The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-26
WANTS A GREAT NAVY
GERMANS EMPEROR WOULD LIKE
TO BE MASTER OF THE SEA.
He Desires to Raise a Loan OF 3OO,-
100000 Marks for the Purpose of
building More War Ships.

Copyright, 1896, by the Associated Press.)
BERLIN, Jan. "a project is now be-
ing seriously considered by the Emperor
and the Cabinet Of providing for for
midable increase of the German navy. Ii
is well known that his Majesty has long
desired to DO this, but the refusal OF the
Rechstag to vote the necessary funds has
rendered the scheme impossible up to the
present time. Recent events, however, es-
pecially the attitude of Great Britain to-
wards Germany, have ripened the plan to
accomplish an extension OF the navy with
out the grant of large sums Of money by
the Reichstag. The Emperor. during the
past fortnight, has had a great number Of
conferences with the authorities on colonial
affairs with reference to the position and
needs of the German colonies, compared
with the naval resources, and the made
quacy of the German navy, particularly in
frst-class ironclads and cruisers, to main
tain Germany's pretensions as a colonial
power was general recognized. This years
budget shows but small item for new
battle ships, and the present Reichstag,
which expires in 1898. will not vote large
sums for the navy. Therefore, in order to
overcome the difficulty thus presented, 1t
Is uOW plOpOSCu W ldloC q lodu vi ooVsvvvsSoo
marks, the means for which are to be
obtained by the conversion of the per
cent funds into 31s per cents. His Majesty
sounded the leaders Of the parties, both In
the Reichstag and in the Diet during the
recent fetes. and received encouraging re-
plies. DR.. Miguel. the Minister Of Finance.
was favorable to the scheme. but Prince
Hohenlohe. the Chancellor. and several
other ministers were opposed TO 1t.
The colonial party has been much en-
couraeed by Emperor Williams speech de-
livered on jan IS last, on the occasion Of
the twenty-fifth. anniversary OF the re.es-
Enlistment OF the German empire. III mas
stirred its members TO increased activity,
and at an enthusiastic meeting OF the Co.
lonial Association on Thursday evening last
DR.. Peters, the explorer, urged that peti-
ton be drawn up and addressed 10 the
Chancellor in favor Of large increase OF
the navy in order TO protect Germany ;
worldwide interests at, for instance. Ade-
laide, San Francisco, on the Orinoco ana
on the Yang-tse-kiang. Among other things,
DIR. Peters said that Germany must have
the power to act and not have TO waste
time in talk. Prince Won Arenberg, VINO
presided, was more conservative In MS re-
marks. He condemned any precipitate &C
ton and pointed out that it was Impossible
for Germany TO create a navy which would
rival that of Great Britain. The meeting
nevertheless adopted DR.. Peterss resolu-
ton, and a petition setting fortn the ue-
mands of the Colonial Association Will be
presented to the Chancellor and to the
Reichstag. 1t will contain the request that
800 600, 600 marks, about $15,00o.OO0, be appro-
priated to increase the navy.
An instructive contrast to these demands
is furnished in the official report OF the col
onies, which has just been published. From
this document Ii appears that out OF the
thousands of Germans TO whom the Emper-
or referred only seven hundred have appar-
emily elected to take up their residence In
greater Germany and OF this number "
are military and civil authorities. These
figures do not include southwest Africa.
for which no statistics are given. The trade
OF the German colonies. the report also
shows is steadily decreasing, necessitating
an increase of the imperial subventions by
100000 marks. making a total cost OF over
IL, 0000 600 marks. Striking testimony or the
militarism OF the colonial government Is
shown In the fact that the report Jumps ne
groes donkeys ana oxen together under the
heading of beasts OF burden" in East
Africa
Emperor Williams birthday. on Monda,
next, will be celebrated in the usual way
Among the princes present will be the Kinf
OF Saxony. the Grand Duke of Baden anC
others of almost equal rank. Prince Hohen
lobe will give banquet TO the foreign min
listers In honor of the occasion.
A heroic size monument Of Prince Bis
marck is to be erected on the northernmos