Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-11-17

tion that, i'm the event or y % IN our
two eastern allies. We - asked on
one side 20 maintain\ mt neutral
ity and on the other \ pport with all
our military strength. \We should then
have to decided who was attacked and
who has the attacker.
This suggestion, however is only val
liable as an illustration
When the AuStro-German treaty of 1879
was concluded "a special perovision stip-
ulated that i'm spite of the secrecy of the
treaty. il might be communicated conf
denually TO Russia. This communication
was duly made, i'm order to avert possible
difficulties and Observation-Disclosures arising
out of unconditional secrecy. If Caprivi
took another view of the reinsurance. if
he scented dangers in unconditional Sc
crs,y or considered it even doubtful
whether the guarantees of peace might
NOT thereby be lessened. there might be
ground for criucising his opposing this
view. But I maintain the conviction that
This experienced and conscientious man
above the attack which has been made
upon him. The notion that English indu-
.uce was the inconceivable ground which
induced Caprivl on that account not to
renew the treaty with Russia is unintel-
ieible The course of time has taught us
that the omission to renew the treaty
has not lead to diminished peace guaran-
tees for Germany Did the acute danger
of war arise at any time i'm those years?
No. Ii is said that the policy embittered
our relations with Russia. 1 resist the
temptation 10 compare our relations with
that country before and after 1890. Com
parison is unnecessary and useless. and
10 will always rebound to the honor of
Prince Bismarck that ne knew how in diff
ucrir times 10 maintain our relations
w 81 Russia ON a good and friendly foot
ing make them useful I'm case of war
and serve indirectly 10 the maintenance
of peace. History viii place these ser
vices I'm still clearer light than l have
done to-day. (Cheersl But il seems like
attempting to dcpreciate and undervalue
Prince Bismarck's services to assert that
prior 10 1890 these relations only rested
upon the fragile pedestal of agreements
which needed TO be renewed from time
90 time. our relations with Russia now
rest upon q firmer basis. ON the friend
ship of the reigning families. on the love
of peace of the sovereigns. ON the govern
meuts' observance of treaties and on the
mutual desire to see them respected.
When our archives are opened it will be
shown that after 1890 German policy sue
ccssfuly strove 10 maintain relations
with Russia ON this basis and that no Sc
rious political differences have arisen"
Dr. Lieber who followed the minister of
foreign affairs declared that the Centrists
were not entirely satisfied that the Russo
German agreement was compatible with
the spirit of the Dreibund.
Baron Won Manteuffel. the next speaker.
said he failed TO see why the agreement
was not renewed. Tt was satisfactory.
however be added TO hear that Germany's
relations with her allies are unimpaired
and that her relations with Russia are on
the best footing as they are more import
amt TO Germany than those of the other
powers.
DR. Enneecerus. National Liberal OBJ
served that .many's right TO conclude
a special agreement with Russia was in
dubitiable and her allies ne added. knew
that Germanys relations with them were
not solely based upon formal treaties.
Herr Richter. the Radical leader. urged
that the agreement ought at least TO have
been communicated to the Dreibund pow
crs. Continuing. ne said that the rela-
tions between Germany and Russia had
constantly improved since 1890. There
fore. whence did Prince Bismarck derive
his information that British influences
had been at work.
Herr Richter also said that he hoped
Count Herbert Bismarck would defend his
father against the assumption that he,
ou bare conjecture had represented the
German crown as a Marionette, pulled
directly by British Influences Uefust
cheers and uproar ON the Right)
Count Won Mirbach. the Agrarian lead
or. expressed great satisfaction at the
fact that the minister of foreign affairs.
Baron NIarschal Won Bieberstein. had ac-
lznowledzed Prince Bismack's services.
and the Count agreed entirely with the
minister mentioned. except in the latter's
opfnion of the value of reinsurances. He
would rejoice TO see the government re-
turn 10 such agreements and. he added.
Prince Bismarck. 10y the revelations. had
done the German people a great service.
The suggestion that they were directed
against the crown. said the Agrarian
leader. were "the height of iusolence and
baseness." loud Rightest cheers and
Leftist protests)
After other speakers had expressed their
views ON the subject the matter was
dropped without a vote being taken.