The record-union., 1896-02-24

teristic oratorical performances last
week The first and last notable one
was given on Thursday, upon the oc-
casion of the annual dinner given by the
Governor of Brandenburg to the Bran
denburg Diet, function which his maj
esty always graces with his presence
and platitudes. On this occasion, apro-
pos of the silver jubilee of the Emperor,
the Kaiser, after making flowery and
sentimental references to Heavens spe-
cial grace to the empire and the impe-
rial house, proceeded to inculcate in the
minds of his hearers the lesson of the
duty of the nation in the future. What
we have Witnessed said his majesty,
and what has been effected we owe
solely to the great Emperor William
and in his trust in God. The entire eel
ebrations in commemoration Of the vic
tories of the German army, held in 1893,
eliminated in the glorification Of his
personality, which has become nothing
less than holy to US. 1t is our sacred
duty to preserve his personality and
hallowed memory against all comers.
The Kaiser's adulation of his grand
father has never run to greater lengths
than upon this occasion, nor has his
exclusion of all reference to Prince Bis
marck and the ex-Chancellor'S cO-work-
ers in the foundation of the empire been
more marked. Nevertheless his maj
esty's utterances were dutifully and fer
vently acclaimed.
The address delivered by the Emperor
on the occasion of his swearing in of the
naval recruits at Wilhelmshayen on
Friday was modelled after his remarks
upon similar occasions in the past.
Speaking of the German navy, the
Kaiser said that although it was small
as compared with the navies of some OF
the other Powers, it was still in prog
ress of growth. The absence from his
remarks of anything more encouraging
to the hopes of the Chauvinists than the
foregoing utterance was great disap-
pointment, and especially to those who
are exerting every possible effort to
extend the colonial possessions of Ger
many. Those standing foremost in the
endeavor to forward Germany's colo
rial interests, led by DR.. Peters, the At
rican explorer, have entered into an ag-
itation for an unlimited increase of the
German navy.
The annual meeting of the Berlin
branch of the German Colonial Associa-
tion elected DR.. Peters President of the
association, ousting Prince Arenburg,
whose loSzity to the colonial cause,
combined with his moderation, has
commanded general respect for him.
The fervor of the colonial enthusiasts
demanded a more energetic and push
ing leader, and their views have found
an exponent in DR.. Peters, who is a
fanatical advocate of a greater Ger
many and a policy of persistent agita-
tion for the introduction in the Reich
stag of navy bill demanding large
increase of ships, men and guns, and it
is widely believed that his course is
prompted, at least indirectly, by the
Emperor.
Some of the speakers in the Budget
Committee which was dealing with the
colonial estimates last week condemned
the attitude assumed by DR.. Peters
His defenders in the committee at
tempted to explain away some of the
objections made to him, but they were
met with criticisms which they could
not combat. Some of the doctors crit
les reminded his defenders that the
Government was paying DR.. Peters g.
600 marks a year for doing nothing,
while he was spending his leisure time
IN agitating policy to which the Min
listers of State were nominally opposed.
On the evening following this discus
sion in the committee, DR.. Peters, adj
dressing the Berlin branch of the Ger
man Colonial Association, justified his
attitude, and declared that he had been
prompted in his course by Duke John of
Mecklenburg- -Schwerin, President OF
the German Colonial Society, who he
said, had informed him that since the
society had thrown it's whole energy
into the Transvaal question it was
bound to support the Emperor in his
efforts to strengthen the power of the
nation beyond the seas. Therefore, he
said, the Central Committee would
make the question of increasing the
navy the leading plank in their plat
form
The National Zeitung" in an article
On the subject, warns the colonial agi-
tators to leave the question of increas-
ing to the Reichstag, where it belongs
The "Borsen Zeitung" asserts that the
Colonial Department of the Foreign
Office has written a letter to DIR. Peters,
pointedly drawing his attention to his
duties as an imperial officer on half-pay
Whatever may be the private aspira-
I1OHS Oh the EIipcTO9 cllu Ills MINISTER'S.
there is very little prospect that the agi-
tation of the colonial party win be sue
cessful in moving the public, which at
present continues to be satisfied that
they are sufficiently taxed to meet the
expenditures involved in maintaining
the army. Even If extensive ship
building was meditated by the Govern
ment, the German ya1ds would be un-
able to undertake the work, as they are
already occupied with work which will
keep them going at their full capacity
for two years to come.
A branch of the German Colonial So
ciety was inaugurated in Hamburg on
February 21st with great eclat. Duke
John Of Mecklenburg -Schwerin presid-
ed. and resolutions We're passed declar-
ing that an increase of the number Of
German cruisers was imperatively
necessary. Hundreds of applications
for membership were received at. the
meeting.
Prince Bismarck received at Freder-
cksruhe on Saturday a number of con-
servatives and others, styling them
selves the parties of law and order,
from the Saale District. The ex-Chan-
cellor was in his usual health, and in
reply to an address presented him by