera-
ton Of the empire and the several states,
and without impairing the right of the,
Reichstag will greatly facilitate the financial
administration.
To this end bill will be submitted pro-
vldlng for Encouragement Of the financial
system to the empire; and to furnish the,
funds required under this reform, bills Will
be presented relating to the taxation of to-
baccO and wine and the levying Of imperial
stamps.
1 have no doubt but that your devoted.
cooperation will succeed in accomplishing
this momentous task, and i'll consideration
Of the present financial condition of the
empire the budget has drawn up with the
utm Ost regard for economy.
The expectation, cherished at the time of
the conclusion of the commercial treaties
between the empire and AustrO-Hungary,
Italy, Belgium and Switzerland, that they
also would form a connecting point for the.
regulation by treaty Of our commercial re-
latiOns with other states, has since been full
filled IN so far that we have succeeded in ar
ranging new commercial treaties with
Spain, Roumania and Servia on a basis ere
ated by those conventions. Treaties with
those countries giving to our trade the de-
sired stability and possibility of prosperous
expansion will be submitted for your sane
ton in accordance with the constitution.
In accord with my exalted allies, / find
myself obliged to raise the Russian import,
duties to an exceptional degree and Ordi-
nances issued by me will be Immediately
communicated to you. | indulge in the
hope that the course of the pending nego-
tiations with Russia will lead to the abroga-
ton of these measures.
Thanks to the vigorous efforts of the al
lied governments, the devastating epidemic.
which in 1892 claimed heavy and painful
sacrifices, has since then been kept at a dis
lance. Where isolated cases occurred a.
spread of the disease has been successfully
prevented To turn to more effectual ac-
count experience gained and to make the
prevention permanent and uniform is the
purpose Of bill which will be submitted to,
you.
The accomplishment of the tasks i'm
posed upon you in the domain of financial
and political economy makes such large
demands upon your powers of work that
the allied governments have deemed it eX-
pedient to restrict SO far as possible, bills
upon other matters.
In the relations between Germany and
foreign countries there has been no change;
while the close friendship with the empires
allied to us for the purpose of pursuing
common, peaceful objects, continues we
stand on good and friendly relations with
all the powers; and | therefore cherish the
confident hope that with Gods help the
blessings of peace may still continue to be