The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-06-18
THE AGRARIANS OPPOSE
WILHELM MAY FORCE IT
THROUGH LOWER HOUSE.
DlSPLeASED Ar NEWS FROM THE HAGUE
Germany ego'iating Fer Other Islands From
Spain. An Internal Crisis Approach
irg In Russia. Generalization In
The Upper Government


Berlin. June 11.-The canal bill en-
crossed attention this week, and the pa
pers ha. much to say pro and con. ac-
cording to party standpoint. The uiti-
nglte fate of the hill concerns America.
as the construction of a network of
canals joining the three largest rivers
in Prussia the Efbe, Rhine and Weser,
and the far Eastern provinces, those Dor
dering on the German Ocean. will cheap
en- and facilitate the freights of Amer-
can exports, notably cereals, meats, cot
ton and other bulky goods. Another
point interesting to America is the fact
that the prusSian Agrarians and those
parties afflliating with them, the Conser-
yaties, lReicaspartei, and a portion of the
Centre, have made the bill a test of
strength between them and the Govern,
ment and almost a personal contest be-
tween 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
action in the Diet, and personally drew
mp declaration, which was read III the
Diet on Thursday. promising compensa-
item to individuals and to provinces. *
pecially Silesia, financially injured by
the canal. The passage of the bill
through the lower House of the Diet will
therefore be Il signal defeat for the Agra
ria1s. who are always the most hostile to
American interests in Germany.
The correspondent here of the Assoc
GATED Press learns ON high Government
authority that the acceptance of the blii
by the Tower House OF the Diet does
not mean its adoption by the Upper
House. where the Government expects
determined opposition. as the Agrarian
interests are usually predominant in that
body.
If, as is most likely, the majority of
the Upper House oppose the bill, the EN-
perCf Is determined to resort to the eX-
pedient of forcing its final passage, which
has not been tired in Prussian politics
for generation. This will be ii so
called pairsschu. THE Emperor as King
of russia will create sufficient number
Of new peers to secure the desired ma
jority.
lie Emperor's intentions remain Il
secret known to few of his intimate ties,
but they will be carried out i'm the event
of the contingency arising, as he is deter
mined to demonstrate that the Agrarans
are not strong enough to defeat import
ant legislation required for the country S
good.
The recent developments at the Peace
Conference are generally commented up
on, and the statements of tn foreign pa
pers particularly the English. that the
German representatives at Ine Hague
are opposed to arbitration have been not
ed with deep dismeasure. Almost the
entire press Of Germany gives indignant
voice to what the papers term English
intrigues in order to prejudice the world
against Germany's pacific intentions
1t now seems certain that the anti
strike bill will not find majority in
the Reichstag. According to the Gov
eminent papers the bill will come up
next week, but strong pressure is being
exerted upon the Government to post
pone it until the autumn, as during the
past fortnight the opposition to it has
been gaining ground Beside the Rad-
Gals. the Socialist, the Liberals and
the larger part of the Centre oppose the
measure. 1t seems if the Government
insists on the first reading before add
tournament, that the bill will be defeated
without the honor of Il reference to a
committee. The Government will thus
meet severe defeat.
The correspondent Of the Associated
Press learns on reliable authority that
negotiations are really pending between
Spain and Germany for the cession If
the West African Island or Fernando
Pc and some other important Spanish
colonies. The negotiations are ut such
stage that mutual secrecy is insisted
on. 1t is learned the Canaries are also
within these negotiations. Spain asks
big price, however. much higher than
Germany is willing to pay.
The St Petersburg correspondent OF
the well-informed Krauz Zeitung claims
an internal crisis in Russia is fast APP
preaching pointing out that the Rus-
sian labor troubles at Riga, the dis
turbances Of the students anu the fam
inc in various provinces are symptoms
Of the coming of greater trouole.
The paper adds that it has inside in
formation enabling it to say ina per-
feet decentralization prevails in the up
per Government circles of Russia. ow
ing to the opposing influences Of the
Gar on one side and his mother on The
other.