The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-02-13
GERMAN MILITARlSM.
Breezy Debate on the Subject in
s the Reiohstag,
DENoUUoINa THE SOCIALISTS

General Won Gossler, the War Minister
Intimates That There Can be No Le-
nienoy for Tbem-rhey Arc Ably De-
fended by Herr Rebel.
Berlin, Feb. 12.-The reichstag yes
terday discussed the army estimates
and Herr Vollmer, the Socialist leader,
took occasion to criticize militarism in
Germany. In so doing he advocated the
better feeding and housing Of the sol
diers, and said that social democracy
has no need of barrack room agitation'
but in view Of the possibility of war
they should beware Of treating socialist
soldiers in a different manner to others
The minister Of war; General Won
Gossler, replying declared that the
army promoted the peaceful develop
ment of the country He added that
the social democratic propaganda in the
army would be punished and suppress
ed with the utmost vigor, and con-
cluded by remarking:
1--WE say we are with God, for the
king and the fatherland, and we will
provide the religious education of our
soldiers The social democrats say
they are without God and against the
king and fatherland. Social democ-
racy, however, has outlived itself a
long time now"
Herr Bebel, Socialist, supported Herr
Vollmar. He stated that certain higT
circles in the army prosecuted social
democrats He declared that the So
cialists were now all doing duty as
soldiers, and that If ever the call tc
arms came not many of them would
fail to respond.
Referring to the i'll treatment of So
cialists, Herr Bebel complained that
the men could only seek redress in
civil courts after they left the army
for acts of brutality. The rescript o.
Emperor William regarding the sub
ject Of dueling conaicted with the law
as exceptions were permitted. Genera
Won Gossler the minister for war
might say what he liked, continued
Herr Bebel, but humanity was advanc
ing, and monarchy was certainly no
the highest point of development.
The Socialists cheered Herr Bebel'i
remarks, which made quite a stir il
the section of the right
General Won Gossler replied that the
Socialists were reVolutionists, and tina
Herr Bebeps conduct at Hamburg il
calling a captain an lass" only excited
contempt. He said that statistic
showed that deaths from sickness ii
the army, due to maneuvers during no
weather, were steadily decreasing
Suicides and cases of ill treatmen
were also on the decrease. If cases o
Ill treatment and duels still occurre,
they must be regarded as being du
to human nature Concerning tn
matter of rescript, the minister 70
war thought that honor and all ar
best safe guarded in the hands of tn
supreme war lord"
Loud and long continued ConserVa
tive applause followed this statement
Replying to the questions concern
ing the case of the lieutenant sentenc
ed to imprisonment for killing a work
man at Karlsruhe by running hin
through the back with a sword, tn
mans only offense being that he acci
dentally struck the lieutenant's chai
while entering a cafe, for which h
apolCgized in vain, but was killed b.
the angry officer, who imagined tha
his honor had been tarnished by tn
alleged insult, General Won Gossle
said that the offending lieutenant
| Brusewitz, had been cashiered and i'm
prisoned. The war minister acknowl
edged that the homicide was inten
tional, but he claimed, ii was not com
mitted with premeditation. Lieuten
ant Brusewitz was drunk at the timl
but it must be admitted by all, sal
General Won Gossler that there wer
extenuating circumstances, owing t
the insolence of the victim.