The herald., 1897-12-05
GERMAN DEBTS
Make the KaiSer'S Schemes
Unpopular
NAVAL AND MILITARY BILLS
NOW SEEM DOOMED TO CERTAIN
DEFEAT
The Teuton Preparing for a Long
Struggle Over Troubles With
China-German Gossip
;sociated Press Special Wire.

ioiiticdliy, tHlS mas Deen q lively week
in Germany, the opening of the reich
stag being the first feature of import
ance. with the Chinese question good
second
When he made his speech from the
throne in the white hall of the castle
on Tuesday Emperor William had every
thing arranged to render the scene i'm
pressive. On the landing of the stairs
hung colossal painting, showing the
emperor taking the oath on the colors in
the presence of the same rechstag, but
the effect was wholly inadequate. The
majority Of the delegation on leaving the
castle openly and vigorously criticised
the speech.
| The Cologne Volks-Zeitung, comment
ing on the whole scene, said: There is
chasm between the emp1or and the
nations representatives"
| Continuing, the Volks-Zeitung reminds
his majesty that since his accession the
debt has been increased by 1,500. 000,0 900
marks, almost exclusively for military
and naval purposes Where does this
lead to?" the paper asks.
AS matter Of fact, this reichstag will
stand or fall with the two important bills
introduced by the government on open
ing day-the naval bill and the bill for
the reform Of military trials-and Meth
er will pass in the present shape.
| That may be safely predicted. Talks
which the correspondent here of the AS
sociated Press has had with the leaders
of the mapority of parties make it evil
dent that the opposition to the govern
ment's bills will not be overcome. The
Center party objects to the naval bill
chiefly on account Of the septennate
feature. which would curtail the reich
stag's constitutional prerogatives and
bind the SUCCESSORS of the present reich
stag during their whole Legislative period
of five years and longer. The Socialists
and all the radical factions, however, OBJ
ject to the bill principally on account
Of the enormous expenses. The Tage-
blatt says:
"How shall we characterize the con-
duct of the government which dares to
put such bill before the peoples repre-
sentatives?"
The Borsen Courier and other moder-
ate papers also condemn the measure
and predict it's failure. Some of the pa
pers, however, especially the Conserva-
tive organs, uphold the naval bill.
| One of the governments arguments in
the memorial accompanying the bill is
immigration. Reviewing the past flow
to the United States, it expresses the
hope that with larger navy and con-
sequent larger sea trade, this migra-
ton may be more largely diverted to the
German colonies.
The first reading of the naval bill will
take place on Monday, but unless the
government Is able to accelerate the
proceedings, a vote cannot be taken
until March 18th.
ORIENTAL QUESTIONS.
The emperor will witness the depart
ure of his brother, Prince Henry of
Prussia, from Kiel for China.
1t is believed in government and in
parliamentary circles that the trouble
with China will not be adjusted for
long time. The four vessels which are
going out under Prince Henry's COM
mand have been fitted out for Is months
service.
In regard to the statement of the Ger
man papers, the correspondent here of
the Associated Press learns that no in
structiors regarding China have been
sent to the United States ambassador,
Andrw White, from Washington.
POLITICAL AND PERSONAL
The downfall of Count Badeni, the late
Austrian premier, was received with re-
joicing in Germany. The AustrianS of
Berlin Illuminated their houses in honor
of the event and the entire press eX-
pressed satisfaction. Even the govern
ment newspapers. which have hitherto
been very cautious, express pleasure at
the counts retirement from power.
Prince Bismarck's Hamburg Nachrich-
ten voices the same sentiment.
The Center party has reintroduced the
bill providing for the admission of Jesu-
it's into Germany.
The budget contains an item fixing the
salary of the imperial chancellor at
900 marks, instead of 1000 marks. 1t
is said the increase is in accordance with
a promise the emperor made Prince Ho-
henlohe, his present salary being made
quate, in view of the lavish entertain
ments expected fhis office. The item
will be the subject Of lively attacks upon
the part of the Socialists and Radicals.
The city of Berlin is to float a loan of
6S,0 900, 900 marks for municipal improve
ments, of which sum 26,OOO, 900 is for ex-
tending the sewerage system.
An interesting case has just been de-
cided by the Saxony government. A
Saxon-born lady, wife of an American
professor, after obtaining divorce, re-
turned home to Saxony and wished to
resume her rights as Saxon subject, to
which the American law offers no OBJ
stacle, but the Saxony government de-
cided against her. She has appealed to
the American embassy.
An American club is being formed
under the auspices of the United States |!
ambassador and consul general A men,
bership of 300 is guaranteed.
Mrs. White has recovered from her ILL |
ness and has returned from Paris. She |
and her husband now occupy their resi-
dence on Lennistrasse.
The Berlin Post this week asked for the |
expulsion of MRS. Herz a native Ameri-
can and daughter of Cornelius Herr
of Panama fame, who is here in strait
ened circumstances and has been earn
ing her living as teacher of English and !
French. At the intercession of the |
United States embassy, passport be-
ing granted her, she was permitted to |
stay.