THE ALSACE TROUBLE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 82, 6 December 1913, Page 6

THE ALSACE TROUBLE.

CHANCELLOR ON THE POSITION.

TEMPESTUOUS SITTING.

[Bt Electric Telegraph—Copyright J [United- Press Association.]

Berlin, December 4

The Bitting in which the Zabern troubles were discussed was one of the most tempestuous ever seen in the Reichstag. The Government's declarations are regarded as proof that the Kaiser "lias identified himself with the military,~ instead of the civilian view. PROTEST AND ANGER. The Chancellor (Herr von Beth-m«nn-H'oll'weg), in resuming the debate, spoke in a tone of protest and anger not heard from him since the Morocco debate. Fully one-half of the Reichstag, was seething with indignation against the Government. The Chancellor, who was frequently compelled to-pause until the presidential bell.quieted'interrupters, passionately appealed to the people of Alsace to co-operate in the restoration of good feeling. R issE&T. fd fi THE LAW. He said ! the Kaiser desired the civil end military authorities' to co-oper-ate in full respect for the law. The moment was serious, not because of the censure which would possibly be carried, but because, owing to the general condition of excitement, a dangVotiS cleft was forming between the army and the people. , EXCESSES DISAPPROVED. Herr von Bethmann-Hollweg declared that the Kaiser vigorously disapproved- of the military authorities' •xcesses at Zabern, and has rigidly ordered" officers, not to sow dissension between the army and the people. The Chancellor said he fully recognised the eaeredhess of civil law, and those irho had exceeded it would be made to\snfferi A. DECIDED CENSURE. The Reichstag, by 293 votes to 51, carried* the Radical motion, expressing dissatisfaction- with- the Chancellor's statement. The Socialists,, the Radicals and the Centre Party were united on the question.

CONFERENCE WITH THE KAISER

The Chancellor, with the Statthalter of Alsace, and the commander of the Alsace troops, have been summoned to Donaueschingen to confer with the Kaiser on the situation, and dlteo the developments in the Reichstag. JOURNALIST ARRESTED. A Daily Mirror representative was arrested at Zabern for attempting to photograph an officer, but was released within a quarter of an hour. THE CHANCELLOR'S POSITION. Berlin, December 5. The Reichstag is less excited than it was on Wednesday, recognising the Chancellor's desire to remove the impression caused by his War Minister's maladroit speeches. The Chancellor indignantly denies that he. is capitulating to the Emperor's "military cabinet," which did not exist. He was constantly interrupted and ho finished amid hisses.

The Socal Democrats, the Radicals and the National Liberals supportec the vote of censure. Only the Prus sian Conservatives voted for the Go vernment.

The efforts to assimilate Alsace, which was gained 1 by Germany from France in the Franco-Prussian war of 1870-71, have oscillated between severity and kindness. Latterly, under the present Statthalter, Count Wedel, kindness has predominated. Count Wedel co-operated with the Chancellor, Herr von Bethmann-Hoilweg, in framing the constitution. The present crisis commenced through Lieutenant von Foerstner, on the parade ground, in the presence of Alsatian recruits, describing Alsations as "wackes," and offering his men ten shillings fo revcvy Alsatian vagabond they stabbed. When the public demanded the punishment of von Foerstner, the military authorities merely arrested the 30 recruits for divulging what had happened. The recruits are now awaiting courtmartial. The general commanding the forces in Alsaco is General von Deimling, who aroused an uproar in the Reichstag a few years ago by declaring that as an officer he did not care what the

members thought or did. At present the Reichstag is irritated because Herr von Bethmann-Holhveg never quoted Count Wedel's reports in the Reichstag, but always voii Deimling's. The Kaiser has now sunfmoned Count Wedel and General von Deimling. The size of the hostile majority in the Reichstag has made a deep impression on the public. It is reported that the Chancellor's resignation depends on whether the Kaiser decides in favor of Count Wedel. If the Statthalter resigns, Herr von HethiunnnHollweg will go also. If the Kaiser decides that both the civil and military authorities were equally at fault, the Chancellor will remain in office.

In most countries such an overwhelming vote of censure as was carried in the Reichstag would necessitate the resignation of the /vlin-stry, but in Germany the Chancellor and Ministry remain in power so long as the Kaiser considers them the persons best fiteted to carry out his policy.