The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-12-06
KATHRS' CRY FOR Ships
Fight for a Big German Navy
Renewed in the
Reiehstag.
[Ry Gable to The Associated Press ]

BERLIN, Dec. G. 1S97.-The Reichstag,
today, began the debate upon the first
reading of the Government Naval bill.
The Imperial Chancellor, Prince Hohen-
lohe, made a statement on the subject,
saying:-
I'VE absolutely require an efficient navy
to maintain the position created for us
by the army This conviction has gained
ground with very large sections of the
population, and declare, in the name Of
the federated governments, chat they con-
slider as an imperative necessity that the
navy should be strengthened, and that its
strength should be fixed by legislative en-
actment. The bill, it is true, demands a
certain sacrifice from the Reichstag, but
by it's adoption the hands of the govern
ment will also be tied. The idea CT the
policy of adventure is far from the
thoughts of the Government as is any IN
tention of rivalry with the great mari
time powers. If we desire to secure a
position in the concert Of the powers,
which we must have a fleet which,
though of modest dimensions, will be in
adequate ask you to- adopt the bill for
the welfaore of the Fatherland." (Cheers
from the Right.
Admiral Won Tirpitz the Secretary of
the Navy then addressed the House. ex-
planning in detail the necessity for intro
ducing the bill to strengthen the German
navy. Admiral Won Tirpitz pointed out
that the proposed new ships would estab-
,ish a basis which for long time to come
would meet the requirements OF the coun-
try
tary Of the Navy continued, the next
Reichstag would be debarred from re-
tardings the rate of construction; but. he
insisted, no further restrictions would be
imposed upon Parliament
The Secretary of the Navy then re-
marked that. In connection with the
nTa nepa1 Of the Rae Kaer fSa SoTth
Sea and Baltic Sea CanaD, tactical calcu-
lations were made in regard to the nee
essary strength of the feet in order to
render offensive action, even upon the
part of the strongest naval power impos-
sible He added:-'In the demand for
two squadrons of eight ships each, we are
supported by the whole corps of naval
officers, and am prepared to give more
detailed explanations, in committee, re-
garding the military points involved.
''Our active fleet is a fleet for defence.
What we ask is the minimum necessary,
by the adoption of the bill, to enable us
to throw a heavy weight into the scales
on the side of peace. In 1904 our fleet
will no longer be a quantite negligeable
"a factor, or quantity which may be ne
glectedD, and Germany's maritime inter-
ests will have been increased. To under
estimate them would endanger the inter
ests of the Empire generally
In conclusion, the Secretary of the
Navy declared thatsthe present system OF
voting naval supplies must be changed,
and he appealed to the Reichstag to fav-
orably consider the Governments meas
ure. The .AdmiraPs remarks were greet
ed with cheers from several factions.
Herr Schoenlank, Social Democrat, op-
posed the bin. He said he thought it
curious that the flaws in the Navy had
only now been discovered. Attempts were
being made, he claimed, to frighten the
people with phantoms and excite them
asked how could this be reconciled with
the pacific declarations of the Emperor?
Referring to the occupation of Kiao
Chou Bay by the German Squadron in
Chinese waters, Herr Schoenlank said
that if Germany established herself in
China she would become involved in end
less complications with Great Britain
and Japan. Germany, he claimed,
would never be a naval power and the bill
according to the speaker, was the out
| come of personal rule.
Count Limburg -Stirum, the Conserva-
tive leader, refuted Herr Schoenlank' S
contention.
When Emperor William received the
President of the Reichstag. Baron Won
Buol-Berenberg, and the Vice Presidents,
Herren Schmidt and SPAIN, yesterday,
His Majesty, in addition. to expressing a
desire that the Governments Naval bill
should form the subject of business-like
uGllDeTatlOnS, Claiming Indl party pOll-
tics ought not to play a part in debates
on such a question, referred to the mo-
mentous labors to be accomplished by the
Reichstag, and pointed out that on that
very day his only brother, Prince Henry
| of Prussia, had bid farewell to the
| Grand Duke of Baden and his mother,
| the ex-Empress Frederick in order to de-
| vote his energies to the service of the
| Fatherland in Asia.
| His Majesty emphasized his strong de-
| termination to extend the most powerful
| protection to the German missions in
| foreign countries, referred to the recent
| events in Hayti, and to various political
! and economic questions, adding that he
! trusted the Reichstag would become con-
WINGED of the necessity for the naval in
/ crease demanded.
| Replying to the suggestion that appre-
I tensions were entertained in Parliamen-
| tary circles about prejudicing the action
| of the new Parliament, by fixing the
| naval expenditure for number of years,
| Emperor William said the coming Reich
| stag would in no case disavow the pres
| ent one, if the latter was convinced that
| the proposed increase must be completed
in seven years.
Finally, His Majesty referred to the
| general position of the affairs of the
world, which. he said, admitted of no
delay in the matter. At the conclusion
of the audience, which lasted half an
hour, the President and Vice Presidents
| of the Reichstag, yesterday, were re-
| ceived by the Empress.
|