The record-union., 1897-12-07
!mreriaI Chancellor HohenIohe's Statement
Before the Reichstag.
The Government Has No Intention
of Rivalry With the Great Mar
itime Powers, but to Secure a
Position in the Concert Must
Have a Fleet of Modest Dimen-
sions.

/ saying.
I'VE absolutely require ar efficient
navy to maintain the position created
| for us by the army This conviction
| has gained ground with very large sec
tions of the population, and l declare, in
! the name of the federated Governments
| that they consider as an imperative ne
cessity that the navy should be
strengthened, and that its strength
| should be fixed by legislative enact
ment. The bill, it is true, demands a
| certain sacrifice from the Reichstag,
| but by its adoption the hands of the
Government will also be tied. The adop-
ton of policy of adventure is as far
I from the thoughts of the Government
as is any intention of rivalry with the
great maritime Powers. If we desire to
| secure a position in the concert OF the
Powers, which we must have, fleet of
modest dimensions will be adequate.
ask you to adopt the bill for the welfare
/ of the Fatherland."
Admiral Won Tirpitz. Secretary of the
| Navy, then addressed the House, ex-
planning in detail the necessity for in
| Producing the bill to strengthen the Ger
man navy. He pointed out that the
proposed new ships would establish a
basis which, for a 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 retarding the rate of construction,
but he insisted that no further restric-
tions would be imposed upon Parlla-
| ment
The Secretary of the Navy said that in
connection with the completion of the
Kaiser Wilhelm canal, tacital calcula-
tions We're made in regard to the neces-
sary strength of the fleet in order to
render offensive action, even on the part
of the strongest naval Power impossi-
BILE
He added; "In the demand for two
squadrons of eight ships each, we are
supported by the whole corps of naval
officers. | am prepared to give more de-
tailed explanations. in committee, re-
garding the military points involved.
Our active fleet is a fleet for defense.
What we ask is the minimum necessary
| 10 enable us to throw heavy weight
into the scales on the side of peace. In
1904 our fleet will no longer be guam
lite negligible, and German maritime
interests will have been increased. 10
underestimate the Importance of TINS
would endanger the interests OF the EN-
plre generally.
| In conclusion, Admiral Ilrpltz de-
clared that the present system OF VotlhS
naval supplies must be changed, ana ne
appealed to the Reichstag to favofabiy
consider the Governments measure.
The Admirals remarks were greeted
| with cheers from several factions.
Herr Schoenlank, Social Democrat
opposed the bill He thought it curious
that the flaws in the navy had only now
| been discovered. Attempts were pelhS
made. he claimed, to frighten the people
with phantoms and excite them to a
craving for glory. How, the speaker
asked. could this be reconclled with the
nacific declarations Of the Emperor!
Referring to the occupation Of klac
Cbau Ray by the German squadron IN
Chinese waters. he said that If Ger
many established herself in China
she would become involved in endless
complications with Great Britain and
Janaa Germany, he declares, would
never be a naval power. The bill, he
said. was the outcome of personal rule
Count Limburg- Stirrum the Conserv-
ative leader, disputed Herr Schoen-
1ank's contention I'VE have no guar
antee of peace" he said, ''and must
arm ourselves for the eventuality OF
war Why should German Charge
d'ATaires be obliged to submit to be
treated with shameless arrogance by
the blacks of Hayti? And how was ii
that the Minister carried his point!
Because he had only TO telegraph in
order to at once obtain efficient sup
port
Count Posadowski, Minister for the
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 a certain
quarter. but if Herr Schoenlank's views
ever ind favor with a majority of the
Reichstag there viii be no need of alb
solutsm to destroy parliamentism
| (Checrs and counter cheers.)
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bar
on Won Bulow. said; Herr Schoen-
lank'y fears that we shall plunge into
adventures are not well grounded The
Chancellor and his colleagues are not
men to seek useless quarrels. We do
nevertheless, Germany must not re-
nounce her claim to have a share of
the countries having rich future. In
times past, when Germany resigned the
land To one neighbor and the sea to
another, she kept for herself only the
| heavens. where pure doctrine dwells.
THE object Of the expedition to Kiao
Chau Bay is TO obtain satisfaction and
greater guarantees against the repeti-
ton of such occurrences. We do not
wish TO intimidate or provoke China.
| Notwithstanding the gave injustice
done. Me desire a continuance of her
| friendship In addition to the murder
of the two German missionaries, whom
we cannot allow to be regarded as out
| laws. we have had number of other
| serious grounds for complaint. We
! cannot allow the view to become es-
tablished in China that Germans can
be treated in a manner which other
nations do not permit. German mis-
! sionarias. contractors, goods and yes
seIs. must be respected exactly as those
of other countries. We are quite ready
| 10 consider the Asiatie interests of the
other powers, feeling sure due regard
viii be paid TO ours. We wish to push
no one into the shade, but we demand
our share OF the SUM- Through the
| traditions of German policy We will,