Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-05-30
AN OPEN DOOR
Herr Muehlburg Speaks For Peace and Kaiser at
 Berlin
THE ARMY AND NAVY


 journalists to the number of forty ar rived here from Bremen and were re- ceived at the railroad station by Prince Hatzfeldt von Trachenberg and the other members of the reception con- mittee. The prince. in the name of the emperor, invited the visitors to re- view the garrison of Potsdam and take lunch at his majesty's new palace. They were entertained at a public ban quet here last night.
 Herr Muehlberg, undersecretary of state, who represented the government, during the course of his remarks said:
 If look over the foreign newspa- pers I come across nearly every day some version of curious tale that seems to find many able and jealous propagators in foreign papers, includ- ing good many English newspapers. l must confess that it is the tale that Germany is threatening or imperiling the peace of the world. The German army is viewed abroad with a sus- picious eye as war engine destined one day to be let loose and spread dis turbance and terror over the world.
 Gentlemen, it is true that Germany has great and gallant army of which we are justly proud. but can any body prove that this army since the tablishment of the empire has been misused? That we have frivolously risked the lives of our sons?"
 Regarding the German navy Herr Muehlberg remarked:
 T read statements, especially from your country, that we conceal our pro- gramme-cast veil over our ultimate aims. am at a loss to understand this. Our programme is open to the world. The terms of our naval law of 1900 cannot, be violated by the ex- ecutiye. It gives, definitely and clear ly, the programme of intended strength of our navy. When compared with that of the British navy there cannot be doubt left in the mind of an un- prejudiced observer that our navy is intended only for the protection of our shores and sea borne trade. We strive for nothing else. but for this we strive with all the rights of every great, progressive and honor loving nation.~
 Continuing. Herr Muehlberg alluded to the historic sufferings of Germany when her territory was the battle. ground of Europe and added:
 Nevertheless skeptical persons might reply that these powerful instruments of war are very dangerous, because some day they might induce Germany to make room for her rapidly increas. ing population. It certainly is true that our population Is increasing at the rate of S0o0O0 to 9oO.Oo0 a year. You are now In Germany. Please talk with our gentry in the east. They will complain of lack of laborers to culti- vate the fields. Go to our mines and factories in the west. and you will hear the same complaint There are not enough men to work them. Finally question our housekeepers in the towns, and they will tell you of the same scarcity of help. Twenty-Five years ago 100000 Germans emlgrated yearly. Since the beginning of the nineties the number of emigrants has not exceeded 30.O00 per year. This will prove to you that we do not need terri torial expansion; that there is room and work for every new German citi- zen on German soil.
 But gentlemen. do not wish to try to make ourselves out better than we are. We are not political ascetics. We need and strive for free and hon. est competition in the worlds markets everywhere. But. be it in Asia or Af- rica, we have only one aim, the open door. I believe that 1t Is just on this line of policy that we can meet and count upon your support. Wherever throughout the world England brings a country under her sphere of influence she has never prevented the develop ment of that country. as so many other nations have done to their own injury. l You have used your power and work l to open its sources of production. ad. l vance it's civilization and further It's progress. You did not exclude others ! from this work in the countries under | British influence. but allowed them to | go along with you. Here. believe. is ] the connecting bridge on which we can join in the coming work without preju- | dice to the alliances and friendships .