The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-11-18
ALL RIGHT TO KILL CIVILIANS
German War Minister Defends Military
Outrage BEFORE the Geichstag.

Berlin, Nov. 1.-THE chancellor, Prince
Hohenlohe, replying TO the Interpolation
of Herr August Munckel, Peoples party,
on the Brusewitz incident of Oct. 13 last
when lieutenant ran a sword through a
workingman named Siebmann, who had
accidentally pushed against the officers
chair entering a cafe, stated that the mil
itary department was preparing new reg
ulations with the object Of limiting duel
ing as much as possible. A commission
of officers, he added, would meet within
few days for the purpose of consider
ing and reporting on the propositions.
Continuing, the chancellor said that the
chief change in the regulations as pro-
posed was, that If one officer insulted
another the matter should be left 10 the
decision of court of honor, but the judg-
ment of the court should not, however.
be worded in such way as to make a
duel necessity or even to imply the rec
ignition of such means of settling a dis
pute.
The government, Prince Hohenlohe
added, was also considering an amend
ment to the civil law and in the prepara-
| ton of the measure had met with con-
siderable difficulties. But ii was hoped
that these would be overcome with the
help of parliament.
The prerogative of mercy, the chan
cellor further stated, appartains to the
crown, and therefore, is not subject to
the judgment of the reichstag.
General con Gossler, the minister of
war, then addressed the house, dealing
directly with the Brusewitz affair. Lieu
tenant BrusewitZ, it was alleged, killed
the civilian because he believed that thu
honor of his uniform had been furnished
by the accidental pushing against his
| chair OF the unfortunate workman. The
officer was court martialed and sentence
ed 10 four years Imprisonment and dis
| missal from the army.
General Gossler, amid constant inter-
i ruptions, then went on to announce that
the judgment Of the court martial had
been pronounced but had not Yet been
| sanctioned. Therefore, he explained, It
| had no force in law.
Continuing, the minister for war said
that the documents bearing on the affair
were to be submitted, by imperial COM
mand, to the ministry of war and so soon
as this was done. the sentence would be
punishable, together with the reasons
which prompted It, General Gossler then
alluded 10 Herr Muncke,s 'firebrand
speech" which caused great uproar in
the house.
The minister then cited cases Of offic-
| ers who had been grossly insulted by I'M
| known persons and he declared that Of
| hcers who have not proper feeling OF
! military honor and becoming sense OF
| the dignity of their position deserve to
| be got rid of, ''for on those sentiments
| depend the martial efficiency Of the
/ army"
| The general further said: 1.-THE honor
/ IN ~ h. LII -
and respect for the colors, are military
sentiments that we shall never abandon
| The right of self-defense must never be
taken from officers" cloud protests.)
When the tumult subsidized. the minis
| ter of war remarked: II regret the at
| tack made upon officeds and hope the
| house Will judge the circumstances with
out bias"
a lively debate followed the remark,
OF the minister for war and the presiden,
! OF the house. Baron Won Buol-Berbenber.
ger declared that the expression .class
| batting" with which General Won Gossle,
had characterized Herr Munckers speech
was regrettable, adding. II II has beer
used a simple deputy the latter wouli
| have been called to order
Herr Bebel, the Socialist leader, Their
| criticized General Won Gossler's remark.
|
describing them as not gentiemanlike ana
blaming him for using English words.
Herr Behel said further:
How can K be said that whoever al
! lacks the kings uniform thereby in
| suits the king? In 1893 the king thea:-
| ened with pain % death any military
| NAL who fiouteJ civilian. Things vii
3, last come 10 such pass that a uni
form OF the cuirasSier's guard VIII Be
| suspended ike Gess.sr's hat and the peo-
| Ile viii b. required 10 make obeisancs tc
| the cmperor's horse. Il ~ vain 20 en-
| deaver by word from an august mouth
10 bring the people 10 such state ot
| fear and trembling that they vii bow
! the knee in silence. Success is so irnpos
sib,e for views go diame,riczlly opposed
10 everything, that ne is the greatest zoo
who is constantly trying 10 make then
| prevail.
Herr Rehel was called 10 order. TIL
house adjourned until Thursday.
| Now He "Reveais" on ItaiT