The San Francisco call., 1897-03-21
FORENSIC EFFORT
IN THE RE|CHSTAG
Leaders Grow Eloquent on
the Extra Naval
Credits.
Notwithstanding the Array of
Royalty and Gold Lace the
Demands Are Rejected.
Emperor William Will Go Very Sow
in Appealing to the Whole
Nation.

BERLIN, GERMANY, March 20-Ai-
though the Reichstag's rejection of the
Governments demands for extra naval
credits for the construction of new cruis-
ers and a number of torpedo-boats has
been certainty since the declaration oi
DR.. Leber, the leader of the Centrist
party, in the chamber on Thursday, that
the Center would adhere to the decision OF
the Budget COMMITTEES in opposition TO
the demands, the debate which began on
Thursday and eliminated in to-day s
session have been followed with intense
interest.
The chamber was packed with Deputies,
showing the largest attendance Of the ses-
sion, and the diplomatic and other gall
leries were crowded with spectators.
Prince Henry of Prussia, brother of the
Emperor and vice-admiral commanding
the second division of the German fleet
at Kiel, sat in the royal box. He wore the
full uniform of his rank and especial at
tention was directed to him by the sug-
eestion that his presence under the cir
cum stances might be designed to influ-
ence the decision of the house in favor of
the demands, at least in greater m easure
than they were finally conceded, for
Prince Henry is very popular and de-
servedly so.
Among the other distinguished person
ages present were Admiral Knorr, COM
mander-in-chief Of the German navy, and
Baron Seuden Bibrau. the chief of the
Emperor's Naval Cabinet, each with a
suite of officers in full uniform, and sew
eraI Cabinet Ministers.
The discussion throughout the debate
on the credits was of a very lively charac-
ter, the ministerial and opposition speak
ers alike displaying their best oratory.
DR.. Verbennigsen, the old-time National
Liberal leader, who has been very seldom
heard since he became so advanced in
age. showed much of the fire of former
days, in his delivery of an eloquent and
vigorous appeal to the House to support
the grants.
The attack made upon the military and
naval policy of the Government by Herr
voE Vollmar, the Socialist orator, and the
speech of Herr Richter, the Radical
leader, in opposition to the credits. were
splendid forensic efforts, and the response
OF Freiierr Marsehall Won Bieberstein,
Minister of Foreign Affairs, in support OF
the demands, was skiliful presentation
of the necessity for the credits, which
heightened his exalted reputation as a
parliamentary pleader.
After the votes on the credits, VIII ch re-
suited in sustaining the decision of the
Budget Com mittee In refusing the grants
for building two new cruisers and q num-
ber CT torpedo boats, and 10 grant credits
for the construction of one new IRON
ctp in he Lob
which took definite form, of Ministerial
crisis. These rumors had it that the
Kaiser had determined not only to trans
form the Ministry, with some new blood
in it, but TO dissolve the Reichstag; but
how much truth there is in the reports
cannot now be learned
The Vossische Zeitung, in its Issue of
last evening, referred to story which is
now current that the Emperor had in
formed Baron Won Stumm, who, In turn,
had communicated it to the party lead
ers, that if the vote of the Reichstag upon
the naval credits was hostile TO the Gov
ernment he would send both the Minis
ters and the Reichstag adrift. In the
Ministerial circles, however, it is held
that an immediate change of the Min
istry or an appeal to the country is equally
Nlmproba ble.
As matter of fact there is no good
reason gwen upon any side for the over
turning OF the Government, every mem Der
of which has supported the Emperor in
his naval policy. In regard to the dis
solution of the Relchstag and an appeai
to the country, the old argument comes in
that at the present iuncture the country
is certain TO return q Relchstag great
deal more hostile to an increase of the
strength of the navy than the sitting body.
Whatever developments may be i'm
pending, however, the En- mperor will not
be likely to act hastily. The result of the
vote on the credits is not q surprise to
him and for many reasons, international,
internal and external, he will take time
to consider before taking any action.
The celebration of the centenary of
Kaiser Wilhelm l, which will begin on
Monday, March o. distracts the attention
of the public from the political situation.
The Berlin fete in connection with the
celebration began on Thursday last with
concert organized by the merchants of
the city, at which the Emperor was pres
ent. Last evening banquet was given
by the leading representa- tives of trade
and industry and kommers was given
by the mem bers of the Academy of Arts,
the Royal School of Art and the High
School of Music. T1-day the exhibition
of Kaiser Wilhelm l souvenirs was opened,
from which there was a procession of
carriages containing representatives OF
the university and technical schools TO
the mausoleum at Kaiser Park, where the
tomb was covered with flowers
The imperial family VIII go TO the mau-
soleum on Monday, and after that the
Kaiser William l monument will be un.
veiled. Hosts of visitors from the coun-
try are beginning to arrive and everything
presages g grand celebration of the old
Emperor's hundredth birthday.
A story is published in some of the Ber-
lin newspapers that the EN- peror ignored
United States ambassador Uhl on the oc-
casion of the last ball at the Royal Opera
house. and that he also neglected to speak
to Mrs. Uhl. The origin OF the story is
not known, but the statement has not
even suspicion of truth. The fact is that
the Emperor warmly shook Mr.. Uhl by
the hand and held a pleasant converse
lion with him and also paid his compli-
ments 10 Mrs. Uhl in the En- bassador' S
box, chatting pleasantly with her and the
other ladies of the party.