The record-union., 1898-03-27

BERLIN, March &c copyrighted,
1898, by the Associated Press The
debate in the Reichsrath on the second
reading of the naval bill was only a
sham fight, and it's acceptance is a
foregone conclusion. The only reason
for the long Drawn out discussion was
to enable the members of the Reichstag
to explain their position to their con-
stituents. The discussion was chiefly
interesting to the outsiders, from the
fact that it threw light upon the ideas
underlying the scheme in the minds
of the promoters of the measure.
Herr Benningsen, the leader of the
National Liberals, was so impressed
with the Importance of the occasion
practice, and spoke from the tribune,
instead Of from his seat He con-
frmed the views expressed in these
dispatches several months ago, that
the increase in the strength of the
navy was partly based on the posi-
bility 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 ex
!
the realization of the present scheme
a battle in the North Sea might be sue
cessfully risked against even the
strongest sea Power.
Abiding to neutrality, Herr Benning-
sen said that in the event of Anglo
Russian conflict in the Baltic, Great
Britain might be tempted to force Ger
many to take sides. Herr Benningsen
f11,e k,or hot 4IDn ac.c<
made by Germany had excited the en-
IVY 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 contin-
ued, must be protected He then re-
ferred to the damage, amounting to
$15,000,OO0, suffered by Hamburg
through privateering during the Fran
co-British war.
Herr Richter delivered a scathing
criticism of the bill. which he declared
will increase the imperial debt by co.
100000 marks during the next seven
years. Continuing, Herr Richter de-
clared that the establishment of the
septennate principle was the first step
in the introduction of absolutism in
ali MILITARY QuGSllOuS.
EMPEROR AND EMPRESS
The Emperor and Empress attended
the funeral Of the Duke of Talleyrand
Saganon on Thursday. His majesty's
physicians have advised him to take
an early course at Hamburg, and their
majesties, therefore, will go there on
Tuesday.
PRINCE BISMARCK.
! The sixtieth anniversary of Prince
lBismarck's entrance into the army was
celebrated with great enthusiasm in
various parts of the country Prince
Bismarck is in good health, although
his foot still compels him to use his
wheel chair. The Prince is highly
amused at the almost daily cable mes
sages he receives from America. most
1y with prepayment for answer, re-
questing 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 dispatch of large detachments to
lKiaochau will be rectified on April
1st, when necessary additions will be
made to the force.
THE EMPEROR MISQUOTED.
Mr.. White, United States Embassa-
dor, says: VERY earnest assurances
have been given in the highest quar-
tiers that the Emperor did not make
the remarks attributed to him relative
to showing friendship for Spain in case
of a conflict with America, nor any
thing similar to that AS a matter
of fact, he does not hold the sentiments
attributed to him on that subject"
THE FRUIT DEGREES.
| The Government will not admit
American fruit waste into the Rhine
district, as it is said to be gravely in
juring the jelly industry
The Cologne Gazette and other
newspapers severely blame the Govern
ment for exceeding the authority given
it by the Bundesrath in the fruit de-
cree.
The Prussian Minister of Agriculture
Baron Won Hammerstein Lexten has
issued an official report on the San
Jose scale, setting 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 in
fected, and he calls for immediate and
general investigation of the reports and