Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-03-22

Difference Between German Ministers Re-
sardins Surplus Of Imperial Revenue.
THE EMPEROR TAKES A HAND.
Agreement Finally on q Bill Pro-
viding for Temporary Appropria-
rial Debt-BerIfn News Notes.

BERLIN, March N.-The strong diver
gence of opinion existing between Dr.
MIGUEL. Prussian Minister of Finance,
and Count Posadowski-W ehner, Imperial
Minister OF the Treasury. over the ques-
ton Of the disposition Of the years sur
plus of the imperial revenue. has come
very near producing a Cabinet crisis.
The affair has been very widely dis
cussed by the press and public, and has
divided public interest with the matter
OF the attitude of the Dreibund toward
the Anglo-Egyptian expedition. The
newspapers have made the announcement
that Count Posadowsk has resigned and
nation, but neither the announcement nor
the suggestion was true. The facts of the
case are that an actual crisis has been
averted, leaving DR.. Miguel in occupation
Of the stronghold of advantage, fortified
by the statutes. Under the laws and
Constitution of the empire, the surplus
of the imperial revenue goes TO the fede-
rated States by division.
The trouble came about In this way:
Count Posadowski proposed to comply
with the spirit Of a recent vote OF the
Reichstag. and divert part of the surplus
for the amortization of the debt of the
empire, and DR.. Lieber, leader of the
Centrist party, supported Count Posa-
dowski by introducing in the Reichstag
a motion proposing the creation of an i'm
perial sinking fund, while DR.. Miguel ad-
hered 10 the statutes providing for the
division of the surplus among the fede-
rated States.
The dispute came during the proceed
ings of a Cabinet Council, at which the
Emperor Unexpectedly made his appear
ance. Not one OF the Ministers seems to
have suspected the intention Of the Emper-
or to interfere. and 1t is probable that his
action was the result OF a suddeny-fo
resolution. His Majesty first drove TO
the Chancellerie, presuming that the
council was being held there. He found
that Prince Hohenlohe was absent and
that no council was in session there From
the Chancellerie he drove to the Reichstag
building. and entered the Bundesrath
chamber where the Ministers were as
semblng. He took a seat next 10 Prince
Hohenlohe, and gave close attention to the
discussion.
M1QUEES POSITION.
In the debate which ensued. DIR. Miuuel
supported the Bavarian, Wurtemburg.
and Saxony plenipotentiarles in the
Bundesrath. He insisted upon the strict
observance OF the provisions OF the
statutes contending that the question had
close relation to financial reforms which
he had long planned. 1t was necessary.
he said, TO demonstrate to the Relchstag
that the disposal OF the surplus Of the
imperial revenue must have a bearing
upon those plans.
1t was finally agreed TO prepare a bill
providing for such temporary approprla-
ton of funds for the purpose Of amortiza-
tion OF the imperial debt from part of
the surplus as will not interfere with
the claims Of the federated States This
decision Is compromise. endorsing the
principle Of DR.. Lebers proposal. without
infringing upon the statutes.
GONE TO JOIN PETERS.
The debate in the Relchstag on the
colonial estimates has had another victim
besides Dr. Peters In DR.. Kayser, the
director OF the Colonial Department Of the
Foreign Office. who resigned. 1t is proba-
bic that Prince Arenberg will become the
head OF the Colonial Office, and Freiherr
Won Marschall Bieberstein. Minister az
Foreign Affairs. with a view to making
the post acceptable to Prince Arenbere
Is understood to be willing TO raise the
Colonial Office from a mere adjunct IN
the Foreign Office TO an indeperd dent sec
ton, with secretary OF State at its
head. This would imply that Prince Aren-
berg will be colleague OF the Foreign
Minister'S, not a subordinate, as DIR.
Kayser has been.
This step Will not secure to the govern
ment the support OF the Colonial party
and the Centrists in the Reichstag. II
Is possible, however. that the Emperor
VIII not find Prince Arenberg 10 his
taste as Secretary Of State, as the at
ter is a strong opponent of the idea of
increasing the strength of the navy.
The inquiry into the accusations rnade
against Dr. Peters has been confided to
the direction OF Councillor Schwartkoffen.
The principal witness will be Herr Rau-
mann, Austrian Consul to Zanzibar. who
went TO K1limanjaro after the executions
which DR.. Peters ordered had occurred.
and Cleaned from the natives the details
OF the executions. The inquiry promises
to last long time, as the necessary wit
nesses are scattered throughout the globe.
but the investigation will not be suffered
10 fall through owing to the delays which
will be inevitable. The Centrists, Freis-
siniges. and Socialists are as eager 10
see Dr. Peters punished as the other
parties are to see him indicated. "
possible,