The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-11-12


- car ITO Emperor William at
Potsdam were two events which brought
joy to the hearts of the Germans, for they
were both construed as favorable to the
empire and government, and the press did
everything ito assure the car hearty wei
come. The correspondent of the Associated
Press learns from eye-wttnesses that the
emperor and empress accorded most cor
dial welcome to their guests. which was
fully reciprocalted The press dwelt espe-
cially ON THE fact that the czar and EN-
reror William were always exerting them
selves for peace, and that the presence of
The czar at Potsdam on the eve off EN-
peror Williams departure for England, at
a moment when Germany had entered 'into
a friendly understanding with Great Brit
ain regarding a colonial policy, was tanta-
mount TO an additional guarantee of peace.
INDUCED In Wild Guesses
After the czrs departure the press in
dulged in the widest guesses as TO what
the monardns might have agreed upon, es-
pecally during the ten minutes quiet talk
while alone in the masuloeum of the En-
peror Frederick, when the doors were
closed and all others were excluded. The
solemn stiffness Was only lighted by the
tall altar tapers in the neighboring chapel.
Some papers went ito Jne length OF repoIhing
,lie exact words of the monarohs during
these ten minutes. The correspondent of
the Associated Press learns from an excel
lent source THAT after silent prayer at
tile tomo of Emperor Frederick they as
silently shook hands and left the mauso-
leum.
All dinner, where Count Muravieff, Count
Won Buelow and Prince Hohenlohe We're also
cal situation occurred, but informally
There was no compact whatever made. 1t
should be remembered that the emperor
has dfstrusted France since M. Bourgeois
in 1896. seized the opportunity. when Great
Britain was wroth at the Kruger telegram,
to further Frances interest in the direction
of the Idea of a ''revanche.' While mo
specified agreement was entered into,
Identity of opinion was found to exist re-
Sarding THE present and future policy in
China, South Africa the Balkans Greece
ana elsewhere. The correspondent also
learns that the czar and Emperor William
informally conversed during the course of
the day on a number of matters likely ITO
occupy Germany and Russia in the near
future, including the renewal of the COM
mercia1 treaty.
The monarchs separated, sure of each
others pacific and friendly Intentions On
the whole, the correspondent is informed on
for good. He left with the conviction that
Germany and Russia may remain good
friends even If Germany is improving her
relations with Great Britain. One subject
OF the conversation of the monarchs and
statesmen accompanying them, the corre-
spondent Is creditably informed was the
phenomenal progress of the United States
as weltmacht (potent factor), everywhere
on the globe. This subject Is said to have
caused lively discussion, as the ideas on
the subject by no means tailed.
Czar I'm Fair Health
From personal observation, the correspon-
dent is able to say the czar presents the
appearance of a man in fair health. His
motions and speech are rapid and unaf-
fected.
All the papers except. few of the Pan
German variety express confidence that
the United States, as the owner of Tutila
will prove peaceful and accommodating
neighbor in the Samoan waters.
The reichstag will meet November IA and
1t Is probable that the session will be most
lively There are three very important
measures about which great diversity of
opinion exists. They are the anti-strike
bill, the naval bill and the renewal of the
commercial treaties. Then the first is not
likely to pass unless the government ac-
cepts radical changes. The naval bill is
more likely to succeed. Regarding the
treaties, everybody, including the govern
ment, Is at sea, the preparatory work being
still behind hand Besides these, of especial
interest to America is the meat inspection
bill which will come up for its second read
ing at an early day. The shape in which
! 1t was left by the committee is not accepta-
BILE to both governments. The correspon-
dent of the Associated Press learns from
a reliable authority here that IL the bill as
expected passes with the clause amounting
to a prohibition of the importation of sau-
sage and canned meats, the United States
will not be satisfied and will Immediately
retaliate with prohibitory measures on Ger
man wines. The result will be a regular
tariff war.
Soon after the reichstag meets an inter-
relation on the foreign policy of the gov
ernment will be discussed.
The naval plans Incorporated in the naval
bill preserve to the reichstag the right of
annually granting the precise sums needed.
Since the emperor's Hamburg speech all
leading ship yards and iron works have
had a big rise in the price of their stocks,
some of them increasing 80 or 40 per cent.
Naval Progress
The Vorwaert's claims that the creation
of huge naval port-of-war at Dantzic Is
contemplated and that a new torpedo sta
ton near Plenendorf has been planned.
The same paper says that as long ago as
1891 the emperor while at the Kiel naval
academy formed the plan of making the
German navy adequately offensive. The
government press daily eulogizes the naval
programme. The feeling on the subject
was voiced by General Posen who proposed
as the motto for the colonial society, "a
fbrst-class empire and a first-alass navy"
The canal bill has been RECONSTRUCTED for
another introduction in the diet. 1t now
involves total expenditure of 4OO,O00,000
marks instead of 26O,0OO,Oo0, as heretofore.