The San Francisco call., 1898-01-09
Prospects of a Split Which Will Insure the Emperor His
 Big Navy
DIPLOMATS EXPECT STRIFE
Predict a Conflict Between France and England in the Race to
 KhartOunn.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

BERLIN, Jan. S.-The Reichstag will reassemble on Tuesday and the budget committee will forthwith begin its de- Alterations. The chances of the naval bill are materially improved. The Con- serYatives, with the exception of the Agrarian wing, the National Liberals and a fraction of the Radicals, now generally favor the measure, while a split among the Centrists is now in process of formation. The Prussian members, under the leadership of Herr Leiber, are inclined to vote for the bill, with certain amendments. On the other hand, the South Germans, espec- ially the Bavarians, are unalterably op- posed to it.
 If the split Is effected, Emperor Will liam will have his big navy, and the Centrists, the more powerful opposition to the Government, and against whose wishes no measure could hitherto be passed in the Reichstag, will cease to be unit, and a new party grouping is necessitated which will materially af- feet the quinquennial elections in the spring. for the new attitude of the Center will influence the higher Catho- lie clergy, especially Archbishop Stablewski and Prince Bishop Kopp. Yielding to the wishes of the Vatican, they are largely responsible for the series of important demonstrations pre- pairing in favor of the naval increase. The first will take place in Berlin on January 13, when 250 heads of leading German industrial and manufacturing establishments and banks will convene.
 If the Emperor and the Government are willing to accept certain amend ments, notably in regard to the septen- nate feature, the measure can be pass ed by the present Reichstag, though there will probably be a very close vote
 From a gentleman of the immediate entourage of the Emperor a corre- spondent learns that both Emperor William and Prince Henrys sensa- tional speeches at Kiel were wholly extemporaneous. Prince Henry was taken wholly by surprise, and, being quite unused to public speaking, deliv- cred his remarks in a manner which he would not himself have approved if they had been submitted to him prev iously in writ lg. No control, how ever, being possible, owing to the cir cumstances, the speech went forth to the world, to his and to his majesty's chagrin.
 In this connection the same author ity contradicts the often published statement that every word the En- peror utters in public is carefully writ ten and approved. On the contrary, it appears, his majesty seldom prepares his remarks, and they are mostly im- promptu and delivered on the inspira- ton of the moment. This is true in ] oy-d 4n oil and officially quoted speeches. The following has been culled from books in the court marshals office: The Emperor in 1897 visited ninety places, travelling about 34, 700 kilome- ters. He went eight times to Kiel. showing his anxiety regarding naval matters, besides going to the harbors of Stettin, Dantzic, Bremen, Hamburg, Altona, Elbing. Cuxhaven, Heligoland and Brunsbuettel. His Majesty spent fifty-seven days in hunting, killing 8354 large and small head of game He spent nine days in his trip to St Pe- tersburg, ten in his trip to Hungary and twenty-six on his northern trip. Tn addition to visiting the flood districts of Silesia, his Majesty attended five un- veilings, six dedications of churches 1 and seven other public ceremonies out side of Berlin.
 The diplomats of Berlin expect seri- 
 Britain as the outcome of the race to Khartoum. They say that if France arrives there first there is bound to be war, as Great Britain could not sub init to it, as Lower Egypt is valueless without this key of inner Africa.
 It is learned from a member of the ex-Chancellor's household that Prince Bismarck was much shocked and an- noyed by the recent reports of his 1 death. Hitherto the Prince has smiled | at such canards and has made sar- castle comments. But when his son. Count William Bismarck, told him last Saturday of the reports then cur rent, saying, Father, they have again reported you dead in Berlin" the aged statesman's face clouded and he did not reply.
 At the Conservative National election at Dresden on February 2 the plan for the spring elections will be decided | upon.
 The Kreuz Zeitung, reproducing al- legged abusive articles from the Ameri- l can papers, remarks: Tt is not wise to | handle these overbearing Yankees too | softly" Continuing the paper calls on ! the Government to fight the United l States tariff tooth for tooth" and to prohibit the importation of American
 meats and cereals.
 The United States Ambassador, An
 drew D. White, will give receptions to
 the court and high officials on January
 10 and Il. About 1700 guests are ex-
 pected. The court has specially or dered that all the gentlemen and ladies | presented at court attend the first re- l ception of the United States Embassa- l dor. The diplomatic reception will be | largely attended. Princess Frederick | Leopold of Prussia received Mrs White l in audience to-day.
 1 The University of Munich has con- ferred the degree of Ph.D. upon the
 Princess Theresa, daughter of Prince
 .uitpold, the regent of Bavaria She
 the first lady upon whom this de
 rec has been conferred The Princess
 the author of a scientific book of travel in Brazil
 The incendiary fires have been re- ] sumed in the Moabit quarter of Berlin.