The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-01
LAST SESSION OF THE PRESENT
REICHsTAG OPENED BY HIS
MAJESTY.
NAVAL PROGRAMME URGED
PARLIAMENT ASKED T0 VOTE THE
MONEY WANTED FOR NEW
SHIPS.
POOR IMPRESSION ON THE PUBLIC.
Comment on the Address of the EN-
peror in General Is Unfavor-
able in Character.

BERLIN, Nov. 3O.-The last session
of the present reichstag was opened to-
day. Emperor William opened the ses-
sion in person, for the first time since
1894. The ceremony took place in the
White hall of the royal castle. His
majesty read the speech from the
throne.
The navy occupied the principal place
in the speech. The passage on this sub
ject was as follows:
1.-THE DEVELOPMENT of the German navy does
not correspond with Germanys mission at
sea and, in the event of. warlike complica-
tons it would not suffice to assure the Sc
curity Of the home ports and coasts against
a blockade or more extensive operations upon
the part of the enemy. Neither has 1t kept
pace with the rapid growth Of German trans
oceanic interests. While German trade is
participating increasingly in the worlds ex-
change of merchandise, the number OF our
war vessels does not suffice to afford our
countryInen abroad the measure of protection
corresponding with Germany's position not the
support which can only be secured by Aus, as
to vie with the maritime powers OF the first
rank, Germany must nevertheless be placed
in a position to maintain, by means of pre-
paredness at sea, her presuge among the
people of the globe
Abiding to the projected reform in
the military procedure, his majesty
In his speech said:
1.-The proposed reform, while following SO
far as possible the lines OF the civil penal
code, meets the requirements absolutely
necessary for the maintenance of discipline.
The bill will be submitted without delay"
The emperor's speech then touched
upon the finances of the country, on
which subject his majesty remarked:
1.-The general condition of the finances
is satisfactory, and considerable pOr-
ton of the anticipated surplus will be
employed, as last year, in reducing
the imperial debt.
IAN economic committee, consisting Of rep;
resentat.ves of industry, agriculture and
trade has been appointed by means of whose
expert advice it Is intended to define the
conditions and scope OF the extensive raml-
fcations of home productions, IN order TO an
tan a firm basis upon which to shape fut-
ure customs tariffs and commercial relations
with foreign countries.
Referring to the navy demonstrations in
which have been placed under my imperial
protection, and their welfare, which l have
at heart, have compelled me to cause my
squadron in Eastern Asia to proceed to Kaio
Chau Bay, the point nearest to the scene
of the outrage, and land troops In order to
obtain full reparation and security against
recurrence of similar lamentable events"
Touching the general political situa-
ton, his majesty says:
"Our political relations with fore gn states
are in every way gratifying, and valuable
guarantees of the maintenance of these re-
lationS have again been afforded me- by my
meetings with the allied and friendly mon
archs, as well as by the brilliant and cordial
receptions accorded me in my visits to Pet
erhof and Buda Pest"
Tho speech from the throne con-
clude q:
"All indications justly The expectations
that, with Gods help, we may in the future.
as in the past, look forward to the peaceful
development of Europe and the German
fatherland''
After reading his speech, the emperor ad-
ded: Two years ago, from this platform
color of my First regiment of guards, to pre-
serve the empire as took it from my grand
father and to protect and safeguard it's honor
abroad. You have thus all become parties
to- my oath and l pray in the name of the
empire and the presence of Almighty God
that he will assist you in your work and help
me to protect, in the future as in the past,
the honor of the empire abroad, which have
not valued too low to give my only brother
in pledge for it."
At the conclusion Of the ceremony,
the members repaired to the reichstag
where Baron Won Bubul, as president of
the house, at the last session: opened
the sitting. After welcoming the men,
bers, the president appointed temp crary
secretaries.
Among the bills already presented to
the reichstag are the budget bill, the
naval bill and the bill providing for re-
forming military penal procedure.
The roll call showed that ia mem
bers of the reichstag were present at
the opening of the sitting. The election
for members of the presidential bureau
will take place tomorrow. Ambassador
White and United States Consul Cen
eral Goldschmidt attended the opening
sitting of the reichstag.
The speech from the throne is I'M
favorably criticised as a rule, by those
who have up to the present been able
to weigh it.