New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-01
EMPEROR TO REICHSTAG.
YIN READS THE SPEECH FROM THE
THRONE IN PERSON.
NEED OF DEVELOPING THE NAvY-MIL1TARY
PENAL REFORM FINANCES OF THE
couNrRY-THE MURDER OF MIS-
sIONARIEs IN CHINA.


sroNARIEs IN CHINA.
Berlin. Nov SO-The last session Of the present
Relchstag was opened at noon to-day by the
Emperor in person, for the hrst time since
1894 The ceremony took place In the Whl'e
Hall Of the Royal Castle. His Majesty read the
speech from the throne, in which the Navy oc
cupied the principal place The passage on 'hiS
subject a follows:
The development Of the German Navy does
not correspond with Germany's mission at sea,
ana In the event Of warlke complications IL
would not suffice TO assure the security Of the
home ports and coasts against blockade OF
more extensive operations on the part Of the
er envy Neither has 1t kept pace with the rapio
e owth of German transoceanc interests While
srman trade is participating increasingly III
the worlds exchange of merchandise, the num-
h.r ~ orr war vessels does not suffice to afford
our countrymen abroad the measure OF protection
corresponding with Germanys position. nor the
support which can only be secured by display
lf power.
although It is not our object to vie with the
maritime powers Of the hrst rank Germany
must nevertheless be placed in position 70
maintain by means Of preparedness at sea- nor
prestige among the peoples Of the globe TO TINS
end the strengthening OF our home meet OF
hattle-ships and the increase In the NUMBER OF
our vessels intended for foreign service IN time
~ peace become necessary. and IN oroer 10
,ain firm ground for urgent measures whch
co,not any longer be postponeo the feoerai
rorrr,snt considers It expedient to determine
nv legislative enactment the strength OF 'he
Navy and the period In which 1t Is 10 De attained
With this object IL view, bill VIII De SUD-
,,,,,ea 70 the Reichstag for constitutionally ar
ry,ng at decision. and later. with the vie"
% the promotion Of transoceanic interests
b,u will also be introduced for improving the
mail steamship communication with Eastern
Asia"
REFORM IN MILITARY PENAL PROCEDURES
Referring to the projected reform In the mill
,srv penal procedure the Emperor said: Ihe
nroposed reform while following as far as pos
sibe the lines Of the Civil Penal Code meets
the requirements absolutely necessary for the
maintenance Of dis ,pline. The bill will he SUD-
mitted without 9elay
The Emperor then touched on the hnaHces Vi
the country, saying: The general cohoi,ioh VI
the finances is satisfactory. and cohsiae'
able portion Of the anticipated surplus VIII ne
employed as last year. In reducing 'he Hiipe'ia
dept An economic committee CONSISTING ..
rsn,esentatives Of ina :stry. agriculture and
exnert advice 1t Is intended TO define the condi-
-, ora scona Of the extensive ramifcations OF
home production in order to obtain hrm OASIS
r,on which TO shape future customs tari1s ana
,,rmercial relations with foreign countries
lie development Of our protectorates' on the
,o,, Ia satisfactory. The rinderpest IN SCUM
Tes. Africa. has necessitated the construction
CT + ilroads to facilitate transportation The
results Of the negotiations with France Tor the
delinritation Of the Togo -Dahomey boundaries
tend 10 benefit the economic interests OF both
countries"
Referring to the murder OF the two German
missionaries Neis and Hennle In China, the
Emneror remarked: THE murder Of the
missionaries In China and the attacks on mls1I
sion stations which have been placed under my
imperial protection. and their welfare. which
have at heart have compelled me 10 cause my
SQUADRON m Eastern Asia 20 proceed to hlao-
Chau Bay. the point nearest to the scene OF the
outrage. and land troops in order 10 obtain
reparation and security against recur'
r, Of similar lamentable events
ncerning the general political situation, his
.sty said: "Our political relations with for-
Ell. States are In every way gratifying ana
v,L able guarantees OF the main tenance OF these
, ations have again been afforded me by my
nee .ings with the allied and friendly monarchs.
as well as by the brilliant and cordial receptions
corded me in my visits to Peterhof and Buda-
:, st" ,
H. conclusion the Emperor remarked: AN
tr ,ications Justify the expectation that with
GJl's help We may in the future, as in the past:
look forward to the peaceful development OF
)pe and the German Fatherland
THE EMPERORs OATH.
After reading his speech the Emperor added:
Two years ago. from this platform. ! swore be-
fore you on the consecrated colors of my lst
Reldnent OF Guards, 10 preserve the empire as
took it from my grandfather. and to project
and safeguard It's honor abroad You have
taus all become parties 10 my oath. and pray.
in the name Of the empire and In the presence
O. Almighty Cod that He Will assist you in
your work and help me TO protect, in the future.
g. in the past. the honor Of the empire abroad.
which have not valued too low TO give my
only brother in pledge for H."
The Empress, with Prince Henry Of Prussia,
Prince Frederick Leopold and their wives. was
present at the opening The Emperor wore the
Uniform CT the Garde du Corps Of the Black
Eagle. with eagle-crested helmet. He read
his speech in a clear voice. the Deputies preserv-
rg silence until he reached the passage re-
ferring to the occupation Of Kiao-Chau. This
greeted with loud cheers.
IT is supposed that his Majestys address had
fenced when he remarked that all Indications
justified the expectation that. with coos heip,
the German people might look forward to the
peaceful development of Europe and the Father
land but, to the establishment Of everybody. in
Guiding Prince Hohenlohe. the Imperial Chan
cellor, the Emperor handed his manuscript back
20 the Prince and then. raising his voice. ADDED
extemporaneously the illusions to his oath two
years ago from the same platform. upon the
colors OF the lst Regiment Of the Guards, and
the statement that all before MIN had thus bee
come parties 10 his oath. pledged to assist him
in protecting the honor OF the Empire abroad
This addition a. extensively criticised as vir-
tually undoing the effect Of the unusual modera-
ton OF the official speech. which was conspicuous
by the absence OF such phrases as my army.
my navy" my Empire" and similar custom
sry evidences Of Imperial impulsiveness.
At the close of the ceremony the members
repaired To the Rechstag where Baron Won
Buol. as President Of the House at the last
session opened the sitting. After welcoming
the President annninted