The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-06-23

Heroic Measures 60 be ADOPTED by the
Emperor to Secure Passage Of In
Canal Bill-Signs Of Approaching
Crisis I'm Russia

Crisis I'm Russia
Copyrighted by Associated Press.)
Berlin, June 1.-THE canal bill en-
crossed attention and the papers had
much 10 say pro and con, according to
party standpoint.
The ultimate fate Of the bill coacerns
America, as the construction Of a net
work Of canals joining the three larg-
est rivers in Prussia, The Elbe, Rhine
and Weser, and the far eastern provin-
ces, those bordering on the German
ocean. will cheaper and 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
~agriarians and those parties aftiliating
with them, the conservatives, reichs-
partei and a portion Of the centre, have
made the bill a test of strength be-
tween them and the government and
almost a personal contest between them
and the emperor, who, with the entire
Prussian cabinet, is pledged for the
canal. His majesty left no doubt this
week that he strongly wishes the great
canal to be built. He summoned the
crown council for the purpose of agree
ing with the cabinet On a line of a GER
tain diet and personally drew a prepa-
ration which was read in the diet on
Thursday, promising compensation to
individuals and to provinces, especially
Silesia, financially injured by the canal.
The passage of the bill through the
lower house of the diet will therefore
be a signal defeat for the agrarians
who are always the most hostile TO
American interests in Germany.
DETERMINED TO CARRY THE
MEASURE.
The correspondent here Of the Asso-
ciated Press, learns on high govern
ment authority that the acceptance Of
the bill by the lower house of the diet
does not mean it's adoption by the up
per house, where the government ex-
poets determined opposition as the
agrarian interests are usually predomi-
nant in that body.
If, as is most likely, the majority OF
the upper house opposes the bill, the
emperor is determined to resort to the
expedient Of forcing its final passage,
which has not been tried in Prussian
politics for a generation. The empe-
ror will create a sufficient number OF
new peers to secure the desired ma
jority.
The emperor's intentions remain a
secret known to few of his intimates,
but they will be carried out in the
event of the contingency arising, as
he is determined to demonstrate that
the agrarians are not strong enough to
defeat important legislation required
for the country's good.
AT THE PEACE CONFERENCE.
The recent developments at the peace
conference are generally commented up
on here and the statements of the for
eign papers, particularly the English,
that the German representatives at The
Hague are opposed to arbitration have
been noted with deep displeasure. AL
most the entire press of Germany gives
Indignant voice to what the apers
term English intrigues in order to
prejudice the world against Germany's
pacific intentions"
It seems certain that the anti
strike bill will not find a majority in
the reichstag. According to the gov
eminent programme the bill will come
up next week, but strong pressure is
being eXerted upon the government to
postpone it until the autumn, as DUR
ing the past fortnight the opposition
to it has been gaining ground. Besides
the radicals, the socialists, the nation
al liberals and the larger part of the
centre oppose the measure. 1t seems if
the government insists on the first
reading before adjournment, that the
bill will be defeated without the hon
or Of a reference to a committee. The
government would thus meet a severe
defeat. The correspondent of the Asso-
ciated Press learns on reliable author
ity that negotiations are really pend
ing between Spain and Germany for
the cession of the west African island
of Fernando Po., and some other i'm
portant Spanish colonies. The nego-
tiations are at such a stage that mu-
tual secrecy is insisted upon. 1t is
learned the Canaries are also within
these negotiations. Spain asks a big
price however, much higher than Ger
many is willing to pay.
CRISIS IN RUSSIA.
The st. Petersburg correspondent
OF the we'll informed Kreuz Zeitung
claims an internal crisis in Russia is
almost approached, pointing out that
the Russian labor troubles at Riga, the
disturbances of the students and the
famine in various provinces are symp-
toms Of the coming of greater trouble.
The paper adds that it has inside in
formation enabling it to say that per-
feet Generalization prevails in the up
per government circles of Russia, owing
to the opposing influences Of the car
On n side and his mother on the
other.
The highest court of casset has de-
cided that a clergyman of a denomina-
ton not officially recognized by the
government is considered a 1ayman,
and for such persons to offer public
prayer is a crime. A clergyman named
Wicke has been sent to jail for this
offense.
Can Use Any Sort of Gunpowder