New-York tribune., 1910-11-27
ARGUE KA|SER'S SPEECH
Reichstag Discusses "Divine
Right of King" Utterance.
LEDEBOUR RAPS EMPEROR
Chancellor Says Prussian State
Does Not Know the Idea of
Sovereignty of People.

NAdACeuOI Gays RUSSIAN Otdtc
Does Not Know the Idea of
Sovereignty of People.
Berlin. Nov. 26.-The Reichstag was
occupied to-day with a discussion of the
speech made by Emperor William at
provincial dinner at Koenigsberg on Au-
gust 26. during his tour Of Eastern Ger
many. The varied and conflicting senti-
ances intimating a continued belief In
the divine right of kings had full play
The debate, in which Chancellor Won
Bethmann-HOlweg and the leaders OF
tall parties. the Republicans, Socialists,
NOnarchfsts. Moderates and Conserva-
t.ves took part. was bitter throughout.
In his koenigsberg speech the En-
peror, after saying that his grandfather
hal seen in himself the chosen instru-
ment of Heaven, and so proclaimed that
the Prussian crown was bestowed on
him by Gods grace alone, intimated
that the convictions Of Emperor WIN
lam / and his own were identical. ard
added:
Considering myself as the instrument
of the Master. regardless OF passing
views and opinions. / go my way. which
is solely devoted to the prosperity and
peaceful development OF our fatherland-'
House Meets Early.
| In anticipation of a prolonged discus
sion the House met two hours earlier
than usual. Few OF the members were
absent and the galleries were crowded
Many ministers and other high officials
ments occupied seats or stood on the
platforms reserved for them at the right
and left of the President.
Herr Ledebour. one of the most gifted
i lieUtenants of BebeI the Socialist leader.
supported the Socialist Interpolation in
quiring what the Chancellor thought of
the Emperor having departed from his
declarations made in November. 1908,
through DR.. Won Bethmann-H -Hollweg
concerning his majesty's position in the
State. Following the Emperor's famous
interview two years go his majesty ap-
proved a statement in the Reichstag by
| the Chancellor. who expressed ''the rev
erential wish that greater reserve be dis
played in future in making such utter
ances."
Herr Ledebour said that there was no
objection to the Emperor speaking as
much as he chose on all possible sub
| jects which his majesty thought he un-
I % h
continued. ''ploughs so thoroughly the
soil wherein social democratic seed is tC
be sown as Emperor William II"
HohenzoIern Family Ridicusd.
1t was, however, unfair, the speaker
said. that those undertaking TO reply tc
the Emperor should be prosecuted on the
charge of insulting his majesty. He de-
manded that the Emperor should not in
terfere in the affairs of the State con
trary to the provisions OF the constitu-
| ton. Herr Ledebour discussed at length
the constitutional position of the kins
Of Prussia toward the German empire
and spoke mOckingly of the HohenzoI-
lern family cult deriving its powers from
the Most High. He said in closing
''Elector Brandenburg obtained the
Prussian crown from the Roman EN-
peror through begging and whining ant
by all means of intrigue at the court Of
| Vienna"
In the course of his speech LedebouI
also declared that the King Emperor
cannot attempt 10 rule against the opin-
ion of the people. If he does. his posi-
ton becomes untenable. Either he must
! put aside his personal opinion or the
| nlonarchicaI system will be eliminated
The speaker affirmed that Germany
must be ruled by democratic parIia
mentary system.
The Chancellor Replies.
Replying. Chancellor Won Bethmann-
Hollweg defended the Emperor and as
serted that the Socialist interpellati tior
was inspired by Republican sentiments
rather than by anxiety for the integrity
OF the State. Herr Ledebour's remarks
make it clear" he said. that he and his
party are not moved to interpellate by
their care for the commonwealth but by
a passionate hostility TO the constitu-
ton He confesses that he and his party
favor a republic
rs that something new" Iedebour in
/ terrupted.
No" responded the Chancellor. this
! is nothing new. You have always sup
ported that principle, but you have not
proclaimed your aim so publicly as to-
day"
The Chancellor denied that the Koe-
nigsburg speech constituted breach OF
any promise that his ma jesty had made
in 1905, saying that when he used the
expression by the grace of God" the
Emperor was fully conscious OF his
rights and duties.
I Describing the growth OF the state,
| Chancellor Won Bethmann- Hollweg said
| that the kings OF Prussia in century
| long development had grown into an in
innate connection with the people
This development" he continued
was not on the theory that the people
gave themselves the monarchy. but
throughout the unequalled labor OF the
great rulers the House of HohenzoIlern
was assisted by a tenacious and eff
cient population.
Thus arose the Prussian state which
does not know the idea OF a sovereignty
/ mil