Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-03
.RE|CHSTAG IS OPENED
Chancellor Won Buelow Reads
Kaiser's Message.
DISCUSSES FINANCE
PROPOSAL TO INCREASE SALARY
LIST OF SOLDIERS.
Members Congratulated on Friendly
Relation of Germany With
All Countries.

BERLIN, December 3.-Chancellor Won
Buelow, as the emperor's representative.
opened the reichstag in the white hall of
the palace today.
The members of the reichstag, in evening
dress, court costume, military uniforms or
clerical coats, stood close together in front
OF the empty throne and did not occupy
much space in the great marble room.
The assemblage was smaller than on the
last occasion, twenty-five of the loyalists
having been turned out by the socialists,
not one of whom ever attends the opening
or the reichstag, which is essentially a
court function, all the members present
wearing royal order.
Company Kept Waiting.
Both the Protestant and Catholic menu
bers were late, each of these bodies had
been detained by services In their respective
churches. The chancellor also kept the
company waiting.
When he appeared with the cabinet min
listers walking two by two behind him, all
present bowed Won Buelow stood on the
left of the throne and read the emperors
message to parliament He said:
His majesty has directed me to express
here his thanks to all those who have sym
pathlZed with his sufferings, and to say
that their sympathy and hopes for his re-
covery have greatly rejoiced him.
Discussed Finance.
The chancellor then passed to the eco
nomic state of the country. which. he said,
still suffered somewhat from the world wide
depression which was unfavorably affecting
the imperial finances.
Emphasizing the ever-increasing necessity
for regulating the financial relations of the
empire with the separate states, the chan
cellor remarked that although a radical set
tlement of the question was not now feast
BILE the government would propose meas
ure introducing the most essential reforms
The government, continued the chancel-
lor, would propose retaining the present
amy footing to April 70, 1905, but it de-
sired to increase the salary list because OF
the growing cost of living.
Social Legislation.
The government further proposes to con-
tinue the development of social legislation
in the interests of the weaker classes. The
Dar-es-Salam- Mrosoro German East Af-
rfca) railroad bill would be reintroduced.
The government also intended prolonging
the present most favored relations with
Great Britain.
The chancellor supplied no informa ton re-
gaTding the progress of the commercial ne
gotiations with other countries.
In congratulating the nembers of the
reichstag on the very friendly relations OF
Germany with all countries, the chancellor
said the imperial government had con-
tributed Its share to the avoidance of serf-
Gus complications in the Balkans.
Hopes Peace May Continue.
He referred to Emperor Williams meet
ings with the great continental rulers, and
to the interchange of views connected
herewith, which had strengthened anew
their desire and hope that peace the great
est boon of the nations, shall continue to
be guarded from dangerous disturbances"
Chancellor Won Buelow then nodded to
DR.. Victor Rintelen, the Oldest member
present, who, stepping forward, proposed
three cheers for the emperor, in which the
few spectators present joined.
The message was favorably commented
upon, emphasis being placed on the fact
that the government had not made any
unusual demands on the taxpayers.
Members Felt Easier.
Although it was announced some time
ago that the government would not de-
nland a large increase for military pur-
poses the members of the reichstag felt
easier after the authoritative declaration
from the throne.
Satisfaction was also expressed at the
fac that the government did not propose
to introduce controversial legislation, SO
that the commercial treaties can be freely
and fully discussed.
After luncheon the members reassembled
In the reichstag TO. the preliminaries OF
organization. All the socialists were then
present