The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-07-06
THE KAISER'S SPEECH.

The speech of the Emperor William at
the opening of the Reichstag marks no
new step in the contest between the Kaiser
and his people. William stands just
where he did. He wants more soldiers,
under the excuse that Russia and France
are increasing their armies; he regrets
that the last Reichstag refused to give
them; he hopes that the new Reichstag
will be better purposed. That is all. The
question of the hour is simply whether
the Germans are prepared to back down
or not. and that question resolves itself
into the more serious inquiry whether
Germany wants peace or war.
Soldiers are drilled. uniformed and
armed Tor the purpose of fighting, and for
no other purpose. Where there are no
soldiers, beyond few battalions for police
duty, there are no wars; where armies are
large, wars are incessant. partly because
soldiers want the excitement and promo
ton which war brings, and partly because
W hen nation has incurred the expense
of putting an army on foot, it naturally
wants to turn it to some use. If the Reich
stag gives way and grants the Emperor
the new army corps be asks for. war may
be expected within brief period. Will
liam is chafng to win his spurs. He
seems mad to emulate the military glories
Of his grandfather and his famous an
ceStOr, Frederick the Great. When he has
got as many men as he desires he will be
apt to find a preteXt for war, and after the
first shot is fired the German people will
rally as one man TO the national flag. He
has on one side France, which would
eagerly mbrace an opportunity of aveng-
ing Sedan; on the other side Russia, which
has always hated the Germans and now
hates them more than ever. With one or
the other il will be the easiest thing in the
world to pick quarrel. and then the
Continent will witness a renewal OF the
NapOeonic wars.
Is that for Germany'S interest What
has she to gain by war? Williams pre-
decessors sought territorial aggrandize-
ment. But all said aud done. Germany is
no larger now than she was in the time of
Louis XIV. Attempts to extend her Soun-
dares at the present time would result, as
Napoeon's ambition resulted, in a coali-
tion of all the powers against the disturber
Of the peace, and Germany would probably
lose not only The Rhine provinces TO France,
but perhaps Silesia to Austria and East
Prussia to Russia. In the meantime war
would set back the march of popular prog
resS, as il always does. Under cover of the
cry that the Fatherland is in danger, the
Emperor and the Kings and Archdukes
would amend present cor stitutions and
strip their peoples of some of the political
tights they enjoy. That is generally the
result of war. In the clash of arms, as the
adage says, law is silent.
In the Brandenburg speech. which was
more sincere than Tuesdays speech from
the throne. the Emperor threw down the
gauntlet to the people. He said he would
have his new army corps whether the
R-chstag liked it or not. 1t would seem
that the German phople owe il to them
selves to accept the challenge and To see
whether their ruler really contemplates
what Liebknecht calls revolution from
above If they shrink from doing so they
will become mere pro-forma legislature
charged with the duty of registering the
edicts of the Emperor. and the revolution
which is sure to ensue Will be directed
against than as we'll as against the impe-
rial throne.
Still it is hard to say what the power
aud prestige of court may not effect. In
every legislature there are weak backed
mem beers who are ready to yield to pres
sure. 1t is evident that the contest is
going to be close. A few votes changed
from the popular side TO the side Of the
Emperor would turn the scale. We shall
see in a very few days whether those votes
are forthcoming.