The herald., 1897-02-07
A Proposed Union of the Liberal
Parties
THE GOVERNMENT POLICY
Has Already Estra nged Many Thousands
OF Electors
Wholesale Retirement Of Ablebodled Men In
creases Observation-Disclosures Still
Talking-Kneebe's Case
Associated Press Special Wire

-
BERLIN, Feb. s.--(Copyright. 1S97.)--
The predicted consolidation of the Lib
eral political parties in Germany has
now been seriously undertaken by the
leaders and the executive committees
of the various factions. The two Radi-
cal wings, headed by Herren Richter and
Rickert, have arrived at an understand
ing for united action in all the reichstag
electoral districts now represented by
Conservatives but believed to- be ready
for a change.
The South German Radical parties
are expected to enter into the union.
The Liberal press and part of the Ma
tional Liberal press. such as the Nation
al Zeitung and the Cologne Gazette, are
advocating union, while the Vossische
Zeitung, the Tageblatt and the Frank
furter Zeitung enthusiastically support
the scheme. Since 1890 the Liberals have
lost much ground but the leaders be-
lieve that the reactionary agrarian pol
icy of the government has since es-
tranged many thousand of electors and
that the Liberals, if they unite, can now
gain q majority In the reichstag at the
elections of 1897
The reichstag, for many years past,
has adopted a resolution providing for
the payment of members, but the Bun
desrath has always annulled it. The
government has now intimateG that it
is prepared to support the payment OF
members if the reichstag passes an
amendment restricting the electoral
franchise. The reichstag, however, is
not likely to accept this proposition.
The first court ball took place on We'd
nesday and was a great success. About
1000 people attended and the costumes
were brilliant. United States Ambassa-
DOR and Mrs. Uhl We're among those
present. The emperor intends to give
a costume bali on February 14th in
honor of the centenary of William H.,
and it is said it will surpass any pre-
vious similar ball.
The Cologne Volks Zeitung claims
that Emperor William after the recent
revelations. wrote a personal letter to
Prince Bismarck, appealing to him, on
the ground of patriotism, to cease his
divulging of German state politics.
Speaking of the revela tions of Polish
agitation in Germany. Prince Bismarck
is reported to have said in an interview
this week: The gang against which
had to fight hard at the foundation and
the building up of the empire. has now
made itself much at home with u.s.
Prince Bismarck warmly approved Of
the appointment of Count Muravieff as
Russian minister for foreign affairs, say
ing: He is just the man 1 always hoped
to see Russian foreign minister. If he
turns out as I expect. he will do Well"
The wholesale retirement from active
duty of army officers in the prime of life
is continued and has now aroused even
the opposition of the National Liberals
There is much Indignation in Wurtem-
burg at the fact that several excellent
South German generals, the eldest being
50 years old, including Generals Won
Grief, Plaff and Delien, although in
perfect health, have been retired and re-
placed by the Prussian generals of the
same age.
The emperor and empress, accompan-
led by the hereditary prince of Sake
Meiningen. are going to Hrschberg, ST.
lesia, on February 10Th, where they will
enjoy tobogganing on the numerous
steep tracks from the mountains. The
slnow there is ten feet deep.
Robert F. Kneebes, the American
horseman who was sentenced yesterday
to nine months imprisonment and to
pay fine OF 1000 marks. in addition to
being deprived of all civil rights for two
years after having been convicted of
racing the trottinS mare Bethel on Ger
man tracks under the name of Nellie
Kneebes, may have to stand trial again,
this time on the charge of conspiracy to
commit perjury.
The hearing of the charges against the
editors of the BismaTckian Deutsche
Tagzetitung, who are alleged to have
intrigued against the foreign office, has