The Indianapolis journal., 1893-11-17
THE KAISER SPEAKS
He Opens the Richstag with an
Address to the Members,
And Urges the Necessity of Raising
Money to Meet Increased Army EX-
penses-Anarchist Outrage.


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 Hall of the old cas-
tie, where the Emperor. attended by his
suite and by the high officials of state and
the court officials, soon after entered. Only
about 150 members of the Reichstag were
present. The members of the Federal
Council, headed by Won Caprivi, called for
three cheers for the Emperor The latter
bowed in reply and read his speech, which
was heard in all parts of the hail. The pass
age in the Emperors address which related
to foreign affairs was loudly applauded.
The Emperor spoke from the dais as fol-
lows:
"Honored Gentlemen-When in July of
this year L assembled you about me L gave
expression to my confidence that you would
not refuse me and my exalted allies your
cooperation in giving to our army system
the development demanded in the interest of
the empire security. l rejoice that my con-
ndence was not disappointed, and, while I
welcome you on your meeting to-day, L feel
IT incumbent upon me to express TO the
Reichstag my imperial thanks for its patri-
otfc willingness. The manifold proofs of
warm sympathy over which we have had
occasion to rejoice during the last few
months in different parts OF the empire are
by the nation that the German army has OBJ
tanned organization in which is to be found
a guarantee of protection for the fatherland
ana 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 re-
CURED 10 meet increased needs arising out
OF the addition made to the peace effective
OF the army The proposals which will be
submitted TO you in this connection rest on
the board foundation involving a fresh set
uement OF the financial relations of the en-
pire with its members. The financial ad-
Ininistration of the empire has not yet been
nnally regulated in the sense of the i'm
perlal constitution. Experience has hither-
TO proved that the settlement between the
empire and the individual states cannot be
postponed and longer. The financial sys-
tenn of the empire must be built in such q
way that while the present fluctuations are
ended, the empires demands upon the sew
eral states are placed in permanent proper
ton to the sums payable by or to the
states, and q share fixed by law in the
revenue OF the empire itself must be secured
TO the individual states for a considerable
period. Such arrangements, 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 1npairing the rights OF the
Reichstag, will greatly faciiirare the finan-
cial administration. To this end a bill will
be submitted providing for the rearrange-
ment of the financial system OF the empire
and, to furnish the funds required under
this REFORM bills will be presented relating
10 the taxation of tobacco and wine and
the levying of imperial stamps dues.
have no doubt that your devoted co-opera-
ton Will succeed in accomplishing this
momentous task and in consideration of the
present financial position of the empire, the
imperial budget has been drawn up with
the utmost regard for economy.
THE expectation that was 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
since been fulfilled in so far that we have
succeeded in arranging commercial
treaties with Spain, Roumania and Servia
on a basis created by those conventions.
Treaties with those countries giving to our
trade the desired stability and possibility
of prosperous expansion will be submitted
for your sanction in accordance with the
Constitution In accord with my exalted
allies find myself obliged to raise the Rus
sian import duties to an exceptional de-
gree, and ordinances issued by me will be
Immediately communicated to you. | in
dulge In the hope that the course of the
pending negotiations with Russia will lead
to the abrogation of these measures.
Thanks to the vigorous efforts of the
allied governments, the devastating epi-
demic which in 1892 claimed heavy and pain
full sacrifices has since then been kept at a
distance 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 a bill which will be submitted
to YOU
1.-The accomplishment of the tasks i'm
posed on you i'm the domain of financial and
political economy make such large demands
upon your powers of work that the allied
governments have deemed it expedient TO
restrict, far possible, bills upon other
matters. In the relations between Ger
many 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 con-
tinues. We stand on good and friendly re-
lations with all the powers, and /, there
fore, cherish the confident hope that with
Gods help the blessings OF peace may still
continue to be preserved to us"
At the conclusion of the Emperor's re-
marks Chancellor Won Caprivi declared the
session of the ReichStag opened, and the
ceremony closed with renewed cheers for
the Emperor.
The ceremony of administering the oath
of allegiance to the req ditS OF the Berlin,
Spandau, Charlottenberg and Llchterfelt
garrisons took place at l oclock this after
noon. In his address to the recruits the
Emperor said: ''You have just sworn al
legiance to me I'm the presence of God. You
thus at the same moment became my sol
diers and my comrades. You have the honor
of belonging to my guard and of being sta
toned in and around my residence at the
capital You are called upon first to pro-
tect me against foreign and internal foes
Be faithful and don't forget that your
honor is mine"