The San Francisco call., 1896-11-17
DEBATED I'M THE REicHSTAG.
Interpolation of the centnsts Turns Out
10 Be Rather Tame
EHJic

BERLIN, GERMANY, Nov. 16.-The an
nouncement made last week tnat within
the order of to-day's proceedings in the
Reichstag the Centrists would offer an in
terpellation demanding an explanation
on the part of the Government
of the neutrality treaty between
Russia and Germany. the exis-
tence of which. from 1884 to
1890. was disclosed by Prince Bismarck
In the recent series of articles in
spired by the ex Chancellor which
appeared in the Hamburg Nachrichten,
caused the galleries OF the Reiehstag 10
be packed with people to-day. There was
also en- unusually large attendance OF
members in the Chamber.
Shortly after the opening of the ses-
sion Count Won Hompesch Deputy for
Aachen and one OF the recognized lead
ers of the Centrist party in the
Chamber, introduced the promised
Interpolation. In the course of his re-
marks Count Won Hompesch said that
the party OF the Centrists decided to
move the distrust which has been
caused by the recent disclosures
OF the existence of treaty of
neutrality between Russia and Germany
during the period extending from 1884 TO
1890, distrust which was being felt
throughout wide circles at home and
abroad.
Prince Hohenlohe in reply said that
he was not able TO give any in
formation concerning the Russo
German neutrality, because that agree
ment had been contracted in abso-
Lutte secrecy. therefore Germany would
be unable to raise one-sided argument
in regard to the convention or make any
explanation of the agreement. Still,
he said, he could solemnly affirm that
never at any time was the policy of Ger
many under English influence. Con-
tinuing, the Chancellor said he believed
that the clouds of distrust which arose
among the people of Germany's allies
when the revelations were commenced
had already been dispelled. and he was
certain that full confidence existed be-
tween Germany and Austria and Italy.
Freherr Marschall Won Bieberstein.
Minister of Foreign Affairs, was the
next speaker. His remarks, which occu-
pied forty minutes, were delivered in tone
hardly audible to the members. He asked
the house TO desist from exciting
further trouble over the matter. which had
already had the effect of causing great
perturbation throughout the country, and
rebut ted the charge that Germany was
ready to break soemnly contracted treat
les entered into by her with the other
powers.
The debate was tame affair in COM
parison with what was expected by the
opponents Of the Government and fell far
short of being sensational.
As matter of fact, after the speeches OF
Count von Hompesch, the replies of Prince
Hohenlohe and Baron Won Mars chall Won
Bieberstein and the remarks of Count Won
Mirbach and Herr Won Kardorff the dis
cussion flattened out completely.
Count Herbert Bismarck stated that he
had remained silent during the debate
because the declaration of the Chancellor.
Prince Hohenlohe, had supplied him
with no basis upon which to discuss facts.
and he was not going to deal with
hypothesis. He would, therefore, confine
himself solely to denying that the
Interview upon the revelations of the
Hamburger Nachrichten. published in
Vienna. and supposed to have been fur
nished by him, emanated from him, or
that he knew anything about il.