The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-12
The Unpopular Measure Is
Finally Killed Section by
Section.
SOCIALISTS ON THEIR METTLE.
They Declare That the Army Is At
tempting to Gain a Pretext
for Slaughter.

the rejection by the Reichstag OF para
graph Ill of the anti-revolution bill, which
practically settled the fate of that measure,
nobody was surprised when the Reichstag
to-day, after rejecting paragraph III re-
fused to further discus the bill, and all its
amendments were withdrawn. Then the
entire bill, paragraph by paragraph, was
rejected without debate and the Reichstag
adjourned.
Though the rejection of the anti-revo-
luton bill did not surprise anybody who
has followed the popular agitation against
it, and although the rejection yesterday of
paragraph Ill hopelessly emasculated the
bill, the discussion of the other sections
was to drag along for a time, as the
Government did not intend to withdraw
the measure, although continuance of the
debate only promised further humiliation
for the Government, therefore the coup de
grace administered to the unpopular bill
to-day was a relief to all concerned.
The most interesting speech during the
discussion was that of Herr Groeber, which
showed that the Center party was irritated
against the Government on account of its
management of the bill. He said that
Herr Won Koeller, the Prussian Minister of
the Interior, apparently regarded the
Reichstag as an automatic machine, into
which bills were put in order to be pulled
out as laws on the other side.
The utterances of Herr Won Koeller in
support of the bill, he asserted, only put
weapons in the hands of the Socialists.
Herr Groeber then proceeded to protest
against the dictatoriaI attitude assumed by
Dr. Schoenstadt, the Prussian Minister of
Justice, toward the Center party, and de-
clared that the party would decline all
responsibility for the measure.
Dr. Schoenstadt replied in a speech
which only served to further embitter
matters and leave the Government at log
gerheads with the Center party.
The proceedings were somewhat enliv-
ened by the remarks of DR.. Sigl, editor of
the Bavarian Katerland, and whose anti
Prussian utterances have earned for him
the nickname of the "Prussian Kater."
DR.. Sigl humorously criticized the bill
and the Ministers speeches. He declared
that Herr Won Koeller's speech was an in
suit to the Reichstag, but he was inter
rupted by the President, Herr Won Eulen-
burg, who remarked that it was the
Presidents business to rebuke insults to
the House. Herr Won Koeller, amid gen.
eral laughter, ostentatiously applauded
DR.. Sigl as the latter returned to his seat.
Upon resuming business to-day the
Reichstag proceeded to discuss paragraph
112 of the anti-revolution bill. The Min
lister of War, General Bronzart Won Schel-
Iendorf, declared that he could well I'M
derstand the socialist antagonism to the
army, which, he declared, was solid
wall against which it was useless for the
socialists to run their heads. Neverthe-
less he believed socialism was picking at
the foundation of this wall, and it was to
prevent these attempts that the paragraph
was intended.
Herr Bebel, socialist, replied that the
ruling circles evidently wished to provoke
the social democracy to acts of violence in
order to crush it by military force, but, he
added, the socialists did not intend to be
entangled into a snare.
The Minister of War warmly repudiated
Herr BebePs allegations, and quoted an
article from the Vorwaerts the Socialist
organ, suggesting that he, the Minister of
War, ought to be shot like mad dog.
Herr Osann, National Liberal, Count
Won Kardoff, Free Conservative, and Herr
Won Levetzow then announced on behalf
Of their respective parties that they would
follow General Bronzart Won Schellendorf
in supporting the Government on para
graph 112 against the committee amend
ments. Decision was called for and para
graph 112 was rejected. The Conservative
Imperialists and National Liberals voted
in the minority.
The same paragraph which was amended
in committee was then put to a vote and
was also rejected, the Centerists alone sup
porting it.
Her Won Richter, the leader of the Peo-
pies party, then remarked: "Let US now
make short work of the bill; let US aban-
don further debate, SO that by a sue
cession of divisions we may quickly rid
the world of the whole thing"
The words of Herr Richter were greeted
with much laughter and his advice was
forthwith acted upon. Amid much ex-
element the various amendments were
formally Withdrawn and curious scene
ensued. The majority, in the gayest
spirits, rejected each paragraph as it was
put from the chair.
When the last paragraph was disposed
of. the anti-Semites and the members of
the Left cheered boisterously and the sit
ting was adjourned amid intense excite
ment until Monday, when the discussion
upon the customs convention with Austria
liza and tobacco tax will be taken up.
There is much discussion in political cir
cles tonight at the unexpected denoue-
ment and the effect it is likely to have on
the Emperor. The general belief ex-
pressed is that the Minister of the Interior,
Herr Won Koeller, must fall with the anti
revolution bill.
The changed plans of the Emperor re-
specting his summer pleasure excursion
lit was originally his intention to take a
trip to Norway have caused great deal
OF comment The truth is, the Emperor is
displeased at the turn of political affairs in
Norway, and as he is an admircr of King
Oscar, consequently feels it would be i'm
proper for him to visit the Norwegian
coast exclusively as hitherto.
He will make coasting trip along the
shores OF Sweden and pay a visit to Stock
holm, Malmo, Gothenberg and a number
OF points remarkable for their scenery.
His Majesty nil ba a. r..