The record-union., 1899-07-02
And the Final Outcome Is More Doubtful
Than Ever.
Opponents Of the Bill Seeking to
Kill It In Every Way-The Pres
emit Crisis il Certainly q Turn
Ing Point In Prussian Po1itics-
Fight Of Agrarians and Pro-
gressives Must Continue Till
One or the Other Wins.

Copyrighted 1899, by Associated Press
BERLIN, July 1.-The canal question
overshadowed everything this week,
and the final outcome is more doubtful
than ever. The air is full of rumorS
of compromises, combinations, dissolu,
ton and reconstruction Of the Ministry.
The opponents of the bill continue the
policy of seeking to kiln it by bringing
forward as many rival projects for COM
pensation as possible, these numbering
about $50. None of them has been in
good faith, but for the sole purpose OF
gaining time to eventually checkmate
the supporters of the canal.
The Munich "Allegemein Zeitung" be-
iieves the Emperor is contemplating
replacing the present Cabinet officers
with a Liberal Ministry. This is re-
ceived With skepticism, even the Lib
eral leaders recognizing the impossible
1ty OF SO doing in the present state of
politics, assuming that only Conserva-
tive Ministry can follow the present
one.
The "F'rankfurter Zeitung'' discusses
the men likely to play leading roles.
and says Baron Won Koeller, the Cow
ernor of Schleswig- Holstein, is still in
great favor with the Emperor. But as
a great friend of the agrarians he
would be the last to act against them
Count Eulenburg is also mentioned
He has long been regarded as man
with a large political future, but as
he is also a strong agrarian he is an
other impossibility
The discussion of possible Ministers
seems premature in a country where
Ministers are SO little responsible to
the Legislature as in Germany.
The Diet takes a recess next week
until August, when it will reassemble
and resume the discussion of the canal
bill August 10Th, when the fate of the
Ministry will be settled In the mean
While the correspondent of the Asso-
ciated Press learns from an excellent
source that attempts will be made by
the Centrists and Liberals to reach a
compromise on the canal and reforma-
ton of municipal election questions. so
that they may present a united front.
Whatever the result of the present
crisis, it is certain it marks a turning
point in Prussian politics. The agrar-
1anS have shown such stubbornness in
opposition to the progressive classes
that the conflict must continue until one
or the other permanently gains the SUI
premacy Even the moderate Liberals
are more than ever before incensed al
the agrarian reactionary tendencies IT
seems as if the conflict could not end
without leaving a permanent mark ON
Prussian political history.
The adjournment of the Reichsta o
mas been followed by lively press dis
cussion in regard to mentioning in de-
pate the Emperors utterances and tbe
Emperor's relations to the Reichstae
Count Won Ballestrem, the President
introduced an innovation of the old rule
that the words of the monarch are not
subject to discussion by admitting such
discussion where the words were print.
ed In the official .'Reichsanzeiger. Near
the close of the anti-strike bill discus-
SION, Herr Brefeld, the Prussian Min
lister OF Commerce. sharply criticised
the President for permitting a reference
to words Of the Emperor. The Presi-
Gent replied with sharpness and direct
ness.
Inc papers admit the difficulty of OH
serving the old rule of constitutional
monarchies that the monarch only
speaks through the Ministers, for the
frequent speeches of the Emperor on
political subjects render the observa-
lion OF tne rule almost impossible
The news published here that Admiral
dewey had written a very kind letter
70 Admiral Diedrichs, regretting the
false reports spread" regarding their
relations at Manila has been received
with much satisfaction. 1t is said the
letter will be published when Admiral
Diedrichs returns to Germany.
Inc Bremen Chamber of Commerce
demands decided action toward the
United States in tariff matters and sug-
sests that American goods be subject
ed 10 the same conditions here as Ger
man goods in the United States in re-
gard to consular authorization of in
voices and fees.
Inc agrarlan press strongly indorses
tnis ana notes the fact that the Bremen
cnamoer is free trade body.