Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-26
PRUSSlAN DIET MET
BIG INCREASE IN NATIONAL
BUDGET THIS YEAR.

BERLIN, November 26.-The Prussian
diet opened today in the White Hall of thu
Palace. Prince Won Buelow. the imperial
chancellor. in the emperor's absence. read
the speech from the throne. It stated
that the growth of permanent expendi-
lures had increased the budget by over
$25. ZOO, 900
The chancellor said that deficit is ex-
pected In the current year, owing to the
increased expenses in the railroad ad-
minlstration, and that the government
would have to resort to a loan for ex-
tending the railroad system. building new
roads. double-tracking of old lines and
for additional rolling stock
The speech foreshadows a bill author
izine the government to acquire Polish
estates by condemnation proceedings I'M
Nder the law of eminent domain. This
measure, which was actively discussed
some months ago, is expected to reopen
the agitation over the Polish question in
an acute form The governments project
has been criticised by even the leading
conservative organs. The speech from
the throne expresses the government
conviction that both houses Of the diet
will give active cooperation In the set
Ting of this grave national question"
May Condemn Land.
The diet assembled later In the state
house. In introducing the Polish BILL
Prince Won Buelow said the government
could not discontinue its previous policy
of buying lands in the Polish provinces
and settling German peasants on them, as
50 to do would be counter to the wishes
OF the great mass of the German people.
ihe chancellor said that the speculation
IN land by Poles had caused artifcially
nigh prices, and that consequently the
R0VGrnmanf NIL ton ho1
not been able to buy In the open market
the land necessary for the continuance of
It's policy. 1t, therefore, had become nee
essary to give the government the right
70 oispossess the Poles by legal process.
Some of the Polish members, at this
3uncture, declared that such a course was
unheard OF. To this the chancellor re-
pied that the idea was in no sense new
II the state has the right to appropriate
tinued the chancellor. why could it not
claim this same right for a much higher
national purpose? The late Prince Won
Bismarck took this view The end de-
sired cannot be obtained through milder
law.
Aroused the Polet.
In executing the new law all harsh
measures will be avoided. The crowding
out policy is practiced not by the Ger
mans, but by the Poles themselves II
the settlement movement should be aban-
doned at a moment when success is In
sight. the state would be neglecting a
duty of self-preservation. The Prussian
state always has had a disappointing ex-
pertence whenever it made concessions to
the national aspirations of the Poles. The
government is only continuing the policy
of Frederick the rGeat, who, after the
acquisition of the Polish provinces, bought
lands and settled Germans on the acquired
territory. Once the Germans obtain the
upper hand in the eastern provinces mild
er measures may be put into operation.
but this outcome is still a long way off,
and until then the government, in the
matter Of Polish lands. viii take no back
ward STEP"
AT the conclusion Of his remarks. the
chancellor was greeted with loud ap-
plause, mingled with kissing from the
Poles.
Huge Purchase Sum.
The Polish bill provides for a credit of
$s7, 100000 to continue the purchase of
land in the Polish provinces and the set
Ting Of Germans thereon. This amount
includes $12,500,O00 to meet the expenses
OF the plan to appropriate from Polish
owners. An equal sum already has been
expended by the settlement commission
since it began operations in 1855.