Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-09
CONFLICT In THE DIET
MINISTER OF INTERIOR AND
LEADER OF PARTY AT ODDS.
Special cablegram to The Star.

BERLIN, April IA remarkable con-
flict has broken out in the diet of the
grand duehy of Baden between the min
lister of the interior, DIR. Schenke. and the
leader of the socialist party, Herr Geek.
During debate in the diet DIR. Schenkel
said that certain sections of the Baden
police who had sought the assistance of
the socialists to redress their grievances
were guilty of breach OF duty and 10y
atty, as the socialists were mainly con-
cerned in uprooting all authority In the
state. Herr Geek took exceptions to this,
and claimed for his party an equal right
with all other parties to represent the peo-
pie, and told the minister that his remarks
were insulting to the diet. Herr Geek was
at once called to order by the president.
AS he has been one OF the vice presidents
of the diet the presidents reproof WILL it
is believed, result in depriving him of this
dignity.
The recent addresses of Emperor William
on medieval armor calls attention once
more to the extraordinary variety of the
subject with which his many speeches have
dealt. He has spoken on socialism, labor
legislation, agriculture, taxation, naval poi
icy the construction of canals, municipal
enterprise, military strategy shipbulding,
engineering, architecture, education yacht
ing, theology, sculpture, painting, science,
philosophy, music, the breeding of horses
and cattle, the duties of housewives, lit
era ture and the drama. His remarkable ad
dresses have won for him the title of De-
Ing the best educated monarch in Eu-
rope. On the other hand he has been Of
ten blamed because of his inability to re-
strain himself from making injudicious pup
lie utterances.
Shrewd and Practical Man.
Those who have been brought into close
contact with the kaiser say that he is an
unusually shrewd and practical man, with
much common sense, and quite unusual
powers of penetration and observation. lie
is hard worker, deep thinker and man
of extraordinary versa tility.
No monarch whose doings have been re-
corded In the history of the world has ever
achieved anything approaching the kaisers
record of oTations. 1t appears from the rec
ords of the twelve months past that during
the year the emperor has delivered 1T9
speeche3; that Is, approximately, one every
other day of the year. Whatever objections
may be raised to the contents of the kaiser's
speeches no one can deny that he Is an
orator in the highest sense of the word.
He has perfect command of pure Ian
guage, his sentences built up in ire
proachahle literary form. and his passionate
eloquence always inspires his audiences
with genuine enthusiasm. His addresses
have probably given more offense to the
social democrats than to any other powerful
faction in Germany. He has repeatedly
denounced the adherents of the social dem
ocratic party, which polled three million
votes at the last general election more
than a million more than any other party
miserable traitors who must be crushed
by force.
Appalling revelations regarding the sweat
shops have lust been made public in Ger
many. So amazing is the condition OF af-
fairs that Count Posadowsky, imperial sec
rotary of state for the interior. has prom
ised to give the subject matter his close at
tentlOn. Prince Ludwig heir annareDf To
the throne of Bavaria. has also taken up
the matter. and the King of Saxony has
ordered commission of inquiry for his
own domintons. The industries in which
starvation wages prevail are passementerie
lace, artificial flowers and toys. In vast
number of cases the workroom serves as
kitchen and bedroom as well, and the low
rate of pay obliges parents to insist on the
assistance of their children. Ninety hours
q week are not unusual for adults, and for
children sixty to sixty-six hours.
Estimates for the Colonies.
In the course of the debates on the esti-
mates for the German colonies considerable
discussion has been excited by the case of
the governor of the Cameroons, Herr Won
Puttkamer who was really recalled in
order to give an account OF his conduct in
various matters relating to the admnistra-
ton of the colony. 1t has been brought out in
the reichstag that Herr Won Puttkamer
took with him to the Cameroons female
companion, who resided with him in the
government house, and was known under
the assumed name of Fret Frau Won Eek
hardstein and as the cousin of the governor.
On one occasion the captain of a German
warship which was on visit to the colony
had to take this lady into dinner, and al
though 1t appears that no official complaint
was made, q personal explanation subse-
quently took place between Herr Won Putt
kamer and the officer, and the governor
rendered an apology.
serious aspect when 1t became known that
on the return of the alleged cousin to Ger
many she was supplied by Herr Won Putt
kamer with a passport bearing the name of
Fret Frau Won Eckhardstein. The question
of the passport Is now engaging the atten-
ton of the colonial department, and Herr
Won Puttkamer, according to the state
ment of the acting director of the depart
ment, the hereditary Prince Hohenlohe-
Langenburg, asserts that he had no reason
to doubt the right of a person in question
to bear the name to which she laid claim.
On the other hand Herr Won Puttkamer
admits that in taking her to reside In the
government house he acted unwisely. A
leading conservative deputy. who endeav-
ored to defend Herr Won Puttkamer In the
budget committee, subsequently stated that
he could longer maintain the defense
he did not wish to cast the first
stone. 1t is believed that Herr Won Putt
kamer will not return to his post.