Omaha daily bee., 1897-12-07
NAVAL BILL IN THE REIcHsrAG.
Debate Bcpins Upon the Empcror's
Cherished Mnr Mensurc.

government naval bill. The imperial chan
cellor, Prince Hohenlohe, made a statement
on the subject, saying:
I'VE absolutely require an efficient navy
to maintain the position created for ue by
the army This conviction has gained ground
with very large sections OF the population
and I declare in the name OF the federated
governmental that they ccosider as an imper-
alive necessity that the navy should be
strengthened, and that Its strength should
be fixed by legislative enactment.
The bill, It Is true. demands a certain sac
rlfce from the Reicbstag, but by its adoption
the hands of the government will also be
tied. The idea OF a pollcy Of adventure Is far
from the thoughts OF the government, as is
any intention OF rivalry with the great mari
time oowers. II we desire to secure posi-
ton in the concert of 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 fatherland." CHEERS from
tho right)
Admiral Won Tirpitz the secretary of the
navy, then addressed the house, explaining
in detail the necessity for introducing the
bill to strengthen the German navy. He
pointed out that the proposed new ships
would establish q basis which for long time
to 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 debarred from retardng
the rate of construction, but he insisted no
further restrictions would be imposed upon
parliament
The secretary OF the navy said that in con-
necton with the completion of the Kaiser
Wilhelm canal tactical calculations were
made in regard to the necessary strength of
the fleet in order to render offensive action,
even on the present strongest naval qower,
impossible. He added:
I'm the demand for two squadrons of eight
ships each we are supported by the whole
corps Of naval officers, am prepared to give
more detailed explanations in committee re-
garding the military points involved.
"Our active fleet is a fleet for defense.
| What we ask is the minimum necessary to
enable us to throw a heavy weight into the
| scales on the side of peace. In 1904 our fleet
will no longer be quantite neglible,' and
| the powers maritime interests will have ia
creased. IL underrate the Importance of this
would endanger the interests of the empire
| generally"
| In conclusion Admiral Tirpitz declared
that the present system of voting naval sup
| plies must be changed, and he appealed to
| the Reichstag to favorably consi5er the gov
| ernments measure. The admiral's remarks
were greeted with cheers from several fac
| tions.
Herr Schoenlanck, social democrat, opposed
the bill. He thought it curious that the flaws
in the navy had only now been discovered
| bpinp
frighten the people with phantoms and excite
them to a craving for glory. How, the
speaker asked, could this be reconclled with
| the pacific declarations of the emperor!
Referring to the occupation of Kiao Chau
| bay by the German squadron in Chinese
] waters, he said that if Germany established
| itself in China it would become involved in
enGless complications with Great Britain and
! Japan. Germany, he declared would never
be naval power. The bill, he said, was the
outcome of personal rule
Count Linnburg-Stirum, the conservative
leader disputed Herr Schoenlanck's asser.
ton. I'VE must arm ourselves for the
eventuality of war. Why should a German
charge d'afraires be obliged to submit to be
treated with shameless arrogance by the
blacks of Hayti, and how was it that the
only TO telegraph in order to at once obtain
efficient support"
Count Posadowski, minister of the interior
said the federal government had no idea o.
arresting social legislation. Herr Schoen
lanck," he continued, had spoken of abso
lutst tendencies in a certain quarter, but i
Herr Schoenlancks views are ever adopte;
by majority Of the Reichstag there vii
be no need Of absolutism to destroy Par
liamentarism." (Cheers and counter cheers.
Tho minister for foreign affairs, Baron VOL
Bulow, said: Herr Schoenlack's fears tina
| we saall plunge into adventures are not wei
, grounded The chancellor and his colleague
/ arc men no. 10 seek useless quarrels. w
: do not poke our fngers into every pie, but
nevertheless, Germany must not renounc
its claim to have a share of the countrle
, having a rich future. In times past whel
Germany resigned the land to one neighbo
and the sea to another, it kept for itsel
only the heavens, where pure doctrin
dwells.
1.-The object Of the expedition to Kla
Clau bay is to obtain satisfaction and create
guarantees against the repetition OF such oc
cuTrence. We do not wish to intimidate o
provoke China. Notwithstanding the gray
injustice done we desire u continuance G
its friendship In addition to the murder G
y tho two German missionaries, whom W
cannot allow to be regarded as outlaws, W
have had number of other serious ground
= for complaint We cannot allow the view t
Y become established in China that German
5 can be trelted in a manner which other ma
! tisls do not permit. German missionaries
Y contractors, goods and vessels must be re
I spected exactly as those of other countrie:
= I'VE are quite ready TO consider tn
Asiatic interests of the other powers fee
| ing sure due regard will be paid TO our
b We wish to push no one into the shade, br
: we demand our share of the sun. True
}, the traditions OF German policy, we wi
without unnecessary acerblty, but at th
= same time without weakness, protect OF
rights and interests" prolonged cheers.)
Tne House adjourned until tomorrow.
TROUBLES NEARING A SETTLEMENT