The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-08
SOCIALIST LEADER AND
WAR MINISTER IN TILT
Debate Waxed Warm and Both
Men Became Almost Personal
in Remarks.
ABOUT ARMY OFFICERS

BERLIN. March I'm the Reichstag to-
day the case of Lieut. Prince Prosper Won
Arenberg came up during the session OF
the military budget. CWhile commander OF
a station in German Southwest Africa,
Prince Won Arenberg killed native and
for this crime he was sentenced TO DEATH
This sentence. however, was subsequently
commuted to fifteen years imprisonment
Last week a military court began an in
quiry into the princes sanity. and declared
that he was mentally irresponsible when he
committed the murder. and therefore de-
clared his sentence to be null)
Herr Bebel, the SociaIistic leader, asked
General Won Einem, the war minister. for
information concerning the conditions
which governed the entrance OF officers into
the army.
General Won Einem replied that Prince
Won Arenbergs early life was entirely I'M
known to the military authorities at the
time he entered the army.
He discharged his duties in manner not
Objectionable. He studied at a private
school in Berlin and then became an officer.
mo blame attaches to the military adj
ministration for sending the prince to
Southwest Africa explained the minister
or war. The case is regrettable, and God
grant that such a thing does not occur
again TO besmirch a German name
Referring 40 General Won Einem's remark
about Socialists in the army, Herr Bebel
said the pioneers were nearly all Socialists.
We do not hoist the red flag, he contin-
ued, but you cannot take our sentiments
from us. You cannot fight a successful war
without. us Whenever there is need TO
fight for the existence of our country we
are ready. from the youngest 10 the eldest,
TO pick our rifles and march shoulder to
shoulder. For this / give you my word.
and We will fight 10 our last breath. The
army; however, must be able TO stand the
dread Of the Social Democrats that borders
on childishness''
General Won Einem spoke again and re-
ferring TO Herr BaDels assurance that the
OF the FatherIand. he said it gave him
great pleasure 10 hear this. He quoted
however. the words from Faust. 81 hear
Continuing he asked how that declaration
harm0nized with the continued efforts OF
the Socialists TO break the wariike spirit
your Oft-repeated assertion that the probe
tariat can suppress WARP the minister
went on. land with the speech delivered
In the Riechstag In 1893 by the Socialist
Grillberger, in which he said in the event
Of future war the Socialists would have
20 decide the question whether they would
participate in ii or not. Would you hold
another Dresden convention General VOr
Einem asked, ironically. by the time
you had done this we would be de-
feated- You only stir up trouble, agitate
and make matters worse.
Herr RiepenhaUsen Conservative con-
graduated the majority on the possession
of such sn able war minister. 81 am con-
WINGED this member said, that he is not
only man OF words but a man of action
When the Socialists embark on a policy OF
open force we will need man of energy
and power to protect the interests of the
Fatherland and / declare the minister OF
war 10 be such a man..