The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-11-19
DISCUSSED IN RE|CHSTAG.
THE NACHRICHTEN'S REVEAL
TIONS OF THE SECRET
TREATY TAKEN UP.
PRINCE H0HENL0HE'S STATEMENT
Not in Position to Give Official In
formation-Von Bieberstein Stated
What Was Agreed to Conceded
With Existing Treaties.

| Berlin, Nov. 16.-In anticipation of 4
statement from the imperial chancellor
| Prince Hohenlohe, on the subject of The
revelations made by Prince Bismarck
through his organ, the Hamburger Mach
richten, regarding the treaty which ex.
listed between Russia and Germany from
1850 to 1890, there was large at
| tendance at the opening of the reich
| stag today. Among those present was
Count Herbert Bismarck, eldest son ,f
| the ex-chancellor. who, it is rumored,
was to take an active part in the debate
and defend his father against attack.
Count Won Homsprecht, a centrist
leader, introduced the Interpolation, no.
tice of which was given on Wednesday
last. In brief, the question was:
Did secret convention between Rus
STA and Germany exist up to 1890. and
if so why was it not prolonged? Finally,
have the recent disclosures had influence
on the dreibund and Germany's relations
with the other powersY'
In reply, Prince Hohenlohe said:
I'm regard to the negotiations between
Russia and Germany from 1886 to 1890.
it was agreed at the time that absolute
secrecy should be observed. The point
of time when this obligation ceased can
not, in consequence, be defined by us
alone, l. therefore. for the moment. am
not i'll a position to give official informa-
tion concerning the result of these nego-
tiatiOns.
After careful examination of the
available material, | can not help recog-
nizing as full weight the motives which
governed German policies, and at the
same time | can not express the convic-
ton that no unfavorable modification in
our relations with Russia has made
itself felt. The assertion at that time
that British or indeed, any foreign in
tfuences have had a contributory effect
or that they now have must be dis
missed as devoid of all foundation.
bravo, bravO.)
AS to the effect which recent publica-
tons have had upon the position of
Germany in the dreibund and her rela-
lions with other European powers, | am
glad to be able to declare that the cloud
of distrust which at the first moment was
observable among some classes of The
population of those countries, has again
disappeared, and our relations with our
allies are marked now, as before, by
absolute mutual confidence. In The
same way our relations with Russia
have never for moment ceased to be
good and friendly" applause from all
parts of the house,
The minister for foreign affairs,
Baron Mareschal Won Bieberstein. fol-
lowed the chancellor. He said:
in entering upon the subject of Ger
man policy toward Russia am perfectly
alive to the great difficulties of the task.
Please do not expect any explanations
from me. have no authority to make
them, and, moreover, they would only
probably increase the strife. and we have
enough strife in the country.
"My task is to throw light on certain |
attacks, so far as general interests at |
home and abroad require them to lie |
dealt with.
I'm the latest controversy two accusa-
tons. leading in Numerically opposite |
directions, stand out prominently.
"One is that Germany's policy, after
1890. committed serious blunders and
surrendered an important security for
he preservation of peace.
The other charge, which is leveled
against, the policy prior to 1890, as
'erts that at that time things were
lgreed upon with another state contrary
o existing treaties.
"The latter charge is the most Serious
or it strikes MS in a spot where. as we
ire entitled to say with some pride, we
re most susceptible. Hear hear.)
Il. therefore, address myself first 10
hat charge and repel with emphasis the
dea that anything was ever agreed to by
Germany with any state whatever that
S Incompatible with existing treaties.
Cheers.) That has not occurred (hear,
ear) either in letter or in the spirit, for
whatever we have agreed to was designed
o serve the interests of peace. 1t is,
owever. doubtful whether, with num-
er Of alliances and treaties, the in
rinsic value of each increases or de-
reases. The danger arises in multifold
ecurity that it may refuse its offer at
decisive moment"
The minister of foreign affairs further
aid:
"Wars which were avowedly wars of
ggresson are things of the past, even
etween nations that believe they have