The age-herald., 1898-03-27
GERMANY WILL
 INCREASE HER NAVY
Based on Possibility ofWar With
 Great Britain.
BISMARCK IN GOOD HEALTH
A Report Current That Differences Between America and Spain Will Be Submitted to Mediation of foreign Powers
 Dscredited By Officials.

Berlin, March 26.-The debate in the reichstag on the second reading of the navy bill was only sham fight and its acceptance is a foregone conclusion. The only reason for the long drawn out discus sion was to enable the members of the reichstag to explain their position to their constituents, The discussion was chiefly interesting to outsiders from the fact that 1t threw light upon the ideas underlying the scheme In the minds of the promoters of the measure. Herr Benningsen, the leader of the liberals, was so impressed with the importance of the occasion that he departed from his invarlable practice anu spoke from the tribune instead of from his seat. His speech confirmed the view expressed in these despatches several months ego that tn increase in the strength of the navy was partly based on the pos sibility 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 as the realization of the present scheme a battle in the north sea migH be successfully risked against even the strongest sea power Alluding to neutrality, Herr Benningsen said that in the event of an Anglo-Russian conflict in the Baltic, Great Britain might be tempted to force Germany to take sides
 Excited the Envy of Others
 Herr Bennington further remarked that the progress made by Germany had ex- cited the envy of others, her exports and imports having increased 100000 marks frorY tp rxyhii iia Creo prif in hod increased only 1,0Oo0 0O0 This vast commerce. he continued, must be protected.
 Herr Richter delivered a scathing criti- cism of the bill, which, he declared will increase the imperial debt 190,0O0,00) marks during the next seven years.
 Continuing, Herr Richter declared the establishment of the septennate principle was the first step in the introduction of absoluteism In all military questions.
 The sixtieth anniversary of Prince Bis marcks entrance into the army was cele- brated with great enthusiasm in various parts of the country.
 Prince Bismarck is in good health, al- though his foot still compets him to use a wheel chair He presided at a dinner party Of his family and intimate friends and countless teiegrams poured in upon him. The officers of the second foot guards, of which regiment Prince Bismarck is la suite, sent him present of silver statueitte of guardsman in the uniform of 1913.
 The prince is highly amused at the almost daily cable messages he receives from Aemadca, mostly with prepayment for an- swer, asking his views on the loss of tha Maine on the Cuban question. He says he pays no heed to these requests.
 The weakening of the marine by the des- patch of large attachments to Kiao Chau will be rectified April 1 when necessary additions will be made.
 A supplementary vote for Kiao Chau in cludss the cost of smaller works, but the harbor works ofc obstruction will be under taken by syndicate.
 The American ambassador, Andrew D. White, gave his first diplomatic dinner to- night
 To Mediation of Powers
 There is a report current here that the differences between the United States and Spain are to be submitted to mediation of the powers, but it is dscredited at the foreign office and at the United States em- bassy. MT. White says: "Very earnest assurances have been given me, in the highest quarters, that the emperor did not make the remarks attributed to him relative to showing friendship for Spain in case of conflict with America, nor any, thitng similar to that. As a matter of fact he does not hold the sentiments att tributed to him on that subject"
 The government twill not admit American fruit waste into the Rhine district as it is said to be gravely injuring the jelly in dustry
 The Cologne Gazette and other newspa- pers severely blame the government for exceeding the authority givn 1t by the