Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-18
BlSMARCk'S COUP A FAILURE
Imperial Chancellor Hohenlohe Makes a
Statement in the Reichstag,
GERMANY AND ITS ALLIES STILL FRIENDS
Disclosures of the EN-ChnnccIIor Fail
to shake the Drcibund and Re-
Intions with Russia Are
Cordial us Ever.

statement from the imperial chancellor
Prince Hohenlohe on the subject Of the
revelations made by Prince Bismarck
through his organ, the Hamburger Nachrich-
ten, regarding the secret treaty which
existed between Russia and Germany from
1856 to 1890, there was a large attendance
at the opening of the Reichstag today
Among those present was Count Herbert
Bismarck eldest son OF the ex-chancellor
who 1t was rumored, was to take an active
part in the debate and defend his father
against attacks. Count Won Hompresch,
centrst leader introduced the interpella-
tion notice of which was given on Wednes-
day last.
In brief, the question was "Did secret
conference between Russia and Germany
exist up to 1890 and II co. why was 1t not
prolonged? Finally. have the recent dis
closurers had influence upon the Dreibund,
and Germany's relations with the other
powers?'
In reply, Prince Hohenloho said: "In re-
gard to the negotiations between Russia and
Germany from 1887 to 1890, II was agreed at
the time that absolute secrecy should be
observed The point OF time when ms
obligation ceased cannot, in consequence, be
defined by us alone. | therefore, for the
moment am not in position to give official
information concerning the result of those
negotiations,
"As regards the tendency Of German nolicv
toward Russia since the spring OF 1890, II
is equally impossible to give an exhaustive
reply so long as that obligation continues,
and leave 1t to the foreign secretary who
took part in the deliberations to say what
can be said in that respect.
after a careful examination of the
available material, cannot help recognizing
as full of weight the motive which goverened
German policy. and at the same time /
ttu hut ~
favorable modification in our relations with
Russia has made itself felt. The assertion
at that time that British. or, indeed, any
foreign influences have had contributory
effect must be dismissed as devoid OF all
foundation.
"As to the effect which recent publications
have had upon the position OF Germany in
the Drcibund, and her relations with other
European powers, | am glad to be able to
declare that the cloud of dlstrust which
at the first moment was observable among
some classes of the population of those
countries has again disappeared. and our
relations with our allies are marked now as
before by absolute mutual confidence. In
the same way our relations with Russia
have never for a moment ceased to be good
and friendly applause from all parts of
the houscD
LIGHT NOT REVELATIONS.
The minister for foreign affairs. Baron
Marscha Won Bieberstein, followed the chan
celor. He said; Entering upon the sub
ject of German policy toward Russia |
am perfectly alive to the great difficulties
of the task. Please do not expect any
revelations from me- | have no authority
to make them and. moreover they would
probably only increase the strife and we
have enough strife in the country. (Cries
of very true.D My task is to throw light
upon certain attacks so far general in
terCsts at home and abroad require them
10 be dealt with.
I'm the late controversy, two accusations
leading to diametrcally opposite directions
stand out prominently. One Is that German
policy after 1890 committed serious blum
ders and surrendered ample security for
the preservation of peace.
THE charge which is leveed against
the policy prior to 1890 asserts that at that
time things were agreed upon with another
state contrary to existing treaties The
latter charge is the most serious for IL
strikes us in that spot where, as we are
entitled to say with some pride. we are
most susceptible. | therefore address my
self first to that charge and repel with
emphasis the idea that anything was ever
agreed to by Germany with any state what
ever that is Incompatible with existing
treaties. (Cheers.) That has not oc-
Cured c'hear, hear"D neither In the let
ter nor In the spirit, for whatever we have
agreed to was determined to serve the
interests of peace 1t is. however, doubtful
whether, with a number of alliances and
treaties the intrinsic value OF each increases
or decreases. The danger arises in multi
fold security that 1t may refuse its Office
at the decisive moment"
The minister for foreign affairs further
said: Wars which are avowedly wars OF
aggression are things of the past, even be-
tween nations that believe they have reason
to be dissatisfied with their lot There
exists at the present time so great n de
sire for peace increased by the general sys-
TEN of obligatory military service and dread
of the effects of modern warfare, that every
government which Is resolved to make war
Will use every effort for the sake OF its
people to avoid the odium of being the ag-
grGSsor. There Is more freedom nowadays
to discuss the question as TO who is RESPONSE
Bile for war, apart from it's results, that
treaty Of alliance can only be effective in
case OF attack, when the contracting par
ties regard each other as the defenders of a
Just cause, and not as the aggressOrs This
feeling cannot be set down In clauses II
must be acquired, maintained and cultivated.
1t does not have Its birth in treaties, nor
does II necessarily cease to exist on the eX-
pira'ion OF the treaty, II is based in the
case OF tho government. as well as OF the
governed upon the knowledge that the main
tenance OF the respective position of the
allies among the powers is their common
interest and II is the mutual conviction
that what one asks II is itself prepared to
grant under given circumstances
FAITH BEHIND TREATIES
"These are the factors determining the act.
ual value OF treaties. In the recent revela-
tions, 1t was asserted that until 1890. a com
plete RuSso-German entente existed by
which. In the event that either was At
tackled the other would maintain beneyo-
lent neutrality Whether this is correct |
cannot say, But know that clause l OF
our treaty with Austria pledges us in the
event OF Russian attack to hasten to the
aid Of Austria with our whole military
power But II the revelations are correct
We might be placed in the position that in
the event Of war between our two eastern
allies, we should be asked on one side TO
maintain benevolent neutrality, and on the
other to support with all OF our military
strength We should then have 10 decide
who was attacked and who was the at
tacker.
This suggestion, however, is only valua-
bic as an illustration.
when the Austro-German treaty OF 1879
was concluded, special provision stipulated
that, In spite of the secrecy OF the treaty It
might be communicated confdentlally to
Russia. This communication was duly
made, I'm order To avert possible difficulties
and misunderstanding arising out OF un-
conditional secrecy. II Caprivi took an
other view OF the reinsurance II he scented
dangers In unconditional secrecy, or consid-
cred II even doubtful whether the guaran-
ties OF peace might not thereby be lessenod
this might beground for cltlcisng his op-
InaaN H.