GERMAN ARMY BILL.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1790, 1 July 1913, Page 5

GERMAN ARMY BILL.

CHANCELLOR AND SOCIALISTS.

TAXATION OP FEDERAL STATE PRINCES.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Berlin, June 29. In the Reiolistag:, during the debate on the Defence Bill, Heir Scheidemann (Socialist) remarked that, Germany was "driving other States into an armament competition." The Socialists, he added, weito not convinced of the necessity for this. Herr Betlimann-Hollweg, the Chancellor, turning'to the Socialists, said: "You have accused me of not having done my duty in convincing you of the necessity for the Bill. Will the Social Democracy ever allow itself to be convinced?" (Uproar among the Socialists.) A Socialist amendment in the direction of taxing the Federal States' princes -was passed by a narrow majority. Herr that if the Bill were dropped, Franco would drop hers within twenty-four hours. He denounced the inhuman oourt-maTtialling of seven Socialist reservists for insulting a gendarme during a drunken affray at Erfurt. A policeman was, he urged, tho samo as a civilian. Three of the men had been sentenced to five years' penal servitude, two to five years' imprisonment, one to one year's, and another to seven months' imprisonment. The Socialists, Radicals,. National Liberals, and the Centre insisted on introducing a Bill to admit of tho pleading Df mitigating circumstances in such cases. General von Heeringen, Minister for SVar, said ho was unable to promise that :he Federal Government would assent to such au alteration of the law. | The disoussion was adjourned, THE BURDEN OF ARMAMENTS. 3RITAIN "CANNOT LAG BEB2ND." i London, June 29. Sir Itufus Isaacs, Attorney-General, ipeaking at Newcastle, said that Britain lover stood so high in. the councils of 3urope, or held a more predominant ibsition than at present. Everry Liberal ■egretted the increasing expenditure on irmaments, "but, despite all efforts to :eoiire a reduction, we aro in this posiion, that if others go forward, wo canlot lag behind." . The Government claimid some credit for the fact that hitherto :hoy had been able to defend the Empire >y voluntary servioe.