The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-27
MERELY A SHAM FIGHT
NO DETERMINED OPPOSITION TO
THE KAISER'S NAVAL BILL.
Debate in the Reichstag Only for the
Purpose of Giving Members an
Opportunity to Explain.
Copyright, 1898. by the Associated press)

Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.)
BERLIN, March 26.-The debate in the
Reichstag on the second reading of the
navy bill was only sham fight and its ac-
cept lance is a foregone conclusion. The
only reason for the long-drawn discussion
was to enable the members of the Reich
stag to explain their position to their con-
stituents. The discussion was chiefly in
terestng to outsiders from the fact that
it threw light on the ideas underlying the
scheme in the minds of the promoters of
the measure. Herr Bennigsen, the leader
of the National Liberals, was so impressed
with the Importance of the occasion that
he departed from his invariable practice
and spoke from the tribune instead of from
his seat. He confirmed the view expressed
in these dispatches several months ago,
that the increase in the strength of the
navy was partly based on the possibility of
war between Germany and Great Britain
and partly to enable Germany to maintain
neutrality in the event of war between
Great Britain and Russia. He said that
naval experts express the opinion that, af-
ter the realization of the present scheme,
battle in the North sea might be sue
cessfully risked against even the strongest
sea power Abiding to neutrality, Herr
Benngsen said that, in the event of an
Anglo-Russian conflict in the Baltic, Great
Britain might be tempted to force Germany
to take sides. Herr Bennigsen further re-
marked that the progress made by Ger
many had excited the envy of others, her
exports and imports having increased three
milliards of marks from 1880 to 1896, while
Great Britain's had increased only one mill
lard. This vast commerce, he continued
must be protected. He then referred to the
damage, amounting to &3,0O0,0 900 ($15, 1000, 000),
suffered by Hamburg through priVateering
during the FrancO-British wars
Herr Richter delivered a scathing crit
icism of the bill, which, he declared will
increase the imperial debt by 1870 900 900
marks during the next seven years Con-
tinuing, Herr Richter declared the estab-
lishment of the septennate principle was the
first step in the Introduction of abSolutism
in all military questions.
The Emperor and Empress attended the
funeral of the Duke Of Talleyrand-Saga
on Thursday. His Majesty's physicians
have advised him to take an early course
at Hamburg, and their Majesties, there
fore, will go there on Tuesday. On Friday
guests, left Bremerhaven on board the
Kaiser Wilhelm der Crosse for a cruise
He returned to-day.
The sixtieth anniversary of Prince Bis
marck's entrance into the army was cele-
brated with great enthusiasm in various
parts of the country. The Emperor sent his
aid-de-camp General Won Schweidnus, to
Friedrichsruhe to congratulate the prince
and he also telegraphed to the prince from
Bremerhaven. Prince Bismarck is in good
health although his foot still compels him
to use a wheel chair He presided at a din
ner party of his family and intimate friends
and countless kilograms poured in upon
him. The officers of the Second Foot Guards
of which regiment Prince Bismarck is a la
suite, sent him a present of silver statue
of a guardsman in the uniform of 1913. The
prince is highly amused at the almost daily
cable messages he receives from America,
most with prepayment for answer, request
ing his views on the loss of the Maine or on
the Cuban question. He says he pays no
heed to these requests.
The weakening of the marines by the dis
patch of large detachments to Kiaochau
will be rectif1ed on April 1, when necessary
additions will be made to that force. The
supplementary vote for Kiaochau includes
the cost of the smaller works but the mar
Dor works Of construction Will be under
taken by syndicate.
The latest absurdity is dueling chal-
lenge sent by Berlin student to DR.. Going,
president of the senate courts of justice and
head of the board of law examiners. DR..
Going disciplined the student and the latter
sent his brother an army officer, to DR..
Going with the demand for satisfaction with
pistols Dr. Going refused to meet I b STU STU
dent, but the matter will nave 10 De SUD
mitted to council OF honor
A curious departure has been inaugurated
by the University of Freiburg, in Breisgau'
to attract students. Hereafter all students
attending the lectures there will be insured
against accidents within the precincts of the
university, including gymnastics, ouenng OF
during excursions conducted py the pro-
feSSorS.
The United States ambassador, Andrew D.
White, gave his first diplomatic dinner to-
night.
The government will not admit American
fruit waste into the Rhine district, it is
said to be gravely injuring the Jelly indus-
try. The Cologne Gazette and other news
PAPERS severely blame the government for
exceeding the authority given 1t by the
Bundezrath in the fruit decree.
The birthday and twenty-fifth anniver-
sary celebrations of King Albert of Saxony
at Dresden, April q, will be attended by
Emperor Francis Joseph of Austria, most of
the princes and rulers OF Germany and
delegations from the Bundezrath and
been ' subscribed by the saxons for a monu-
ment to King Albert at DRESDEN
The Prussian minister of agriculture.
Baron Won Hammerstein-Lexten has issued
an official report on the San Jose scale, set
ting forth that recently numbers have been
found in all stages OF development on apples.
He adds that it must be presumed that
German orchards and nurseries are already
infected, and he calls for an immediate and
general investigation of the reports and the
results.
o.. .r.,n-ls.n.- n..o..s..o. March I0r O-nnr