The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-03-15
AN UGLY SCANDAL IN AFRICA.
DIR. PETERS HANGS HIS MISTRESS
AND A MALE SERVANT.

The Discovery That the Pair Were
on Too Intimate Terms the Ground
for the ExecutiOn-The Crime to
BE Investigated by the Reiehstag.
AngIo-German Relations More
FriendIy-RenewaI of the Drei-
bund.
Berlin, March l4.-The concluding Incl
dents of the debate IN the Reichstag to-
day upon the occasion of the discussion
of the colonial budget, which developed
charges against Dr. Carl Peters, the Afri-
can explorer. abundantly justified the de-
mand which was made and acceded to by
the government that an inquiry be made
into the accusations brought against DR..
Peters. The defense Of Dr. Peters, which
was attempted by DR.. Kayser. the secre-
tary of the colonial department. yesterday
left the position of the government la
mentally weak, especially in view of the
declaration made by DIR. Lieber. the cler-
ical leader. that the central party held
that DIR. Peters was criminal IN the eyes
of all honest men and that the whole
Decentralization administration had been
placed under suspicion. The accusation
made by Herr Bebel, the socialist leader
that DR.. Peters had forced the daughter
of a native chief to become his mistress
and had subsequently hanged her and his
male body servant upon discovering that
Illicit relations were being maintained
between them formed the pivot OF to-day s
debate, which was OF most exciting
character. The charge made by Herr Be
bel is based upon report made by Bishop
Tucker to the English missionary society,
and also upon correspondence which
passed between Bishop Tucker and DR..
Peters, In which the bishop accused DR..
Peters of murder. In reply to this accu-
sation, DIR. Peters wrote TO Bishop Tucker
that he had married the girl according to
African rites, and that in accordance with
the native African law he was entitled to
kill her upon discovering that she was
guilty of adultery.
DR.. Kayser, the secretary Of the colonial
department, announced that the chancel-
lor Prince HohenlOhe, had ordered the
institution of disciplinary proceedings
against DR.. Peters.
Count Won Arnim read a letter from Dr.
Peters denying that he had ever written
to Bishop Tucker in the terms stated by
Herr Bebel The result OF to-days de-
bae viii be that Dr. Peters, besides be-
ing tried by disciplinary court, VIII also
have to undergo public prosecution.
The strain in the relations of Germany
with England is rapidly relaxing under
the influence of the conviction that a
British expedition to Dongola would
be the very best practical In
tervention in favor, Of ltalyy and
political circle in Berlin of England {
friendliness toward Germanys ally;
In regard to the renewal of the triple al
| lance treaty there Is no doubt that Count
| GoluchOwskis visit to Berlin was closely
/ connected with that object. The treaty
| of Italy with the Zwei Kaiser Bund eX
| pires In 1897, but II will continue another
/ six years unless one of the contracting
| parties gives a years notice of withdraw
/ al prior to the termination of the treaty
| Marquis di Rudini, the Italian prime min
| ister had the option of giving a years
/ notice, but he has intimated his accept
/ ance Of the convention in it's present form
| The dreibund is, therefore, safe until 1908
| The emperor's visit to Count LAMA d
| Busca, the Italian ambassador. at the
| Italian embassy on Wednesday, the inter.
/ view lasting four hours, is understood tC
| have clinched the matter.