New-York tribune., 1902-01-11
IN THE REICHSTAG.
A VIOLENT ATTACK ON CHAMBERLAIN AND
THE BRITISH ARMY.


Berlin. Jan. 10-During the debate on the
estimates in the Reichstag to-day Herr Basser-
mann declared that the National Liberal party
would oppose any suggestion of a loan of
$4,000 600 marks TO cover the deficit Financial
reform was necessary, and the National Liberals
were not averse to direct imperial taxation
In the course of the debate references were
made TO Mr.. Chamberlain's remark concerning
the German army, when the British Colonial
Secretary delivered his famous speech at Edin-
burgh. Herr Lebermann, Radical Anti-Semite,
made long and violent speech. and INDUCED
In the most bitter invective against Mr. Cham
berlain and the British army ever heard in the
Reichstag He characterized Mr.. Chamberlain
as the most wicked man Gods earth. This
expression called forth stern rebuke from the
President Of the House. but Herr Liebermann,
unabashed assailed the British army, chasing
It a mob of thieves and robbers, unfit to be
compared with the glorious Germans" The
speakers remarks called forth further censure
from the President
The Chancellor, Count Won Bulow. making a
general reply 10 preceding speakers, said:
believe I shall be in sympathy with a very
great majority OF the house when express the
hope that the custom of abusing foreign minis
ters from the tribune OF this august house will
not become naturaliZed among us. That would
accord neither with the usages OF the German
people nor the interests of our policy. (Cheers)
l must at the same time express my deep re-
gret at the way in which the last speaker Herr
Liebermann) referred to the army of a nation
with which we live in peace and friendship. As
We ourselves are sensitive concerning the honor
OF our own army, so we should not abuse foreign
armies in which there are brave enough
who know how to die. Bravos.)
Count Won Bulow strongly deprecated the con-
tention OF Herr Bassermann that the official
press ought to have given the lead to public
pfpiOy
speech.
Our press and public opinion" said the Chan
cellor, would stand in very low repute if in
questions of national honor they stood in need
of word of command from above I protest
against the idea that the Reputation of an
aspersion on the army should have any effect
in changing their policy. If this reputation is
to be an excuse for forcing upon us a different
attitude in regard to the war in South Africa or
q pretext for bringing about unfriendIv rela-
tions between our people and a people toward
whom we have never stood in hostility and to
whom we are bound by weighty interests | wish
10 leave IL beyond doubt that I will have moth
ing to do with anything of the kind We can
not let the direction of our foreign policy be
prescribed for us by speeches, resolutions or
popular meetings. That policy can only be de-
termined by the real and permanent interest
of the country; and that interest reouires nc
while fully safeguarding our independance diS
nifty and honor, to cultivate peaceful and
friendly relations with Great Britain"
The Chancellor regretted the incident which
had long infiamed public opinion in both conn
tries, and he hoped that in future the endeavor
to i've on good and friendly relations with Fne-
land would in no way be disturbed. The Chan
eellor concluded with expressing approval Of tba
recent speech made by Prince Won Wolff-Mettar
nich the German Ambassador to Great Britain
at Hamburg, advocating more cordial reIationS,
with Great Britain.
In the lobby, after the adjournment of tba
Reichstag Herr Liebermann said he had de-
liberately exposed himself to be called to ordar
wishing that the real temper of the people
might at last be voiced in its proper place"