The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-23

Accused by Herr Bebel of Coercfng
VenexueIa-Von BueIow's Reply.

VenezueIa-VOnB uelOv's Reply.
BERLIN, Jan. 22.-During the budget de-
bate in the Reichstag to-day Herr Bebel
Socialist, ascribed the empires deficits to
the enormous expenditures for the army
and navy and to the futile efforts to play
the first role in the world" which Germany
was unable to do. The government, he
continued was afflicted with the ''malady
of suddenness," which defeated It's own
aims. The speaker instanced the rearma-
ment of the army with artillery which had
already been relegated to the second rank.
The United States, Herr Bebel said, had
entered into the competition for ornaments,
and owing to her great resources and ener-
gy will soon outstrip Europe. Herr Bebel
further said the empires expenditures for
the army and navy were likely to grow
even greater under the present conception
of the foreign policy. Germany wanted to
be first everywhere. Its attitude toward
weaker states would never be tolerated
towards itself Its action towards Haiti
was brusque, and how, the speaker asked.
can the Panther's bombardment of Fort
San Carlos be justified
Continuing, Herr Bebel remarked: "Presi-
dent Castro is struggling for life and the
maintenance of the presidency. We cannot
take it Ill for a man under such circum-
stances if he resists excessive demands.
The coercion of Venezuela is in the inter-
ests of great capitalists and the Krupp
firm has share in It, Such violence
should be resorted to only in the most ex-
treme cases."
Chancellor Won Buelow replied to Herr
Bebel, saying: Herr Bebel has defended
government against us with a degree of
animation such as l have seen In no Euro
pean newspaper. President Castro doubt
less will read Herr Bebels speech with the
greatest delight at his morning coffee. Let
me further remark that the question at
issue between Venezuela and the powers is
not merely one of claims, but of the defense
by the powers of their prestige. which has
been impaired through President Castros
action and through the manner In which
he repudiated. impolitely, to express II
fore perfectly justified in proceeding jointly
with Great Britain and Italy for the pres
ervation of our prestige"
In answering Herr Bebers attack upon
Germany's naval expenditures, the imper-
ial chancellor spoke as follows: when
Herr Bebel says that naval officers, retired
cles claiming that our fleet must be strong
enough to annihilate the British navy.
answer him that this, of course, Is a fancy
picture which is found in the literature OF
| all peoples / point only to the imaginary
| battle of Dorking, which no responsible
| statesman dreams of and which no reason
able man in Germany regards as possible.
Chancellor Won Buelow, later in his ad-
| dress, said that Herr Schaedler (Bavariar
member of the Center party, had remarked
| the other day that the Germans were more
hated than loved in the world. 81 regard
| this wide generalization as incorrect" con.
| tinued the chancellor. 81 believe we have
| trustworthy political friends and that the
world has not forgotten the radiant genius
| of the German people 1 recently referred
to a wild poet who was unfavorabiy dis
posed toward US. / am glad to note thai
the Belgo- French author, Maeterlinck. who
| is now in Berlin has not improperly char
| acterized the German people as the mora
conscience of the world. But even IL sc
much hatred and dislike for US prevail az
| Herr Bebel, too, seems to assume, then In
my opinion, hatred and envy, and hate 1:
| usually born of envy, are sweeter thar
| pity. Let us keep our powder dry; let u.
not quarrel too much among ourselves anC
| nobody will run foul of our wa gon"