New-York tribune., 1896-11-17
No EXPLANATION OFFERED.
+. rA,,r DEBATE IN THE REICHSTAG
OVER BIsMARCK's DISCLOSURES.


-. x,ourvr OHE VOUCHsAFEs NO INFORMATION
CONCERNING THE RUSSO o-GERMAN TREATY
,,or R1EBERsTE1N DEFENDS THE EX-
ruANcElLoR-RICHTER ATTACKS
HIM. But ARoUsEs no
RESPONSE IN COUNT
Won BISMARCK.
psrl,n. Nov 16.-The corridors OF the Keichs-
o-o hacked at an early hour this after
- c,t, persons vainly trying 70 obtain ad-
,,.arce 70 the galleries. The announcement
"a hean made that in the order OF to-day's
,ooeedings the Centrists would offer an inter-
collation. demanding an explanation on the
-, - tho Government Of the neutrality treaty
,.ueen Russia and Germany, the existence
:. .u.,,ch from 1884 to 1890. was disclosed by
rr,,ce Bismarck in the recent series OF articles
,ns,ire3 bv the ex-Chancellor. which appeared
!. tho Hamburger NaChrichten. the Princes
,,orsopal organ There also an unusually
,n.oe attendance Of members Of the Chamber.
IA over,tbing and everybody bore an air nd-
lin the sensational nature. II not the i'm
.,orca II the occasion They were all doomed
n disappointment.
Tho debate was tame affair. and fell far
shor, ~ being sensational AS a matter of fact,
ot,sr the speeches of Count Won Hompesch the
re,Nes Of Prince Won Hohenlohe and Baron
Narschan von Bieberstein. and the remarks or
conn, Won Mirbach and Herr Won kardorif the
discussion hattened out completely.
4. Ills p. m. Baron Won Buol-Berenperg'
rrasident Of the Reichstag. rose and announced
tho business OF the sitting. after which Count
von Bompesch, Deputy for Aachen and one or
the leaders Of the Centrst party in the Cham-
her. introduced the promised Interpolation. In
tho course Of his remarks Count Won Hompesch
said that the party of the Centre desired TO
remove the dstrust which had been caused by
,he recent disclosures of the existence or
treaty OF neutrality between Russia ana Ger
many during the period extending from lSNf 10
1880 distrust which was being felt through
out wide circles at home and abroad tCries OF
"Oh OH" from the galleries and loud applause
from the benches Of the Centre) When 'he
applause had subsded Count Won Hompesch
continued his remarks. saying that this was
the chief aim of the Centrists. and they hoped
that the Government would make the expla-
nations required by the motion he had offered
vON HOpENLOHE DOES NOT EXPLAIN
At the conclusion Of Count Won Hompeschs
remarks there was general confusion through
out the Chamber. Deputies rushing around the
70 speak in reply to the Interpolation. while
cries Of "Sit down." were heard everywhere.
During this confusion the Chancellor was max
ing his way to the tribune, and when order
was restored he began his reply. speaking at
first in a weak tremulous tone. making 1t dif-
fcult II not impossible. for the Deputies In the
seats remote from the tribune TO hear him.
Prince Won Hohenlohe said that he was not
able to give any Information concerning the
Russo German neutrality treaty, because mat
agreement had been contracted IN apsoIuie
secrecy: therefore Germany would he unaple
10 raise a one-sded argument in regard to the
convention make anv explanation OF the
agreement Still ne said. he could soienny at-
firm that never at any time was the poilcy or
Germany under English influence. Continuing,
the Chancellor said he believed that the clouds
OF distrust which arose among the peoples OF
Gerrnany's allies when the revelations were be-
gun had already been dispelled. and ne was
certain that full confidence existed between
Germany and Austria and ltaly Cneers)
Freiherr Marschall Won Bieberstein. Minister
of Foreign Affairs. the next speaker. his
remarks, which occupied forty minutes, were
delivered in a hardly audible to the mem
bers. He asked the House to desist from *
citing further trouble over the matter. whlcn
had already had the effect of causing great
perturba don throughout the country. ana re-
butted the charge that Germany was ready 10
break solemnly contracted treaties entered ihto
by her with other Powers. If the Deiief that
Germany would act thus should come 10 be pub
lcly accepted. Freiherr Won Beberstein SAID "
would undermine the country's position In Eu-
rope The charge. he declared had no basis IN
fact Germany had over been faithful 10 her
treaties II was question for argument ne ad-
rnitted whether tie Government had Deen WIS.,
in negotiating a secret treaty win hussid
Arguing academically. he would suppose that
Russia and Austria had gone TO war. Germany
would then be obliged decide which of the
two countries she would support
SOLELY A DEFENSIVE ALLIANCE
IT might be contended that II Austria was at
tackled the German army would be forced 10
march against Russia. whereas, if Austria al
tackled Pussia Germany should remain neutral
The other members of the Drebund could con
clude similar treaties. for the Dreibund was de-
fensive alliance.
In conclusion. Freiherr Marschal Won Bieber-
stein said that Prince Bismave-:s statecraft
had met with ssuch absolute ckh"~.eusHr,'
throughout the civilized world. ii was dcpIoranie
that II should have been made the object OF such
undignifed attacks. Germany. he said, knew
that the entente between Russia ana france
would never permit France frivolously 10 de-
clare war against Germany The relations ex-
listing between Russia and Germany were aoso-
lutey friendly.
The debate tagged somewhat after the speech
Of the Foreign Minister. but Herr Richter
aroused the cheers Of his faction of the Chamber
the Richterite Radicals-by making personal
attacks upon Prince Bismarck. obviously aiming
at provoking the old Chcncellors son. Count
Herbert Bismarck into replying
Count Won Mirbach. Conservative. saw the oh
ject Of Herr Richter. and expressed the hope
that Count Bismarck would not accept the cha-
lenge OF the Radical leader. Count Mirbach
then proceeded 10 defend the acts Of Prince
Bismarck and was followed by Herr Kar
dorY Free Conservative. who spoke in similar
strain. the speeches OF both Deputies being
loudly cheered.
Count Herbert Bismarck said that he had
NAMED silent during the debate because the
decssraton OF the Chancellor, Prince Won Hohen-
10 had supplied him with no basis upon which
70 discuss facts and he was not willing to deal
with hypotheses. He would therefore coniine
himself solely 10 denying that the interview upon
tha Of tha tom
published in Vienna. and supposed 10 have been
furnished by him. had emanated from him. or