The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-04-15
1T IS NOT A SUCCESS
Interpolation of the Government
Fell Flat.
THE SIGNERS NUMBERED
Samoa the Subject of Discussion in the
Reichstag-An Attempt to Mix
Political and Economic
Matters.

Berlin April 14-There was a slim at
tendance OF members in the reichstag
to-day, but the galleries We're crowded
The United States embassy was repre-
serted at the session.
The opening speech of the interpelia-
tion to which the minister of foreign
Rfairs had previously agreed to reply.
was not a success, and it was afterward
Raid that the signers of the interpella-
lauon blundered in entrusting it's pre-
Eentation to DR.. Lehr. The latter, con-
trary to agreement made strong refer
ences to economic matters in arguing
against the American and British at
ttude in Samoa. limiting that Germany
would fight both countries economical
~ II thWarted politically. The party
leaders. one after another repudiated
Ir Lehr's declarations.
The speech of the minister of foreign
affairs also fell fiat and was hardly
applauded at the end
In substance, the Interpolation, which
was signed by the majority of the CEN
'1erlst party conservatives and national
liberals, asked for information regard
ing the events IN Samoa and also re-
quested information regarding the
measures taken or to be taken bv the
government under the circumstances.
The foreign minister, in his reply,
emphasized Germany's adherence to the
samoan act, the Encouragement of
Which he claimed was desirable to the
government. Continuing. the minister
SAID that the government knew nothing
OF the conflicts to have taken place he
tween the American admiral, Kautz,
ana the commander of the German war
snip Fake Finally the minister an
nounced that all governments had
agreed to Germany's proposal to dis
patch a commission, adding that Ger
many would only accept settlement
which would leave German rights and
interests unlmpared. He regarded the
uncurtalled maintenance of her treaty
rights as matter Of national honor.
DR.. Lehr was the only speaker whose
ntterances developed the motive of the
Interpolation. DR.. Lehr is known as
the leader of the 'alle-deutsche-ver-
pand lie was frequently interrupt
ed by members of the Leftist center
when he referred to threatened econom-
&c measures against the United States.
The speech of the foreign affairs min
lister was largely deprived of lis effect
ny DR.. Lehr's remark, and party lead
ers made successive declarations of sat
isfaction at the foreign minister's state
ment, greeting the minister's remarks
with cheers.
Prince Herbert Bismarck. in a declar-
alton, said he refrained from making
statements as a Samoa act signer, con-
tfoVertlng the sharp criticism of the
measure.
About 100 agrarians intended to pre-
clpltate a general discussion upon the
economic relations between the Tinted
States, Great Britain and Germany. but
tney We're prevailed upon to desist
The verdict at the end of the decision
was mat the pan-German party had
rendered itself ridiculous.
Prince Bismarck informed the CORE
spondent OF the associated press when
questioned as to the purport of his dec
laration that he did not mean to criti-
else the minister of foreign affairs. but
no disprove Dr. Lehr's deductions re-
membering his fathers motto, never to
mix economic questions with political
questions.
No debate followed, but speaking to
the orator, Herr Richter, the German
radical leader. said his party had moth
ing IN common with the manner with
which the Interpolation was handled
by DR.. Lehr. and Herr Leber. Ricl1ort
ana Won LevetZow expressed similar
views. Herr Liebknecht, the social
leader, approved of the ministerial
statement.
DR.. Lehr's speech in introducing the |
Interpolation was utterly devoid of tact |
and full of the crudest chauvinism. He |
SCORED at America, excitedly attacked |
England and demanded that the gov |
eminent should grant no commercial |
privileges to such countries who. he |
declared, had insulted the dignity of |
the German empire. He would not ad-
wise declaration of war against Great |
Britain and the United States and |
boisterous laughter from all parts of
chamber followed. but he would fully
expect Germany to annex the Samoan
Islands and increase the navy lin order
that Germany's prestige may be safe
guarded in both hemispheres He was
listened to with manifest displeasure
on all sides and the general opinion is |
that he has placed both himself and his !
adherents in a very ludicrous position. |
The chief result of his speech is to rem |
der the Pan-Germanic association. |
whose chief aim has been to poison the |
relations of Germany with Great Brit
ain and the United States ridiculous |
throughout the length and breadth of |
the land.
The leaders of all parties afterward |
declared they would not have signed |
the Interpolation had they known it |
would be introduced in such chauvin-
istic manner.