The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1897-12-01
OPENING OF THE RElCHsTAG.
emperor william Addresses Assembly on
Proposed Increase of Navy.

Berlin, November 30.-The last session
Oh 1he present Reichstag was opened at
noon today by Emperor William id per-
son, for the first time since 1894. The
ceremony took place in the White hall Of
one royal castle. His Majesty read the
speech from the throne.
Ihe navy occupied the principal place
IN 5he Emperor's speech. He said:-"T The
development of the German navy does
not correspond with Germany's mission
at sea and in the event of warllke COM
pllcations 1t would not suffice to assure
the security Of the home ports and coasts
against blockade or more extensive
operations on the part of the enemy.
Neither has it kept pace with the rapid
growth of German trans-oceanic interests
while German trade is participating in
creaslngly in the worlds exchange of
merchandise, the number of our war ves-
sells does not suffice to afford our country
men abroad the measure of protection
corresponding with Germany's position,
or the support which can only be secured
by display of power.
Although 1t is not our object to vie
with the maritime powers OF the first rank,
Germany must nevertheless be placed in
a position to maintain, by means of pre-
pareqness at sea, her prestige among the
people OF the globe. To this end, the
strengthening OF our home feet of battle
ships and the increase In the number of
our vessels intended for foreign service in
| time of peace becomes necessary and in
order to gain firm ground for urgent
| measures which cannot any longer be
postponed the federal government con-
siders it expedient to determine by legis-
lative act the strength of the navy and
the period in which it is to be attained.
With this object in view bill will be
submitted to the Reichstag for constutu-
tional arriving at decision and, later,
with the view to the promotion of trans
oceanic interests, bill will also be intro
dueed for improving the mail steamship
communication with Eastern ASIA
Abiding to the project to reform in
the military penal procedure, his majesty
in his speech said: 1.-THE proposed reform
while following SO far as possible the lines
OF the civil penal code, meets the re-
quirements absolutely necessary for the
main tenance of discipline. The bill will
be submitted without delay
The Emperor's speech then proceeded to
touch upon the finances of the country,
Oi Wnlcn BuDJeCG MS majesty remarked
1.-The general condition of the finances Is
| satisfactory and considerable portion of
the anticipated surplus will be employed
as last year, in reducing the imperial
debt An economic committee consisting
of Representatives of industry, agriculture
and trade, has been appointed by means
of whose expert advice 1t is intended to
define the conditions and scope of the ex-
tensive ramification of home productions,
in order to obtain firm basis upon which
to shape future custoa tariffs and COM
mercial relations of foreign countries
. The developments of our protectorates
on the whole, are satisfactory The rinder-
pest in southwest Africa has necessitated
the construction Of railroads to facilitate
transportation. The results of the nego-
tiations with France for the delimitation
of the Tego- Dahomey boundaries tend to
benefit the economics interests of both
countries. -
Referring to the murder of the two Ger
man missionaries Niles and Hennel, in
China, Emperor William remarked: 1.-THE
murder of the missionaries in China and
the attacks upon mission stations which
have been placed under imperial protec-
tion. and their welfare, which l have at
heart, have compelled me to cause my
squadron in Eastern Asia to proceed to
klao Chou bay, the point nearest to the
scene of the outrage, and land troops in
order to obtain full reparation and securi
ty against recurrence of similar lament
able events
Touching the general political situation
his majesty said "Our political relations
with foreign states are in every way
gratifying, and valuable guarantees of
the maintenance of these relations have
again been afforded me by my meetings
with the allied and friendly monarchs. as
we'll as by the brilliant and cordial recep
tions accorded me in my visits to Peter
hof and Buda Pest
The speech from the throne concludes:
AL indications justify the expectation
that with Gods help we may in the
future as in the past, look forward to the
peaceful development of Europe and the
German fatherland.''
The United States ambassador Mr..
Andrew D. White and United States Con-
sui General Goldschmidt, attended the
opening sitting of the Reichstag. The
speech from the throne was unfavorably
criticized as a rule, by those who have
up to the present been able to weigh it.
MARBLEHEAD GOES TO HAYTI