ARMS AND THE PUBLIC.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1924, 5 December 1913, Page 7

ARMS AND THE PUBLIC.

THE ZABERN AFFAIR.

HEATED DISCUSSION IN THE

REICHSTAG,

SOLDIERS NOT TO BE INSULTED.

By TelcßWiph-Prcss Association-Copyright

Lcraion, Urconiber 3. The Chancellor (Her Von Nclhmanii liollweg), speaking in the Reichstag, in reply in questions, said liiat Lieutenant Vou Vcorstiicr was punished for using t.io word "wackes," which was regarded as an insult to the 'French Foreign Legion. The army had- been forbidden to use the word as a nickname for Alsatians, but the hiter'must not be oversensitive.

After describine; the insults to which llio offers were daily subjected by hooting crowds, and the efforts to reconcile, the cull and military authorities at Zaborii, lien- Holhveg declared, amid stormy interruptions, that respect for the forces of the State mast bo maintamed equally with respect for the. law.

THE ARMY'S HONOUR. (Rec. December 4, 10.50 p.m.) Berlin, December 'I. /rise Government's reply to interpellations aroused indignant interruptions. Hcrr Von Ilathmaim Hollweg said that it was the Array's duty to guard the honour of its uniform, and it was solely the consciousness of this duty that had led tho military authorities at Zabern to intervene. rinrr Von Hecringen (Minister for War) said tiiat had the authorities yielded in regard to Von I'oerstner, peace might have been restored, but it would have been a treacherous peace. Amid tumultuous protests, the speaker continued that tho necessity for maintaining tho Army's regard for its honour, which was tho only thing of moment in danger, enabled the soldier to cheese between de.-.th end disgrace. Young officers must bo protected, oven if youthful exuberance went too far. Hcrr Fo'hcrcnbaeh, spokesman for the Centre party, said that the explanations of the Government had aroused a feeling of shame and bitter pain. Public, indignation regarding tho Zabcrn incidents was universal in Germany. Hcrr Von Hceriugen intervened and said: It is belter that the officer should have been escorted by soldiers, and to have arrested his molesters, than that he should have plunged his sword into his iusultor's body. The Socialists "have proposed a vote of censure upon tho Government.- This will bo debated to-day.