Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-01
ABOUT GERMANY'S navy.
William Says 1t Does Not Correspond
With the Nations Mission.
Speech from the Throne--The Sss-
sion Of the Reichstag Opened by
the Kaiser-He Declared That
the Navy is Not Strong Enough
to Assure the Security Of Home
POrlS and Coasts.

TO Assure the Security OF nome
Porls and Coasts.
Berlin, November 30.-The last ses-
sion Of the recent Reichstag was open
ed in the White Hall of the Royal Cas-
tie at noon to-day.
Emperor William opened the session
in person, for the first time since 1894.
His Majesty read the speech from the
throne. The navy occupied the prin-
cipal place in the speech. The passage
on this subject was as follows:
''The development Of the German
navy does not correspond with Ger
many's mission and in the event Of war
like complications it would not suffice
to assure the security Of the home ports
and coasts against a blockade or more
extensive operations upon the part OF
the enemy. Neither has it kept pace
with the rapid growth Of German trans
oceanic interests. While German trade
is participating increasingly in the
worlds exchange of merchandise, tie
number of our war vessels does not
suffice to afford our countrymen abroad
the measure of protection corresponding
with Germany's position nor the sup
port which can only be secured by a
display of power. Although it is not
our object to vie with the maritime
- Erct o,,ly 1ct
nevertheless be placed in a position to
maintain, by means of preparedness at
sea, her prestige among the people of
the globe"
Abiding to the projected reform in
the military penal procedure, His Maj
esty said: "The proposed reform,
while following so far as possible the
lines of the civil penal code, meets the
requirements absolutely necessary for
the maintenance of discipline. The bill
will be submitted without delay"
The Emperor's speech then touched
upon the finances of the country, on
which subject His Majesty remarked:
"The general condition of the finances
is satisfactory, and a considerable por-
ton of the anticipated surplus will be
employed, as last year, in reducing the
imperial debt. An economic commit
tee, consisting of representatives of in
dustry, agriculture and trade, has been
appointed, by means of whose expert
advice it is intended to define the con-
dtions and scope of the extensive ram
ifications, of home productions in Or
der to obtain a firm basis upon which
to shape future customs tariffs and
commercial relations with foreign coun-
tries"
Referring to the naval demonstration
in Kiao-Chou Bay, China, Emperor
William said: "The murder of the
missionaries in China, and the attacks
upon mission stations which have been
placed under my imperial protection,
and their welfare, which l have at
heart, have compelled me to cause my
squadron in Eastern Asia to proceed to
Kiao-Chou Bay, the point nearest to the
scene of the outrage, and land troops
in order to obtain full reparation and
security against recurrence of similar
lamentable events"
Touching upon the general political
situation, His Majesty said: "Our po-
litical relations with foreign States are
in every way gratifying and valuable
guarantees of the maintenance OF these
relations have again been afforded me
by meetings with the allied and friend
ly monarchs, as we'll as by the brilliant
and cordial receptions accorded me in
my visits to Peterhof and BUDAPEST"
The speech concludes: "All indica-
tons justify the expectation that with
Gods help we may in the future, as
in the past, look forward to the peace
full development Of Europe and the Ger
man Fatherland."