The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-13
Warm Debate in the Retchstag-
Speeches by Socialists.

BERLIN, Feb. 12-The Reichstag to-day
discussed the army estimates and Herr V.
Vollmer. the Socialist leader. took the oc-
casion to criticise miltarism in Germany
In so doing he advocated the better feeding
and housing of the soldiers and said that
social democracy has no need OF barrack-
room agitation. but in view of the possibii-
ty of war they should beware of treating
Socialist soldiers in different manner 10
others. The minister OF war, General Won
Gossler. replying. declared that the army
promoted the peaceful development OF the
country. He added that the social demo-
cratic propaganda in the army would be
punished and suppressed with the utmost
vigor and concluded by remarking: I'VE
say we are with God, for the King and
fatherland, and we will provide this re-
ligious education of our soldiers. The Social
Democrats say they are without Coo ana
against the King and fatheriand; ooSidi
democracy. however. has outlived itself
long time now. daughter from the 80
cialists and applause from the Right.
Herr Bebel declared that the Socialists
were now all doing duty as soldiers and
that If ever the call TO arms came not many
of them would fail TO res9ond. Referring
Bebel complained that the men could only
seek redress in the civil courts after they
left the army for acts OF bru6aiIty; ihe me
subject of dueling confiicted with the law,
as exceptions were permitted. General Won
GosSler. the minister for war, might say
what he liked, continued G.. Herr Bebel,
but humanity advancing and mon
archy was certainly not the highest point
of development. The Socialists cheered
Herr Bebels remarks, which made quite
a stir in the section of the right
General Won Gossler. the minister Tor
war replied that the Socialists were reVo-
lutionisJs and that Herr Bebels conduct
at Hamburg in calling captain am ass
only excited contempt. Then, dealing with
Herr BebelS other remarks, ne said that
statistics showed that deaths from sickness
in the army. due to maneuvers during not
weather. were steadily decreasing: Suicides
and cases of ill-treatment were also on the
decrease. he reported. If cases of ill-treat-
ment and duels still occurred they must De
regarded as being due TO human nature
Concerning tho matter OF rescript the min
lister for thought that honor and all
are best safeguarded in the hands of the
supreme war lord. Loud and continued
Conservative applause followed this state
ment.
Replying to questions concerning the case
of the lieutenant sentenced to imprison-
ment for killing a workman at karlsruhe
by running him through the oack WIN a
sword the mans only ofense being that
he accidentally struck the neu!enant
chair while entering cafe. for which he
apologiZed in vain, but was killed by the
angry officer. who imagined that his honor
had been tarnished by the alleged insult,
General Won Gossler said that the Offend
ing lieutenant Brusewitz. had been cash
Tered and imprisoned. The war minister
tional. but he claimed ii was not commit
ted with generalization. Lieutenant BruSe-
witz was drunk at the time but IL must be
admitted by all, said General Won Gossler,
that there were extenuating circumstances,
owing to the insoience of the victim.
Herr Werner next spoke against the
adoption of the system OF the early pen
sioning of officers. The Reichstag then ad-