The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-12-14
Emperor 5 Sprung Surprise on
German Lawmakers
GOVERNMENT BILL FAILED
Dissolution Means Direct Attack Upon
the Clerical Party-Chancello Won
Buelow Makes lmpassioned
Speech for Army.

Berlin, December 13-The existence of
the Reichstag was suddenly ended this
! afternoon amid scenes of considerable eX-
citement upon the defeat of the govern
ments bill for supplementary approprl-
alton to support the troops in German
southwest Africa. This action on the part
of the government, although foreshad-
owed several days ago, took the house
by surprise. as dissolution means di-
rect attack upon the clerical party. which
| has grown into such intimate relations
with the government that it frequently
| has been characterized as the governing
party
The elericals have grown so strong in
numbers and have attained such an infu-
ence over the policy of the government
that political prophets asserted that I'm
peral Chancellor Won Buelow would
never venture to create breach with
the party. The tension between the gov
| ernment and the clericals has been
growing since Director of the Colonial Of
! flee Dernburg on December attacked
the minister of the center party, Herr
Roern, in the Reichstag, and showed that
he had attempted unduly to influence the
governments administrative measures in
| the colonies.
House Filled.
| The expectation that the chancellor
would speak and that it was possible
the government would be defeated. and
the immediate dissolution of Parliament
follow, filed the house. both the floor
and galleries being crowded Herr SPAIN,
the clerical leader, began the discussion
of the supplementary budget, amounting
to S7,350,00, to meet the expenses of the
war in German southwest Africa IRE
jected by the appropriations committee
on December ~, by reporting on behalf
of the majority of the appropriations
committee that it was their conviction
that the number of German troops in that
colony could be reduced TO 25OO men. al
though the government and general staff
affirmed that the present garrison, num-
bering 1900 men, could not be reduced
below 5000. Herr SPAIN said he left the
question with the house.
The chancellor replied that between
now and January a, 1907, 1000 men would
be brought home and that after January
more troops would be recalled accord
ing to the military necessities; but to
mean the loss of the southern part of the
colony and would greatly endanger the
central and northern parts, while German
rule In Africa would be imperilled by
renewal of the insurrection in German
southwest Africa which would spread,
naturally, beyond the frontier.
Continuing, the chancellor said:
National Crime.
| sJf no e1,riply From, tI,ic Ia eaortAe
shall be guilty, in my opinion, of great
| national crime. l cannot believe that the
house will arrive at such fatal resou-
ton, which would be equally deporable
| from financial, military, political and
| national point Of view. AS the RESPONSE
BILE leader of the affairs of the empire |
would not be able to sign such cap-
| tulation."
After the speakers Of the various par
ties had been heard the situation seemed
even more grave. Thereupon Prince Won
Buelow again rose to make final appeal
| for the passage of the bill. The chaneel
| lor said he felt 1t to be his duty again at
the last hour to call attention to the
serious responsibility in the present vote.
He declared it was not a question of
few millions more or less but whether we
| can hold our colonies or not.
"The question is" he continued, are
we willing to Jeopardlze our respect IN the
eyes of the world, and our military pres
! tge or not?'
! Here the chancellor was interrupted by
thunderous applause and shouts from the
! opposition.
Shall we jeopardze our national stand
| ing?" said Prince Won Bueow. ''for a
paltry sum at the end OF a campaign
which has cost hundreds of millions?"
! The speaker referred to the examples
given by Great Britain and France in
! their colonial wars which had been
waged without the slightest shrinking.
Shall the German people be smaller
than other people?' he asked. THAT is
the question which the federated govern
ments want answered, yes or no."
| The chancellor then referred to the ut
terance often attributed to him. "Only let
us have no international crisis" He said
he had not been msquoted. but raising his
voice he declared
Shall Have a Crisis.
"1f you want a crisis. well then you
| shall have a crisis"
AS Prince Won Buelow continued. he be-
came more animated. and as he spoke the
| following words he was clearly agitated:
People say ] only carry out the direc-
| tons OF the supreme authority of the