Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-07
THE GOVERNMENT NAVAL BILL,
Comes Up in the German ReiChstag on
Its First Reading.
Prince Hohenloe Opened the De-
bate With a Statement Of the
Governments Desires "A Strong
er Navy Must Be Had if Ger
many Wishes to Maintain Her
Place in the Concert of Powers.
Promised That the Navy Shall
Not Lead to a Policy Of Adven-
ture.

Not Lead to a Policy OF Adven-
ture.
Berlin, December 6.-The Reichstag
to-day began the debate upon the first
reading of the government naval bill.
The imperial chancellor, Prince Hohen-
lohe, made a statement on the subject,
saying:
I'VE absolutely require an efficient
navy to maintain the position created
for US by the army. This conviction
has gained ground with very large sec
tons of the population, and l declare,
in the name of the federated govern
ments, that they consider 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
sacrifice from the Reic1stag; but by it's
will also be tied. The idea of policy
OF adventure is far from the thoughts
Of the government as is any intention
ers. If we desire 10 secure a position
in the concert of the powers which we
must have, feet of modest dimens' ons,
will be adequate. | ask you to adopt
the bill for the welfare Of The father
land" (Cheers from the right)
Admiral Won Tirpitz, the secretary OF
the navy, addressed the .louse explain
ing in detail the necessity for introduce
ing the bill to strengthen the German
navy.
Admiral Won Tirpitz pointed out that
the proposed new ships would establish
a basis which, for long tine to come,
would meet the requirements CT the
country. By the adoption Of the bill
the secretary of the navy continued, the
next Reichstag would be Ieod.red from
retarding the rate of construction; but
he insisted no further restrictions
would be imposed upon parliament.
The secretary of the navy said that
in connection with the completion of
the Kaiser Wilhelm Canal (more gem
orally known as the N?rth SEA and Bal
tic Sea :canaD the actual calculations
were made in regard tC the necessary
strength of the tleaF in order TO render
offensive action, even upon the part OF
the strongest naval power impossible.
He added
In the demand for two squadrons
of eight ships each, we are supported
by the whole corps Of naval officers
L am prepared to give more detailed
explanations in committee regarding
the military points involved.
-"0ur active feet is a feet for de-
Tense. What we ask is the mi ,,mun
necessary to enable US TO throw a
heavy weight into the scales O.. the
side of peace. In 1904 our fleet will
no longer be 'quatite negligan,e.' and
Germany's maritime interests will have
been increased. To underestimate the
Importance of this would andanger
the interests of the empire generally"
In conclusion, Admiral Tirpitz de-
clared that the present system Of vot-
Ing naval supplies must be changed.
and he appealed to the Re'chstag 10
ifayorably consider the governments
measure. The admiral's remarks IRE
greeted with cheers from several fac
tions.
Herr Schoenlank. Social Democrat.
opposed the bill.
Herr Schoenlank said he thought il
curious that the flaws in the navy rad
only now been discovered Attempts
were being made, he claimed, to
brighten the people with phantoms :nd
excite them to craving for glory.
How, the speaker asked. could this
be reconciled with the public declara-
tons of the Emperor.
Referring to the occupation of Kiao-
Chou Bay by the German squadron
in Chinese waters, Herr Schoenlank
said that if Germany established her
self in China she would become in
volved in endless complications with
Great Britain and Japa4.. Germany,
he claimed, would never be a pavaI
power. The bill, he said, was the out
come Of personal rule.
Count LamDurgh Sti-uln, the Com
sentative leader, dispute. Herr
Schoenlanks contention.
we have no guarantee of pace" he
said. land must arm ourselves for the
eventuality of war. Why snoIl1 a
German charge d'affairs be obliged
to submit to be treated with shame
less arrogance by the blacks of Eiayti?
And how was it that the American
minister carried his point? Because
he had only to telegraph in order TO at
once obtain efficient support"
SOiHb oodiONSh LllllSlET lDT Tie
interior, was the next speaker. He
said the federal government had no
idea Of arresting social legislation.
Herr Schoenlank,' he continued,
had spoken of absolutist tendencies
in certain quarter: but. if Herr
Schoenlank' s views ever find favor with
a majority of the Reichstag there will
be no need of absolutism to destroy
parliamentiarism." Cheers and coun-
ter cheers.) ?
The minister for foreign affairs,
Baron Won Bulow, said:
Herr Schoenlank's fears that we
shall plunge into adventures are not
well grounded. The chancellor and
his collea CUES are men not to seek
uselss quarrels. We don't poke cur
fingers into every pie. but, neverthe-
less, Germany must not renounca her
claim to have a share OF the countries
having a rich future. In times past,
when Grmany resigned The sea to one
neighbor and the land to another, she |
kept herself only the heavens, where |
pure doctrine dwells
The object of the expedition to |
Kiao-Chou Bay is to obtain satisfac- |
ton and greater guarantees against |
the repetition of such occurrences We |
do not wish to intimidate or pro- |
woke China Notwithstanding the |
Gro NJ rr$fxa A<xvo drry~r