The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-12-13
EMPEROR'S NAVAL BILL.
It Is Discussed from Various Standpolnts
IN the ReIchstag.
THE CESTRIST LEADER WAS ASSAULTED
struck with stick by Mamie
ms He Entered the Rcichstng-Em-
perar's Speech Discussed.

Berlin, December 1.-THE event of the
day has been DR.. Lieber's criticisms In the
reichstag OF Emperor Williams speech at
Hamburg The spectacle Of this cautious
leader OF the most important group in the
reichstag-that section that will decide the
fate of the naval bll--thus severely blam-
ing the kaiser, is almost without parallel
In German parliamentary history. 1t was
an the more notable because Count Bale
strem. president of the reichstag, upheld
the dignity of the chamber and maintained
for freedom OF speech, even against the
imperial chancellor. This evening parlia-
mentary circles arc all agog over the
incident. BY some 1t is said that Count
Won Balestrem. who on several previous
occasions stopped similar criticism, had
In this instance a personal motive for per-
hitting unrestrained comment because, as
one OF the chief opponents of the canal
bill he became person non grata with the
emperor, who banished him tom court.
In any event the affair has not improved
the chances Of the naval bill.
The evening papers all refer to 1t.
The Centrist Germania says: Count Won
Bulow's speech amounted to a proclanla-
ton OF Germany's weltstellung tworld
POSITION. which tho entire center disap-
proves"
The National Zeitung, however. wholly
approved the naval plans OF the govern
ment.
The Neuste Nachrichten comments IA
vorably upon Prince Hohenlohe's declara-
tion yesterday. alleging that 1t has placed
the government naval plans back on con
siitutonal basis.
The vossische Zeitung and the Freis!n
1ige zeituug condemns the chanceilor's
announcement. and altogether the press
comment ls unfavorabie rather than other
wise
Berlin. December 12-Dr. Lieber, ,he
oentriet leader on entering the reichstag
al noon today was attacked by man who
vas apparently insane. The doctors as
sailau,, who struck him with stick, was
promptly arrested.
During toe debate in tie rellhstag on
she frs reading of the budget estimates,
DR. Lieber, who apparently was not in
eonvenienced by his encounter with the
supposed maniac, observed that the favor
able situation was due to the careful man
ner in which the house scrutlnized the
budget. This practice, he continued.
should be adhered to. The "Prussian
financial iugeler" tDr. Won MaueD he
further remarked, had biased the esti-
mates OF permanent expenditures on hue-
luating revenues" This, according to the
speaker. was impolitic and a heavy pen
atty would have to he paid for It some
day. The cenfrsts were OF the opinion
a.9ra.. l.
be met without recourse 10 fresh taxation
At present ne was not prepared to Soy
whether or not he would support the naval
bill. The declaration OF the government
the speaker claimed, would have had great
weight II had not been given publicity
befoe hand, thus sighting the reichstag
Dr. Lleber concluded With saying that
past and future events would prove 20
emperor that he had been i'll informed
when in Hamburg regarding the feeling
of the German people. During the hr5t
eight years OF the emporor's reign the
reeDstag had py no means psrsIstertly
refused TO increase the navy.
Prince Hohenlohe. the imperial chag-
cellor said he sincerely rogte.t.d that
the emperors speech had been introduced
in the debate. The speech, he added, had
been called forth by the political slthn-
zion. IL was an expression of Soliciiude
from the monarch FOR the power and pres
tige OF the Fatherland. In view OF the
eminent position which the kits OF Prus-
STA occupied as German emperor, his tight
to exhort his people to unity in order Il
achieve great ends and give expression
TO his wishes is not To be contested
Count Won Ballestrem, president Of tn,
relchstag intimated that he had alread,
ruled that members of the reiehstag coult
not be debarred from discussing In SUIT
able manner the speeches OF the empero
as published in the Reichsanzeiger, ad
ding: IL should regard myself as trench
ing on the highly important position whcl
the emperor occupied In political life If