The record-union., 1897-01-17
Offers the Best Solution of the Present
Military Question.
The Advent of the Imperial Family at
Berlin Brings the Social Season to
Its Hight-Sharp Freezing Weather
and Snowstorms Prevailing in Ger
many, and Rivers Are Fast BeCom-
ing Closed by Ice.

BERLIN, Jan. 16-Outside of mill
tary and Government circles, with the
press the exponents of their views, the
general arbitration treaty just signed
by Great Britain and the United States
is hailed with delight. The Centrist
and Freissinige newspapers concur IN
acclaiming the treaty as offering the
very best solution of the question how
to escape from the system of militarism
which is now draining the life blood of
Europe and advocate similar measure
on the part of the continental powers.
The leading CentriSt organ, Ger
mania,'' predicts that the conclusion of
the Anglo-American treaty will intiu-
ence the party Of the Center. which is
now the strongest party in the Reich
stag, in dealing with the demands of
the imperial Government for large in
crease in the army estimates for the
purpose of augmenting the artillery
and other branches of the military ser
vice Pursuing the subject, the paper
asks why this momentous event-the
signing of the treaty-cementing peace
between 110,0O0,OO0 of people, ought
not to lead to some understanding be-
tween other countries.
The "Frankfurter Zeitung" is also
enthusiastic over the treaty, which it
says will encourage the friends of peace
in Germany to exert their energies to-
ward a general reduction of the arma-
ments of Europe, and settle all future
disputes by means of arbitration, in
stead of resort to arms.
The North German Gazette" the or
gan of the Government, on the other
hand, upholds the principle of militar-
ism, and scoffs at the idea of universal
peace, which it characterizes as mere
delusion of the democracy. War the
Gazette" declares. has been great
factor in the advance of civilization.
The policy of peace at any price is de-
grading There is a good deal of sham
behind the American and English ex-
pressions Of mutual sentiment. Both
nations have common concern in Angli-
cizing the world, and other nations
have small inducement to follow their
example"
The proceedings in the Reichstag this
week have been of the humdrum order.
More than half of the members are still
absent, not having returned from their
holiday vacations, and it has been
very difficult matter to obtain quorum
in the chamber.
The leaders of the party of the Cen
ter are about to introduce a bill SINH
lar to the impracticable HeintZe law,
which was dropped after its reference
to a committee of the ReichStag in
1892, because the measure was found
to be unavoidable. The new bill pro-
vides for the punishment of offenders
against decency and morality upon the
stage and platform, and in the columns
of the press, imposing the penalty of a
years imprisonment and a fine of L. ,00G
marks upon persons convicted of vio-
lation of the provisions of the Act.
Such a law would be an awful weapon
in the hands of the authorities. Ac-
cording to the terms of the proposed
measure as they are now known, the
bill far exceeds in severity and scope
the existing censorship of the stage
and the powers conferred upon the po-
lice authorities to dissolve or prevent
meetings; yet it is pretty we'll under
stood that the Ministers are inclined to
support the measure.
Deputy Ring, who has been assured
of the support of the Conservatives,
National Liberal and Centrist members
of the Prussian Unterhaus, has given
notice of his intention to introduce a
bill in that body providing for the sub
lection of all cattle imported into Ger
many to one months quarantine, with
out reference to their condition. and to
prohibit absolutely the importation of
Russian pigs, dressed pork and poultry.
The proposed measure also provides for
the temporary exclusion of Austro-
cattle. So far as Russia is
the purpose of the proposal
will be partially baked by the con-
vention which has just been concluded
between Germany and Russia, permit
ting Russian pork to be imported into
Germany after it has undergone in
spection.
Dr. Ahlwardt, the notorious Jew bait
er. who spent some months in America
upon an unsuccessful lecturing tour of
the United States, recently caused it to
be annuonced that he was about to re-
turn to Berlin, but he has not yet ar
rived. 1t was also said that he had
sent his wife the sum of $50 marks dur
ing his absence, but this report is de-
that her husband left her and her chill
dren destitute, and has not contributed
a penny to their support since he went
away Frau Ahlwardt has sent word
to her husband threatening to turn over
his correspondence in her possession to
his opponents.
The imperial family came to Berlin
from Potsdam on Monday, and the sea-
son is now at its hight.
Sharp freezing weather and heavy
snowstorms have prevailed during the
week, and the rivers are fast being
closed by ice.
1t is reported that the CZarina, whose
is expected soon, has been
seriously ILL., and in consequence there
We're no receptions during the Russian
New Year week. The CZarina's physi-
clans say that long rest, with perfect
quiet at Livadia, will be necessary to
restore her to health.
General Bronsart Won Schellendorf
late Minister of War, is paying a visit
to Prince Bismarck at FriedrichSruhe
and the two veterans walk out together