The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-12-14
KAISER DISSOLVES REICHSTAG.
HrEN VAR NOV BETWEEN en-
PEROR AND HIS PEOPLE.
Break came When Budget 10 Carry On In
popular Campaign In Southwest Africa
Wss R-Jecled-NatIon Aroused by Sol
dlers' Inhuman Treatment ef Native Is.
psc,oi cable Dispatches to THH sun.

BERLIN. Dec. I3.-1he Reiohst az to-day
reiecte ed the supplementary credits for
south Africa and Chancellor Prime Won
Baelow thereupon read an imperial message
d. solving the Reichstag.
Tho Kaiser and his Government are now
g., open wal with a large section, may be
majority, Of the German nation. The
.',rm had long been lowering and in the
'a-t few days it became merely a question
~ when and how il would burst.
Tar SUNS dispatches for some time
RS, have reflected the grave unrest OF the
nation and the dissatisfaction with the inn
ue-ial policy in many directions. The
discontent finally focused itself upon the
colonial policy. The prohtless, costly and
inglorious war against the natives Of Ger
man southwest Africa, Of which a great
proportion of the nation is heartily sick,
especially excited antagonisni and il has
now led 10 a vote in the Reichstag hostile
~ the Governments policy.
The recent revelations in Parliament and
the press of the inhuman treatment OF the
natives Of southwest Africa by the greatly
tried German troops fomented public anger,
when was not appeaseW ny Palliative
speeches by members of the Government.
But this was only part OF the irritant.
The Government, as already reported in
these dispatches. asked the Reichstag to
grant a supplementary estimate OF ~, TO 900
marks TO carry on the war in the rebellious
colony. This demand, chiefly through the
detection OF the powerful Centre Catholic)
party from the Government, was rejected
by the budget committee two days ago
and an acute political crisis, which has
thrilled the whole empire, Immediately
arose.
In the interval between the committee
action and the submittal Of the vote to a
plenary sitting Of the Reiohstag the Gov
eminent did its utmost to convert the re-
calcitrant Deputies and with sufficient
success to make il doubtful whether the
Reichstas would not, as it has often done,
reverse the committee decision and vote
the sum, W hich all the official experts de-
Clsred was the minimum amount COM
patible with the vital interests OF the en-
pire.
II was we'll understood that the crucial
question, besides involving the parliament's
approval or ~disapproval of the conduct OF
colonial affairs, covered also a decision
whether the predominant Centre party
RnOul0 TetaIn the IuuuenCc " n phk CiN
in the management OF colonial Affairs.
The speeches OF Chancellor Won Buelow
and Director Dernberg Of the Colonial,
ONCE had left no doubt. Issue was clearly
Joined as between the Government and the
Centre PARTY and the division which was
10 seal the fate of the colonial vote was also
to decide which of the combatants must give
way.
The. extreme importance of to-day's
proceedings was evidenced by the unusually
large attendance of members Of the Reichs-
Tag as well as by the presence OF the
chancellor and Minister'S ~ Foreign Affairs,
Interior. War and Finance. while the public
galleries were packed with eager spectators.
there was a general feeling OF extreme
t.rsion proportioned by recognition OF the
magnitude of the question at issue.
Chancellor Won BueIow. who has never
covered full vigor since his recent illness,
manifested despite his best efforts % ,,
uervous excitement. Immediately after
the result Of the proceedings Of the budget
committee had been reported by DR.. SPAIN,
the leader Of the Centre party, the Chancel-
l,r rose amid tense excitement and said
that the hill for the estimate which was
now before the House had been subjected
10 the most careful scrutiny by all compe-
tent authorities. who agreed that the de-
mands were absolutely indispensable II
the colony were to he preserved.
He declared the proposal to make a pro-
vision that would necessitate a consider
able reduction in the number Of troops In
southwest Africa could not be accepted,
as il would hinder the execution OF mill
tary plans.
The result would not consist solely OF the
loss Of the ~outhwester Protectorate.
hut also in ~endangering the central and
northern colonies and provoke a general
revolt against white rule. A small force
could not cope with such a movement.
We should then" said the Chancellor
shave to face the question whether we
should reconquer the colony, with dispro-
portionate sacrifices, or lose it forever. IL
- a question OF a last effort to restore per-
manent peace and security for our colonies
~ we finch at this last sacrifice we become
guilty Of a grave omission and OF a sin
against the nation.
Il cannot believe that the Reichstag will
take a resolution equally regrettabie and
FERROUS from a military, financial, poltica
and national point OF view. Should l be
mistaken in this respect I, as the responsible
director OF the affairs Of the Empire, woulc
not he in a position 10 face the German
reopIe and history and sign such a capitu.
htion."
notwithstanding the suppressed excite
ment. which seemed sometimes TO shake
his body, the Chancellor seldom spok'
better. His sentences were delivered with
great determination and seriousness il
clear, forcible language. The speech mad
= deep impression. The Conservatives
National Liberals and other governments
adherents, loudly applauded it, many ii
the public galleries joining them.
A three hours debate followed in whicI
the Centrists, through their spokesman
Herr Roeren, made it clear that they wer'
not affected by the Chanoellor's appeal, an'
that they would maintain uncompromisln
hostility.
The Chancellor wound up the discussion
reneuin1 amid intanae silence. bis warnin