Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-07
RE|CHSTAC OPENED,
Brilliant Scere in the White Hall
Of German Royal Castle
KAISER DECLARES EOR PEACE,
He Halls With Warm Approval the Cars
Proposal 10 That End.
OUR WAR WITH THE SPANISH.
"Germany's Neutrality COnscienti-
ousIy and Loyalty Observed To-
wards Both Belligerents"-heia-
tions With China

BERLIN, December 6.-Emperor VIII
liam opened the Reichstag i'm the White
Hall of the Royal Castle here to-day
in the presence Of the members Of the
Bundesrath and the generals and other
military officers, who were grouped around
the throne, in front Of which the Reich
stag deputies assembled The Empress
sat in the grand balcony and the members
of the diplomatic corps occupied the ad-
joining gallery.
The Emperor after announcing the in
PRODUCTION of a series Of social and labor
bills, and the completion Of the organiza-
ton of the army, said that Germany's
relations with all foreign Powers contin-
ued to be friendly, and that the principal
object Of his policy would be to contribute
to the maintenance Of peace. Therefore,
his Majesty hailed with warm approval
the Cars magnanimous proposal for the
furtherance of that object.
ASSASSINATION OF EMPRESS ELIZA
BETH.
Continuing, the Emperor referred to the
assassination of the Empress of Austria
as a savage and ruthless act, which had
caused him deep pain, and which had
evoked the most sincere sympathy
throughout Germany.
Abiding TO the Anti-Anarchist confer
ence, the Emperor said the readiness with
which the invitation had been accepted
by the Powers justified the hope that its
deliberations would have practical re-
suits.
Abiding to the war between Spain and
the United States. his Majesty said Ger
manys neutrality was conscientiously
and Loyalty observed towards both bel
ligerents.
KIAO-CHOU.
Then, taking up colonial affairs, En-
peror William pointed out the measures
taken for the economic development of
Kiao-Chou, declaring that while conscien-
tiousy respecting the well-acquired rights
of third parties the German Government
would direct its efforts to the further
promotion Of its economic relations with
China, which are yearly growing more
important.
The Emperor concluded with a reference
10 his visit TO Palestine, saying he hoped
the brilliant reception accorded him by
the Sultan and the Turkish people every
where would prove TO be of permanent
benefit to German prestige and the ma
tlonal interests of Germany
HIS MAJESTY APPLAUDED.
His Majestys speech was repeatedly
cheered.
Count Won Lorchenfeld. the Bavarian
Plenipotentiary. called for three cheers
for the Emperor, after which Emperor
William ana his sons left the hall and
the deputies proceeded to the Reichstag,
where Herr I.ingens took the chair as
senior member.
After the usual formallties of the OPEN
ing the Reichstag adjourned until We'd
nesday.
IMPERIAL BUDGET
In the Reichstag the Imperial budget
was formally submitted, with the esti-
mated revenue. expenditure, and balance
for 1s9S-'99
The estimated revenue is 1854 $50 go
marks G376 973. $50. OF the ordinary expen-
diture. 79.Sg}.6SS marks will be devoted 10
the army. 80. tSl 800 marks to the navy.
and $4,000 marks 10 salaries, harbOr
works. and armaments. and to defences
al Kiao Chou, in the Province Of Shan
Tung. CHINA.
OF the extraordinary expenditure 1885,
$50 marks will be devoted TO the army.
and 80 S79. 600 marks 10 the navy.
The increased expenditure on she army
will necessitate a loan of SO, lS9 marks.
INCREASE OF ARMY.
A bill increasing the peace effective Of
the army was also submitted. 1t provides
for a gradual increase from October /.
1897. until the year 1902 when the peace
effective will reach a total Of J02506, rank
and file. This will comprise G35 battalions
Of infantry. $50 sQuadrons Of cavalry, 80
field batteries, II battallons for the main
tenance Of Communication, and % trans
port battaions.