The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-03-22
ALMOST A CABINET CRISIS.
Oyer The Distribution Of the Surplus Ct
the German Imperial ReYenps.
40 iPROEISE WAS FINALLY REACHED.
The Emperor inferred Himself In the Mat
ter-Ths Investigation of the Charges
Against DIR. Peters VIII Proba-
bly, he Protracted.


RrRI.IN March 2l-The strong di-
yergence of opinion existing between Ut.
NicueI. Pruss!an Minister OF FINANCE ana
count Posadowaky- Wehner. Imperial
Minister of the Treasury, over the ques-
tion of the disposition OF the years sur
Mus Of the Imperial revenue, has come
very near producing a Cabinet crisis Inc
aesi- has been very widely discussed by
the press and public. and has diNioei pun
lie interest in the matter OF the atl.tuue
Of the Dreibund toward the Angio-Esyp-
tian expedition. The newspapers nave
made the announcement that Count foso,
dowsM has resigned and have also hii'eu
~ Dr AiioueVs resignation, but neither
the announcement or the susgesuoi W.
true. Vhe facts Of the case are that an
actual crisis has been averted leaving Dr.
Niouel I'm occupation OF the stronghold
~ advantage. fortified by tho statutes.
Under the laws and constitution o. tne
empire the surplus Of the imperiai reNe-
nue goes 10 the federated States by di-
vision.
CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
The trouble came about in this way;
Count Posadowsk proposed TO ooinpiy
with the spirit Of a recent vote OF me
Reichstag. and divert part or the sur
nlus for the amortization Of the debt or
the empire. and DR.. Lieber, leader oil
the Centrist party. supported Count Posa-
dowsh BY introducing in the Reichstss
motion proposing the creation or an I'M
perial sinking fund. while Or. Mlquei al
hered 20 the statutes providing FOR the
division Of tho surplus among the ied-
Grated 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 seem 10
have suspected the intention OF the Em-
pcrOr to interfere. and 1t 10 probable That
this action was the result Of suddenly
formed resolution. His Majesty, first
drove to the chsncellerie, presuming that
the Council was being held there. lie
found that Prince HohenlOhe was alb
sent. and that no Council was I'm session
there. From the Chancellerie ne drove
TO the Reichstag buildln-, and entered
the Bundesr1th chamber whero the min
isters were assembling. lie took o. seat
next 10 Prince Hohenlohe. and gave close
attention 10 the discussion. In tho de-
bate which ensued, DR.. Miguel supported
the Bavarian. Wurtem0ur, end saxony
plcnirOtenti8ries in the BundCsrath
He insisted upon the strict observance
OF the provisions OF the statutes contend.
ing that the question had close relation
70 financial reforms, which he had long
planned. IL was necessary. he said, to
demonstrate 70 the Reichstag that the
disposal Of the surplus OF the imperial
revenue must have a bearing upon those
plans.
1t was finally agreed 10 prepare a bill
providing for such temporary aDproprla-
ton Of funds Tor the purpose OF amorti-
zaiioA Of the imperial debt from part of
tLc surplus as VIII not Interfere with the
n fff.1r
lecis.cn IS compromise. endorsing the
principle OF DR.. Leibers proposal with
OUT infringing upon the statutes.
DIR. KAYSER RESIGNS.
The debate in the Reichstac an the
Colonial estimates has had another vic.
I'm besides Or Peters. I'm Or Kavser
the Director Of the Colonial Department
or the Foreign Office. who resigned. N
ls probable that Prince Arenbcrh will be-
come the head OF the Colonial O0ice and
freherr Won Marschall Bierberstein. Min
istef of Foreign Affairs, with view OF
making the post acceptable 10 Prince
ArehDerg' who is understood 10 be will
ing TO raise the Colonial Office from
mere adjunct 10 the Foreign Office TO an
independent section. with "a Secretary Of
State al its head This would imply thar
Prince Arenberg will be colleague OF the
Foreign Minister, not Il subordinate. as
Or. Kay yser has been. This step will not
secure 10 the Government the support OF
the Colonial party and the Centrists in
the Reichstag. IL is possible, However
that the Emperor will not find Prince
Arenberg TO his taste as O.. Secretary OF
State, as the latter IS a strong opponent
Of the idea Of Increasing the strength
OF the navy.
THE PETERS INVESTIGATION.
The inquiry into the accusations made
against DR.. Peters has been cOnhded 10
the direction OF Councillor Schwartkoffen
The principal witness will be Herr Bau-
mann, Austrian consul to Xcrz. bar. VIZ
vent TO Kilimansdro after the executions
which DR.. Peters ordered ha4 occurred
and cleaned from the natives the details
Of the executions. The inquiry promises
10 last a long timo. "a the necessary
witnesses are scattered Throughout the
globe, but the Investigation win not
he suffered 70 fall through owing to the
delays, which VIII be inevitable. The
Centrisfs, Freisslngs. ans Socialists are
as eager 70 see Or. Peters punished as
the other parties are 10 see him ylndl-
Gated, IN possible.