Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-02-08
KAISER OPENS
THE REICHSTAC
GERMAN EMPEROR IN SPEECH TO
THRONE OUTLINES THRONES
POLICIES.

Berlin, Feb. 7.-Emperor William in
person, at noon today, opened the
reichstag, the thirteenth assembled
since the foundation. OF the German
empire. As is customary, instead of
going to the imperial parliament the
emperor called the members to the
palace, where he made his speech from
the throne in the great white hall. The
deputies present were for the most
part in uniform or court dress and the
scene was a brilliant one.
After greeting the members Of the
imperial parliament in the name Of the
governments Of the empires confed-
Grated states, the emperor affirmed
his desire to augment the welfare Of
all classes of the people of Germany
and maintain the strength and pres
tige of the nation.
He appealed to the new parliament
for It's loyal cooperation in its work and
then expressed the hope that by a
strict adherence to the financial policy
now in force the imperial finances
would soon be placed on thoroughly
sound basis.
The emperor then referred to the
new commercial treaties about to be en-
tered into between Germany and other
countries, and announced that the i'm
perial government in negotiating them
would adhere to the old basis Of it's
tariff policy, under which trade, in
dustry and agriculture has prospered
so we'll
Mild Tone On Armament Question
Then came the part Of the emperor's s
speech for which members Of the
reichstag were waiting with the ut
most eagerness-that part in which he
made references to the international
situation and to the expected increase
in the army and the navy. There was
partial appointment, however, as
the emperor merely announced the
measures in a general way and did
not give any details.
He said:
For the success of our work OF
peace at home and over seas, the en-
pire must remain powerful enough to
defend at all times it's national honor
and its possessions as well as its just
interests in the world 1t. is therefore
my constant duty and care to main
tain and strengthen, both on land and
on sea, the defensive power Of the Ger
man people, which does not lack young
men capable Of bearing arms Mea-
sures with this end in view are in prep
aration and will be submitted to you
together with proposals for covering
the additional costs. In helping this
important work you will be greatly
serving the fatherland.
''In concluding our agreement with
France we have given new proof of our
readiness to settle international diff
culties amicably whenever such a
course is compatible with the dignity
and interests Of Germany.
Side by side with the maintenance
Of our alliance with Austria Hungary
and Italy my policy has been steadily
directed toward the cultivation of
friendly relations with all the powers
on the basis Of mutual respect and
good will.
Trusting in the healthy force of the
German people and relying on God S
gracious assistance | look with con-
fidence beyond the struggles OF today
to the futures Of the empire.
81 greet you, gentlemen, at the OPEN
ing of the new session of the imperial
parliament in the hope that your work
will be of service to the nation and to
the people"