Reichstag Uproar.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 9 May 1910, Page 4

Reichstag Uproar.

CHALLENGE TO A DUEL FROM

THE ROSTRUM

Herr von Oldenburg, the Conservative nobleman who recently scandalised the Reichstag toy his suggeation that the Kaiser should be empowered to order a lieutenant and ten men to shut Parliament at any moment, was the causo of another tumult on March 2-ltJi.

A lew weeks ago Herr von Oldenburg ruffled tlio feelings of Bavaria by referring to a battle in which Bavarian troops were once beaton by Prussians.. Three members of the Reichstag rose on March 24th to support a. tactful rejoinder which (the Bavarian "War Minister made to Herr von Oldenburg's tactless reminiscence. Thereupon Herr von Oldenburg mounted the tribune and shouted, "It is beneath my dignity to notice tho utterances of the members who luve just spoken, because in personal matters tliey are devoid of anything approaching honour." Tho House was thrown into an uproar. Liberals, Radicals, and Socialists joined in shouting, " Out with tho fellow!" "An infernal shame I" and "Call him to order!" The Speaker sought to dispose of tho incident by declaringg the utterance improper, bu/fc this did not satisfy the House, which noisily clamoured for a formal call to order, which was eventually pronounced. Toward the close of the sitting the Radical leader, Herr • Wienier, demanded to know if the Conservatives approved of Herr von Oldeniburg's conduct. They retorted that they did not approve of his language, but thought that he had had adequate provocation. This caused another commotion, at the height of which Herr von Oldenburg himself advanced to the tribune shaking with rage. "Insolence must be m'ot with insolence!" lie shouted. " Moreover, I am ready to meet Haussmnnn, Mueller, Meiningon, and Noske (deputies who had provoked him) anywhere and at any itime."

On behalf of his colleague. Herr Noske, Herr Bebol, the Socialist leader, rose and said tlnat the former would not take nnv notice of Herr von Oldenburg's challenge. It was the first time an invitation to a. duel had ever been .made ill the Reich sitae;. Amid intense excitement, the House adjourned tall April 12th.