St. Paul daily globe., 1893-05-05
CAPRIVI'S HARD FIGHT.
Germany's Chancellor Making a
Gallant Effort to- Pass the
Army Bill.
Kaiser William Will Dissolve the
Keichstag If 1t Is De-
feated.

BERLIN, May 4.-The discussion Of
the army bill was continued in the reich
stag today. Herr Richter, leader of the
Deutsche Freisinnige party, declared
that the party would not accept the COM
promise agreed upon by Freiherr Won
Huene. The theory of the imperial
chancellor, said Herr Richter, to the
effect that the military strength of Ger
many should be as great as the pOpula-
ton of Germany permitted, was un-
tenable. 1t meant a doubling of
military forces of Germany and it
meant the putting of the empire on the
high road 10 being mlitaryiZed. as
Prussia already was. Yet Prussia"
continued Herr Richter, ''iS unable to
provide a few hundred thousands for
educational and scientific purposes,
while the military swallows a million"
Here the speaker was interrupted by
loud applause on the part of the OPP
pOnentS of the army bill, accompanied
by uproar and cries of dissent on the
part of its supporters. Facing those
who dissented from his utteranceS Herr
Richter exclaimed: what is the use of
patriotism to Il man with nothing to
eat?'
Upon the conclusion of Herr Richter's
attack upon the army bill. Chancellor
Won Caprivi, who mad listened calmly
to the FreiSinnige leaders arguments
against the measure, proceeded to the
tribune and delivered a calm ana un-
passionate reply to his opponent. The
chancellor declared that the increase in
the peace effective agreed upon was
absolutely essential to safeguard the
empire. The government, he SAID,
would adopt the proposal of Frelherr
Won Huene, and would use it as plank
in their electoral platform, should the
dissolution of the reichstag become un-
avOidable.
Herr Bebel, the social Democrat
leader, repeated the arguments of Herr
Richter. Herr Bebel solemnly warned
Chancellor CapTivi against what lie
termed a revolution from above. If"
exclaimed Herr Bebel, ''the government
should attempt such revolution, the
people of Germany will quickly reply
with revolution from below"
After the debate in the reichstag was
adjourned numerous party caucuses
were held. Chancellor Caprivi went
away from the session in good humOr,
as seceders from the Freisinnige party
continued to vote with Freiherr Won
Huene, and if he can secure twelve
votes from the Center, the chancellor
counts upon small majority for the
bill. On the other hand, the Alsatian
deputies have arrived in full force,
vowing that they will vote against the
bill. The reichsland of AlSace-L Lorraine
is represented IL the reichstag by fifteen
deputies.
rhe deep interest which the emperor
feels in the issue is shown by an incl
dent which has caused much comment
1t appears that the emperOr's visit to
Chancellor Caprivi last night was made
after midnight. Everybody had retired
to bed when the emperor went to tho
cnancellor'S residence, and caused him
to be rung up for consultation about
the army bill. At the meeting of the
bundesrath, or federal council. today
Chancellor CapriYi announced tnat
the emperor had signed tho
rescript dssolving the reichstag and
was only awaiting the rejection Of tho
army bill TO prOmulgate. the reScript,
Count Won Preysing- -Lichtenegg MoOS
has resigned the leadership of the Cler'
ieals, to which he was elected yesterday
after the resignation of Count Won Bal'
lestrem. His reason is that he feels un,
equal to the task of guiding the Clericals
through the present crisis. Count Alfred
Won H0mpesch, member for the Fourth
Aachen district, has been elected in mis-
room. The caucus was exceedingly
stormy. The supporters OF treiherr Won
Huene spoke strongly against the attl-
tude of the majority. 1t is said that
twelve members of the party are ready
10 vote for the compromise.