The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1896-11-17
UNFOLDING BISMARCK.
Interesting Debate at the Opening
Of Germany's Reichstag.
THE SECRET TREATY WITH RUSSIA.
It Calls Forth Statements from Chancellor
Hohenlohe and Foreign Minister Bieber-
steiu-The Latter Declares That "Wars Of
Aggression Are Things of the Past"

stein-The Latter Declares That "Wars Of
Aggression Are Things of the Past"
BERLIN, Nov. 17.-In anticipation of q
statement from tho imperial chancellor,
Prince Hohenlohe, on the subject of the
revelations made by Prince Bismarck,
through his organ, the Hamburger Mach.
yichten, regarding he secret treaty which
SXtst.s.l Iss%sen Pnssta and Ger.assr
from 1886 to 1890 there was u large at.
tendance at the opening Of the reichstas
yesterday Among those present was
Count Herbert Bismarck, eldest son of the
ex-chancellor, who, it was rumored, was
to take an active part in the debate and
defend his father against attacks.
In brief, the question was, did secret
convention between Russia and Germany
exist up to 1890, and If so why was 1t not
prolonHedp Finally, have tho recent dis.
closures had influence upon the dreibund
and Germany's relations with the other
powersp
In reply Prince Hohenloho said:
"In regard to the negotiations between
Russia and Germany from 1887 to 1890 1t
was agreed at the time that absolute Sc.
crecy should be observed. Tho point of
;:me when this obligation ceased cannot
In consequence, be defined by us alone l,
therefore, for the moment am not in po-
ition to give official information concern.
ing the result of those negotiations then
"As regards the tendency of German
policy towards Russia since the spring OF
1890 1t Is equally impossible TO give an
exhaustive reply 80 longas that obligation
continues, and leave 1t TO the foreign
secretary who took part in the dclibera-
tons to soy what can be said in that
respect.
"After a careful examination of the
available material, cannot help recogniz-
ing as full of weight the motives which
govern German policy, and, at the same
time, can express the conviction that no
unfavorablc modification in our relations
With Russia has made itself felt. The
assertion ut that time thnt British or, In.
Decd any foreign influence, have had II
contributory effect must be dismissed as
devoid of all foundation.
Gas to the effect which recent publica-
tons have had upon the position of Ger
many in the dreibund and her relations
with other European powers, am glad to
bs able to declare that tho cloud of dis
trust which at the first moment was OBJ
ssrvable among some classes of the popu-
1ation of those countries has again dis
appeared and our relations with our al
lies arc marked now, as before, by nbso-
lutte mutual confidence. In the same way
our relations with Russia have never fora
moment ceased to be good and friendly"
The minister for foreign affairs, Baron
Marschall Won Beberstein, declared that
he would rerei with emphasis the idea
chat nything was over agreed to by Ter
many, with any state whatever that is in.
compatible with existing trenties. THAT
hiss not occurred, he declared, neither in
the letter nor in the spirit for whatever
We have agreed to was designed to serve
the interests of peace. 10 is, however,
doubtful whether, with number Of alli-
ances and Treaties the intrinsic value OF
each increases or decreases The danger
arises in multifold security that 1t may
refuse its Office at Il decisive moment
"Wars which are avowedly wars OF ag-
gTession are things of the past even be-
tween nations that believe they have rea-
soa to be dissatisfied with their lot. There
exists at the present time SO great desire
feg peace, increased by the general system
Of obligatory military service and dread OF
the effects Of modern warfare, that every
government which is resolved to mako
war will use every effort, for the sake of
tts own people, to avoid the odium Of be.
ing the aggressor There is more freedom
nowadays to discuss the question as to
who is responsible for war.
"The notion that English influence was
The inconceigable cause which induced
Cspriyi on that account not to renew tho
>~srsaty with Russia is unintclligible. The
sgurss of time has taught US that the
oIuission to renew the treaty has not led
70 diminish peace guarantees for Ger
many Did the acute danger of war arise
nj apg time in those yeprsp No. 1t is said
shS the policy embittered our relations
with Russia. resent the temptation to
compare our relations with that country
before and after 1890, Comparison ia un-
necessary and useless, and it will always
rebound to the honor OF Prince Bismarck
that he knew how, in difficult times, to
maintain our relations with Russia on a
good and friendly footing, make them
usstul in case Of war and serve indirectly
to the maintenance of peace. History will
place these services in still clearer light
than have done
"The relations between Russia and
France do not date from 1890, but began
In the 70s. They developed since and con-
currently with the consolidation of the
French system of government and even
before 1890 this development had not boen
suspended In fact it then attracted moro
attention in political and military circles
than 1t does now. The idea that the duty
Of Germany Is to divide two great nations
never existed. 1t would cost us sacrifices
shat we could not afford.
"Germany will faithfully and undeviat-
ingly adhere to tho drUibund, and will
cultivate friendly relations with Russia
on the basis of maintaining friendly rela-
tions with the other powers by respecting
their rights in the same measure that they
respect ours, and being over ready on our
side to throw our influence into the scales
9or peace"
Baron Won Manteuffel snid he failed to
ses why the agreement was not renewed.
II was satisfactory, however, he added, to
hear that Germany's relations with her
allies are unimpulred, and that her rela-
lions with Russia are on the best footing
as they are more important to Germany
than those Of tho other powers
y Count Won MrbaOh, the agrarlan
Header, expressed great satisfaction at the
fact that the minister for foreign affairs
Ind acknowledged Prince Bismarck's ser.
vices, and the count agreed entirely with
the minister mentioned, except in the lat
ters opinion of the value Of rsinsurances
He would rejoice to see the government
return to such agreement, and, he added
Prince Bismarck, by the revelations, had
done the German people u great service
The suggestions that they were directed
against the crown, added the agrarian
leader, were "the height Of insolence ant
baseness."
Herr Lishknscht, the Socialist leader
opened an attack upon Prince Bismarck
saying that AZ little was known Of the oh
feet of Bismarck's revelations as those un'
deriSing tho practice Of a confirmed crimi'
nal. He concluded by saying: 1--WE must
abolish the old diplomacy which was SO
powerful factor in shaping events when
Bismarck was an active part in politics.
Several other members lauded Prince
Bismarck, and finally Herr Richter Glib
sraD expressed tho satisfaction of his party
with the explanations offered by the gov
ernment