The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-05

REBUFFS FOR WILHELM
HIS REICHsTAG SPEECH AND MEAS
URES SEVERELY CRITICISED.
No Hope of Passing the Government
Bills In Their Present Form
Threats Against Haiti.
fcoprricht. 1aa7. hr .he Aasociated Press.l


BERLIN, Dec. 4.-Politically this has
been a very lively week in Germany the
opening of the Reichstag being the first
feature of Importance, with the Chinese
question good second. When he made his
speech from the throne in the White Hall
of the castle on Tuesday Emperor William
had everything arranged to render the
scene impressive. On the landing of the
stairs hung a colossal painting showing the
Emperor taking the oath on the colors in
the presence of the same Reichstag. but the
effect was wholly inadequate. The majority
of the delegates leaving the castle open
ly and vigorously criticised the speech. The
Cologne Volks Zeitung, commenting on the
whole scene, says: There is a chaSm be-
tween the Emperor and the nations repre-
sentatives." Continuing, the Volks Zeitung
reminds his Majesty that since his acces-
sion the empires debt has been increased
by 1,5e0, 600 marks. almost exclusively for
military and naval purposes. Where does
this lead to?" the paper asks.
AS matter of fact, this Reichstag will
stand or fall with the two important bills
introduced by the government on the open
ing day-the naval bill and the bill for the
reform of military trials, and neither will
pass in the present shape. Talks which the
correspondent has had with the leaders of
a majority of the parties make it evident
that the opposition to the governments bills
will not be overcome. The Center party OBJ
jects to the naval bill, chiefly on account
of the septennate feature, which would cur
tail the Reichstag's constitutional prerog-
atives and bind the successors of the pres
ent Reichstag during their whole legislative
period of five years and longer. The So
cialists and all the Radical factions, how
ever, object to the bill principally on ac-
count of the enormous expense. The Tage-
blatt says: ''How shall we characterize the
conduct of the government which dares to
put such bill before the peoples repre-
sentatives?' The Boersen Courier and
other moderate papers also condemn the
measure and predict it's failure. Some of
the papers, however, especially the Conserv-
alive organs, uphold the naval bill.
One of the governments arguments in the
memorial accompanying the bill is emgra-
ton. Reviewing the past flow to the United
States, it expresses the hope that, with a
larger navy and a consequently larger sea
trade this migration may be more largely
diverted to the German colonies.
The first reading of the naval bill will
take place on Monday, but unless the gov
eminent is able to accelerate the proceed
ings vote cannot be taken until March 10.
The Emperor will witness the departure
of his brother, Prince Henry of Prussia,
from Kiel for China 1t is believed in gov
eminent apd in parliamentary circles that
the trouble with China will not be adjusted
for long time. The four vessels which are
going out under Prince Henry's command
have been fitted out for eighteen months
service The reinforcements which will soon
,-;e Of fo,1
companies Of marines, consisting Of twenty
three officers and 200 men, a company of
naval artillery numbering two hundred men
and several pieces of field artillery and
number of machine. guns.
The semi-official post to-day says:
SHOULD Hayti refuse the German demands
for an indemnity on account of the alleged
illegal arrest and imprisonment of Herr
.Lueders, a German subject, at Port-au-
Prince, Sharp measures will follow. We
shall first lombard the coast forts, and IL
they are persistent we shall lombard the
city and the government buildings"
The downfall of Count Badeni, the late
Austrian premier, was received with re-
joicing in Germany. The Austrians of Ber-
lin illuminated their houses in honor of the
event and the entire press expresses salts
faction. Even the government newspapers
which have hitherto been very cautious, ex-
press pleasure at the counts retirement
from power. Prince BiSmarckS Hamburg
er Nachrichten voices the same sentiment.
The Centre party has reintroduced the bill
providing for the readmission of JesuIts
into Germany
The budget contains an item fixing the
salary of the imperial chancellor ut 100000
marks, instead of $4,000 marks. 1t is said
the increase is in accordance with prom
Use the Emperor made Prince Honenlohe
his present salary being inadequate in view
of the lavish entertainments expected of his
Office. The item will be the subject of lively
attacks upon the part Of the Socialists and
Radicals.
The city of Berlin is to float loan of
6S,8O0,0W marks for permanent municipal i'm
provements, of which sum 26000,00 marks
is for extending the sewerage system.
An interesting case has just been decided
by the Saxon government A Saxon born
lady, wife of an American professor, otter
obtaining a divorce returned home to her
family in SaxOny and wished to resume her
rights as Saxon subject to which the
American law offers no obstacle, hut the
axonsgoVernment decided against her. She
has appealed to the American embassy.
An American club is being formed, under
auspices of the United States ambassador
and consul general. A membership of three
hundred is guaranteed.
Mrs. White has recovered from her illness
and has returned from Paris. She and her
husband now occupy their new residence
on Lenni strasse.
The Berlin police this week intended to
expel Miss Herr, a native American, and a
daughter of Dr. Cornelius Herr, of Panama
fame, who is here in straitened circum-
stances, and has been earning her living as
a teacher of English and French At the
intercession OF the United States embassy
a passport being granted her, she was per-
mitted to stay.