The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-28
EVENTS BEYOND THE OCEAN.
CIPRITIs SPEECH IN PlTOR OF
TEE GKRMlN-RUssIlN TREhTKI

Ansriesu Ladtes at ouser vietoris's Draw.
iue Rso--vietsris wssshpn asts rs
Ds-sess-Au Capie Bstwee-
RussIsn SD esr-s. Treeps-5tIvsr.
BERLIN. Feb PIN the Reiehstse to-day
Chancellor Won Caprivi made . mastery de-
fence OF the German Russian commercial
treaty, taking full advantage OF the weak
points Of all Of the previous arguments against
the measure. Toward the close OF his speech
the Chancellor read a portion OF speech de-
livered In the IochstaR by Prince Bismarck
In 1870. on which occasion the old Chancellor
declared that either he himself or his sue
cessor must endsavor to conclude CONNER
cial treaty with Russia. After reading the ex-
tract from Prince Blsmarck's speech Chan
sellor Won Cnprivl said impressively: Den
tlemen. II was reserved for his successor to
conclude that treaty"
p Chancellor Won Caprvl dwclt at length upon
the advantages Of the treaty to German inter-
ests. among them being its influence upon the
cordial feeling at present existing between the
two empires u the treaty should not be
adopted. he declared the relations Of Germany
with Russia would he seriously affected. He
warned the House that an economic war be-
tween the customs officials OF the two en- pires
could not he waged eternally. but the adoption
ot the treaty would confirm the peace OF
lie said the adoptlon OF the treaty would
create a bridge between Germany and Rus
ala. cementing their peaceful relations. The
insinuations OF the Opposition press that there
were dissensions In the Prussion Cabinet over
the measure were absolutely untrue. The
builders OF the treaty were In com plete accord
He did not doubt that there were many. who
would have liked to see him fall In building
the ecaffold, uthis imperial master was firm
ly convinced OF the necessity for the copyen-
tion, and had enabled the negotiations to pro-
coed smoothly and successfully
Herr Won kardorn. Free Conservative and
hgrsrian. spoke In Opposition to the treaty
He held that the advantages OF concluding
commercial treaties with countries having n
iiuctuating currency like kussia would prove
illusory The present measure. he declared.
would have presented. The agriculturlsts
could have confidently relied upon Prince Bis
marks providing some com pensation or some
guarantee OF protection to their interests Tho
agrlcuiturists were still ready to accept aome
reform OF the currency as partly compromising
for the IN easurs under discussion.
Herr koenig made violent attack upon the
treaty. and Herr Won Bennigsen enlarged upon
It's commercial and political advantages to
Germany.
sHorr Iutz Conservative contended that the
proposed reduction OF fifteen marks duty on
Russian grain imports would have the effect TO
reduce to the same extent the price Of grain
had known that the passage OF the com ercia!
treaty with Austria Involved the conclusion Of
other treaties. the House would never have
nssented to that measure. Tho Government
he declared. had unfairly kept Its intentions
with regard to other treaties secret.
speaker, and reminded the Honse that when
the Austrian treaty was concluded the Govern-
ment had repeatedly announced that other
treaties would follow.