Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-26
HERR BEBEL'S ATTACK
ARRAIGNs THE ELECTION METH.
DDS OF THE GOVERNMENT,

BERLIN, February 26-Herr Bebel, the
implacable socialist leader. took the trib-
une In the refchstag today, and for two
hours attacked the government and the
parties supporting 1t with the wit, argu-
ment, invectiye, sarcasm and all the other
resources Of the most powerful speaker in
German parliamentary life. and rising to
uncommon heights even for him. AS he
neared the end of his speech the diplo-
matte corps gathered to see the imperial
eagles torn to pieces verbally, while in the
women's gallery were the wives Of some
of the rich merchants and bankers OF Ber-
lin, who enjoyed the thrilling statements
Of the great socialist agitator Herr Bebel
devoted his remarks to details OF internal
politics during the recent elections, and
to the controversies which have arisen on
Talking Of the subject of the letters Of
Maj-Gen. Keim, managing director Of the
Naval League. relative to the imperial
chancellor. Prince Won Buelow, having sent
1900 to the headquarters of the league for
campaign purposes, Herr Bebel said:
Stolen Letters.
1.-THE imperial chancellor flew into a rage
over the stolen letters published by men,
bers Of the center party. Remember that it
was two conservatives who stole the CORE
spondence Of old Emperor William when he
was crown prince. Such Incidents often
happen in the intercourse between states.
why were the secret funds of the empire
recently increased from $125,OOO to $50, 900?
Only to employ spies? Gentlemen, when
these indicate transactions enter into pol
itlcs, especially foreign politics. cannot re-
fra1n from laughing at the indignation of
Prince Won Buelow. Had such letter been
stolen from the socialist party leaders it
would have caused him much pleasure"
Continuing. Herr Bebel said the recent
reichstag elections were simply an Of
fetal campaign without parallel since the
regime Of Napoleon III. Officers had
been detailed to make campaign speeches
and money had been handed over from
the imperial chancellory to the Naval
League for election purposes. Herr Be-
The Prussian ministry under Won Bue-
low Is the incarnation Of the stagnation
of culture"
The imperial chancellor. who had en-
tered the house while Herr Bebel was
speaking, rose as the latter ended his
speech and addressed the house.
AS for the money he was charged with
giving to the Naval League, the chancellor
said the origin of the sum mentioned and
the disposition made Of it were simple.
Several gentlemen at the beginning of the
campaign desired to invest money in pro-
noting what they rightly regarded as being
the national interests. His advice was
asked. and he had been pleased to be able
to transmit their contributions for legiti-
mate purposes.
Won Blelow Replies.
The chancellor spoke in warm terms of
the expression Of the national will at the
recent elections, Of the country being
aroused to the falsity and danger of the
socialist doctrines. and to the socialist ac-
tivities in undermining loyalty to the state.
loyalty to Christianity, belief in the purity
Of the home and acceptance of the true re-
lations between employe and employer.
To the accusation that the government
had used the powers Of the state for politi-
cal purposes, the chancellor retorted by re-
lating various incidents of intimidation OF
working people by socialists in the effort,
tyrannically and by force of class opinion.
to compel all workmen to vote for the So
cialist candidates.
The chancellor likened socialism to q dis
ease which deeply affected the political
body which was now happily throwing on
the disease and was we'll on the way to re-
covery.
At the conclusion Of his speech the chan
cellor was enthusiastically applauded, and
members of the federal council congratu-
lated him.