The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-18
TEST OF AGRARlAN STRENGTH.
GERMANY ACITATED OVER THE
PROPOSED CANAL BILL.

Government viii Urge Its Passage,
end the Agrarians and Their Al
lies, Who Are Hostile TO America,
win Oppose It-Gernany's Atti-
tude ON Arbitration-Germa
wants More Spanish IsIands-Rus-
STA May Have Crisis.
Copyright, 1859 by the Associated Press.)
Berlin, June 1.-THE canal bill en-
crossed attention this week. and the pa
pers had much to say pro and con, ac-
cording TO party standpoint
Inc ultimate fate of the bill concerns
America, As the construction of net works
of a canal joining the three largest rivers
IN Prussia. the Elbe, Rhine and Weser
and the far eastern provinces, these Dor
dering on the German ocean, will cheaper
ard facilitate the freights of American
exports, notably, cereals, meats cotton
and other bulky goods.
Another point interesting to America is
the fact that the Prussian Agrarians and
those parties ahhliating with them, the
Conservatives Reiehspartei, and a por-
ten Of the Center have made the bill
test of strength between them and the
government, and almost personal con-
test between them and The Emperor who
with the entire Prussian cabinet, is
pledged for the canal.
Ills majesty left no doubt this week
thai he strongly wishes lhe great canal
10 be built. He summoned the crown
council for the purpose of agreeing with
the cabinet on a line OF action Ia the Diet
and personally drew up a deelara ton
Wnleh was read in the Diet on Thursday
promising compensation to individuals and
then provinces, especially Siesia finan-
claily injured by the canal
VIII BE "a Test of Strength.
The passage of the bill through the low
er house OF the Diet Will therefore be a
signal defeat for the Agrarians, who are
always the most hostile to American in
terests in Germany.
The correspondent here of the Associat-
ca Press learns on high government au-
thority that the aeceptance of the b1l nv
the lower house OF the Diet does not mean
It's adoption by che upper house. where The
government expects determined opposition
as me Agiarlan interests are usually pre-
dominant in that body.
IT, as is most likely the majority Of the
upper mousse opposes the bill, the Emperor
Is j. oetermined 20 resort to the expedient of
forcing us linal passage, which has not
neen tried in Prussian politics for a gem
Grafton This viii be a so-called Pairss-
chuh. The Emperor as King of Prussia
VIII create a Sufficient mum. or Of new peers
10 secure the desired majority.
Inc Imperor's intentions remain a Sc
cret known 10 few Of his intimates, but
contingency arising, as he is determined 10
demonstrate that The Agrarians are not
slrchg enough TO defeat important legis-
iatlon required for The counry's gool
Germany and Arbitration.
The recent DEVELOPMENTS at the peace
conference are generally commented up
on here and the statements of the foreign
papers, particularly the English that the
German representatives a The Hague are
opposed 10 arbitration, have been noted
with deep displeasure. Almost the entire
press OF Germany gives indignant voice
to what the papers term English in
trlgues n order TO prejudice the world
against Germany's pacific intentions"
1t now seems certain that the anti
strike bill VIII not find a majority in the
Reichstag. According TO the government
programme, the bill will come up next
week, but strong pressure is being ex-
erted upon the government TO postpone
II until the autumn, as during the past
fortnight the opposition TO it has been
gaining ground. Besides the Radicals
the Socialists, the National Liberals and
the largest part of the Center oppose the
measure. 1t seems, if the government in
sists upon the first reading before adj
journment, that the bill will be defeated
without the honor of a reference to a
committee. The government would thus
meet a severe defeat.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press learns on reliable authority that ne
gotatious are really pending between
Spain and Germany for the oession of The
West African island of Fernando Pc and
The negotia tons are a such a stage that
mutual secrecy is insisted on. 1t is learn
ed the Canaries are also within these ne
COLLATION.. Spain asks a big price, how
ever, much higher than Germany is will
ing 10 pay.
May BE Crisis in Russia.
The st. Petersburg correspondent of the
Well-nformed Kreuz Zeitung claims an
internal crisis in Russia is fast approach
ing, pointing out that the Russian labor
troubles at Riga the disturbances of the
students and the famine in various prov
inces are symptoms of the coming Of
greater trouble.
The paper adds that it has inside infor
nation enabling it to say that perfect de-
moraiization prevails in the upper govern
ment circles of Russia, owing 10 opposing
influences of the Gar on one side and his
mother on the other.
The highest court of Casset has decided
that clergyman of a denomination NOT
officially recognized by the government is
considered a layman and for such persons
10 offer public prayer is a crime A clergv-
man named Wicke has been sent to IAN
for this offense.
SLIPPERS SPOIL ANKLES.
"