The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-02-09
WlLHELM'S NAVAL BILL
ADMIRAL TIRPITZ INTRODUCES THE
MEASURE In REICHSTAG.
Speech Urging the Necessity of In
creasing Germany's Fleet-Return
of Money Stolen from Bank.

BERLIN, Feb. S-The first reading Of
the naval bill took place in the Reichstag
to-day. The house and gallaries were
crowded. The secretary of the admiralty,
Admiral Tirpitz, the secretary of the in
terror Count Won Observation-Disclosures and
the secretary of the treasury, Baron Won
Thielman. were present A Photographic
apparatus was CONSPICUOUS in the gallery for
the purpose of reproducing the historic
scene. Admiral Tirpitz. introducing the
bill, said the historical events of the last
two years had spoken III such clear lam
guage that the necessity for a strong fleet
for Germany had been recognized in ever
widening circles in the country He re-
Gently had the opportunity to point out to
the House that Germany cannot know
what adversaries she may some day have
to deal with and that 1t was necessary to
adopt the principle of providing for the
most dangerous opponent The most dam
gerous war for Germany to be i'm would
be one in which her army could not be used
at the outset In such a war Germany
would require solely strongSheet
~'During a war it would be difficult to
protect our merchantmen on the high
seas" continued the admiral. therefore
such war must be altogether prevented
by strong fleet The provisions of the
bill coincide with the statement of the gov
eminent in presenting the budget. 1t in
creases the effectiveness of the navy and
ships are kept In commission. The conclud-
ing paragraph becomes purposeless, but for
technical reasons II could not be elim-
mated Our object is to place a second
fighting fleet alongside the old one, but in
dependent of 1t. like two army corps.
las regards the number of ships to con-
stitute a fleet. we have adopted the maxi
mum number possible to a one-man COM
mand, and there would still remain the
question as to whether the proposed doub-
ling of the navy is sufficient, and as to
whether the dangers existing at the pres
ent time are removed or considerably re-
duced by the bill. We prefer to leave that
question for discussion in committee. We
think the necessity of increasing the num-
Der of ships foreign service is gener-
ally admitted. The cost to 1920 is calculated
at 500. 100000 marks, or 40, 900, 900 marks an
annually. At a moment when we are about
to effect a considerable increase in the
fleet II appears inexpedient to break with
the loan system Unless fixed immovable
loan Is determined on further difficulties
Will arise in the navy itself with our pres
ent hand-to-mouth way of proceeding The
federal governments are so penetrated with
the sense of the necessity of the bill that
they have declared 1t impossible to wait
any longer. We hope the house will con-
vince itself of the necessity of the BILL"
AS the admiral sat down there were a
few marks of approval from the Right,
mingled with laughter on the Left The
debate crowded the galleries and brought
out an unusually large attendance of men,
bers. 1t was quite impossible to meet the
demands of the public for seats. The lob
bies We're literally crammed with people
clamoring for tickets.
The government left no doubt that re-
lection of the bill would mean dissolution.
Nevertheless the opposition was stronger
than had been expected and ii now seems
probable that the Reichstag will curtail the
government demands.