Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1896-02-01
THE NAVY OF GERMANY
Considerable Increase Advised by
the Emperor
HER POSITION DEMANDS IT
President Fleet Inadequate to MalniaIn
Germanys PrctcntiOns as
Colonial Power.

ing seriously considered by the emperor
and the cabinet of providing for Tor
midable increase of the navy. 1t is well
known that his majesty has long wish
ed to do this, but the refusal OF the
reichstag to vote the necessary funds
has rendered the scheme impossible.
Recent events, however, especially the
attitude of England toward Germany,
have ripened the plan to accomplish an
extension Of the navy without the grant
of large sums OF money by the reich
stag.
The emperor, during the last fort
night, has had number Of conferences
with authorities on colonial affairs with
reference to this position, and the needs
of the German colonies, compared with
the naval resources and the inadequacy
of the German navy, particularly IN
first-class ironclads and cruisers, to
maintain Germany'S pretenSionS as
colonial power, was generally recOg-
nized. This years budget shows but a
small item for new battleships and the
present reichstag, which expires in 1898,
will not vote large sums for the navy.
Therefore, in order to overcome the dill
ficulty thus presented, it is proposed to
raise loan of 300,000,000 marks, the
means for which are to be obtained by
the conversion Of 4 per cent funds into
3la per cents.
His majesty sounded the leaders Of
the parties, in the reichstag and in the
diet, during the recent fetes. and re-
ceived encouraging replies. DR.. MIGUEL,
minister of finance, was favorable to
the scheme, but Prince H0henlohe,
chancellor, and several of the ministers.
are opposed to it.
The colonial party has been much
encouraged by Emperor William 5
speech, delivered on January Is last,
upon the occasion of the 25th anniVer-
saTy of the re-establishment of the
German empire. 1t has stirred them to
increased activity, and at an enthusiast
tic meeting of the colonial association
on Thursday evening last, DR.. Peters
urged that petition be drawn up and
addressed to the chancellor in favor of
d large increase of the navy, in order
to protect Germany's world wide inter
asts at, for instance, Adelaide San
Francisco, on the Orinoco and in the
Yang-TseK iang.
condemned any precipitate action, and
pointed out that it was impossible for
Germany to create navy which would
rival that Of Great Britain. The meet
ing, nevertheless, adopted DR.. Peters
resolution and a petition setting forth
the demands of the Colonial associa-
ton viii be presented to the chancel-
lor and reichstag 1t will contain the
40 .TlyS 10
priated to increase the navy.
An instructive contrast to these de-
mands is furnished in the official re-
port of the colonies, which has just
been published. From this document it
appears that out of the thousands of
Germans to whom the emperor referred,
only 700 have apparently elected to take
up their residence in Greater Germany
and of this number $50 are military and
civil authorities.
These figures do not include South
west Africa, for which no statistics are
given.
The trade of the German colonies
the report also shows, is steadily de-
creasing, necessitating an increase Of
imperial subventions by 100000 marks
making a total cost Of over 100000
marks.
Emperor Williams birthday, on Mon
day next, will be celebrated in the usua
way. Among the princes present will
be the king of SaXOny, the grand duk
of Baden and others of almost equa
rank.
The amnesty decree which Empero
William issued on January IS was s.