The San Francisco call., 1897-12-07
IN TIL REICHSTAG.
An Interesting Dsbate Upon the
First Reading OF the GOVern-
mSnt Naval Bill

mSnt naval 3 ii.
BERLIN, Dec. 6.-The Rechstag to-day
began the debate upon the first reading
OF the Government naval bill. The I'm
perial Chancellor, Prince Hohenlohe.
made a statement on the subject, saying 4:
I'VE absolutely require an efficient navy
to maintain the position created r US by
the army. This conviction has gained
ground with very large sections of the
population, and declare in the name of
the federated governments that they con-
slider as an imperative necessity that
the navy should be strengthened, and
that its strength should be liked by egis-
lative enactment. The bill, ii i true, de-
mands a certain sacrifice from the Reic b.
STAG, but by its adoption the hands 0f the
Government will also be tied. The adop-
ton of a policy of adventure is far from
the thoughts of the Government, as is
any intention OF rivalry with the great
maritime powers. Ii we desire to secure
d position in the concer. nf the powers,
which we must have. a feet of modest
dimensions will be adequate. | ask you
to adopt the bill for the welfare of the
FatherIand." Cheers from the Right
Admiral Won T.rpits the Secretary of
tn Navy, then addressed the House, ex-
planning In detail the necessity for intro
daclng the bin to streng hen the German
navy. He pointed out hat 1.-THE proposed
new ships would estab ism basis, which.
for long time 10 come. would meet the
requirements of the country. By the
adoption of the bill, the Secretary of the
NAVY continued, the next Reichstag would
be deoarred from retarding the rate of
construction, but he insisted that no fur
| ther restrictions would be imposed upon
Parliament.
Herr Schoenlank, Social Democrat, op-
posed the bill. He thought it curious tha t
the flaws in the navy had only now beer
discovered. Attempts were being made.
| he claimed, to friQhten the people with
| phantoms and excite them to a crayin .
! FOR glory. How, the speaker asked could
this be reconcIled with the pacific declara-
tlons of the EN- peror2
| Referring o the occupation of Kiao Chau
| Bay by the German squad ron IN Chinese
waters, he said that if Germany estab
| lished herself in China she would pec ON G
| involved in endless compl cations wit h
| Great Britain and Japan. Germany. he
deciared, would never be naval power.
| The Dill, he said, was the outcome of per-
| sonal rule.
Count LIN mburg-Stlrrum, the Couserva-
| tive leader, disputed Herr Sch oenlank's
contention. 1--WE have no guarantee oil
peace" he said, "and must arm ourselves
for the eventuality of war. Why should
German Charge d 'Affa res be Obliged to
submit to be treated With shameless arro-
! gance by the blacks of Hay i? And how
was it that the Minister carried hi, point
Because he had only to telegraph in order
| to at once obtain efficient support"
Count Posadowski Minister for the In
| terror. was the next speaker. He said the
| Federal Government had no idea OF ar.
! resting social iegislati ton.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bar on
Won Bulow, said: Herr Schoe nlank's
fears that we shall plunge into adventures
are not well grounded. The Chancellor
| and his colleagues are not men 10 seek
useless quarrels. We do not poke our
! fingers into every PIE, but nevertheless
Germany must not renounce her claim ;o
| have a share of the countries having a
| rich future. In times past, when Ger.
many resigned the land to one neig bol
! and the sea 10 anothsr, she kept for her.
| self only the heavens, where pure doc.
| tr ne dwells."
Herr Bsrthel, the Freissinnige leader,
said further light would he thrown on the
bill in com mittee. The Freisinnige party,
! he aided, had no idea of rejecting the
measure summarily.
Count Won Jazdzwski, the Polish leader
declared the Poles would not accept the
| bill in its present shape.
The House adjourned until to- morrow.