The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-12-06
Socialist with N Small Body but Large
Head stirs Up Supporters
of the Measure.
TWO NATIONS IN GERMANY
THEY ARE THE PLUNDERERS AND
THE PLUNDERED, HE SAYS.
Severe Attack on Agrarians for Ad-
vocating Imposition of the
"Hunger Duties"

BERLIN, Dec. 5.-The most insignificant
looking man in the Reichstag, Herr BebeI,
broke its didactic monotony to-day and
shifted the tariff debate to emotional levels
Herr Bebel spoke to breathless galleries
He often provoked his opponents, but some
times he enthralled even them.
The wagon maker is diminutive in body
and has a large head. Pulling at his
pointed chin whiskers. he took the tribune
after the peasant farmer, Herr Nissen, and
as the representative of 100000 voters he
lodged the Socialist protest against the
hunger duties" as he called the tariffs
on grain. The man seemed to grow bodily
as he warmed up to his work. He spoke
as always, with astonishing ease and rapid
ity of utterance. His tuneful voice instead
of growing hoarser as the speech was pro-
longed on the contrary grew more melo-
dious. Herr Bebel said there were two ma
lions in the German state-the plunderers
and the plundered. 1.-THE imperial chan
ceilor, Count Won Buelow, spoke for the
former; am speaking for the latter" he
continued. Fifteen per cent. of the Ger
man people are engaged in agriculture
The chancellor said the remaining IS per
cent were engaged in other occupations
and that q per cent. of these latter were
industrialists. The proposition of the gov
eminent was TO lay tax OF between 6VO,-
100000 and 100000 600 marks on food in order
TO make more profitable the occupation OF
10 per cent. of the people. Only one-ninth
of the grain is imported.
Agriculture in Germany might be called
prosperous. The late DR.. Won MIGUEL
former minister of finance, in official
declaration three years ago said German
agriculture was prosperous. The Prussian
now investing 100000 marks in new agri-
cultural holdings. The reduction of farm
mortgage foreclosures of recent years
showed that agriculture was better off
than previously and the value of lands has
increased during the last century.
This bill is intended, not for the better
ment OF the larm laborer, but for the bet
terment OF the landlords. If any landlord
is not getting on well now, it is because OF
large hunting parties, milling, well-filled
wine cellars, some in crack cavalry regi-
ments and town houses in Berlin"
AT this point of Herr Bebel's speech Graf
Won Kardorff, one of the greatest land
magnates, laughed jeeringly.
Yes continued Herr Bebel. THAT is the
way with you fellows. You lay taxes upon
the poor and when it is proven to you that
they are unnecessary, you laugh. But the
worlds history rolls on over you regard
lessly."
Later Graf Won Arnim, another great
Agrarian leader, scornfully interrupted
Herr Bebel while the latter was relating an
incident or a PruSSlan ScnOOiSirl VINO want
ed to go to heaven because there was nc
hunger there. Upon this occurrence the So
cialist members of the Reichstag rushed in
q body toward the Conservative side of the
chamber, shouting "Order!" Interruptions
of all sorts were then made. These showed
the rising temper of the house. The pres
ident of the Reichstag frequently rang his
bell or called Herr Bebel and the other
members of all political groups to order.
Herr Bebel, inspired by the tempestuOus
temper of the house, exclaimed: This bill
foments Instruction The chancellor aims
to overturn social order. We shall do our
utmost to send this bill to hades, and we
only regret we cannot send it's authors and
abettors there also"
Baron Won Reinhaben, the Prussian min
lister Of finance, advised Herr Bebel that If
the Social Democrats stirred up rebellion
the government assured them they would
reap a harvest of broken heads. This was
greeted with cheers the Right and
laughter on the Left. Herr MOeller the
minister of commerce, said he regarded
the tariff effective weapon in the
hands of the government to force to a con-
clusiOn favorable commercial treaties
Both Herr Moeller and Baron Rheinba-
ben referred to the necessity of protection
from American competition. The latter de-
scribed the misery caused by the Dingley
tariff bill among the working classes of
Germany.
The Reichstag then adjourned