GERMANY.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 109, 1 November 1879, Page 2

GERMANY.

There were grand doings in Berlin on the occasion of the Emperor's Golden Wedding on June 11. The event did not lack dignity or imposing accessories, and was anticipated with deep interest by the Emperor William's subjects. Indeed, in all parts of Germany the rejoicings were loud and sincere. Bonfires were lighted on either bank of the Rhine for sixty miles, and the capital was decorated. A largo number of German kings and princes participated in the festivities. Tho ceremony in itself was touching and striking. Tho fact that a husband and wife had escaped the perils and vicissitudes of half a eoutitry must affect everyone. It was an event which called out all the genial sentiment which is never extinct iu any German bosom. The object of the German protective measures is becoming more and mure apparent. As the French artillery, after i:s complete reorganisation, exceed Ihn German by no fewer thin io~. u.i; f Tie . tire German will iia.' , .. ... . . by some 800 gmu>, ii imi :. ii. .'.. i::, us France

Uas 133 battalion uulroa iu exeessof what the German Government can dispose o;', a strong reinforcement of infantry, rifles, aud engineers, seems to be likewise contemplated. Preparations have also been made for adding a fourth Held battalion to each of the 0.-:i-!in ; I.iJ infantry regiments, thus inuiv ... ~- toe army by auol.iur 100.000 in lime of war. l! would Le diiliiui; t. over-estimate *•— uoiilical syciiiicanco of these measures. If mi military iiurileli weighed ue.i.i.v ..,'.. nie •niiitry during thj ,ast ten yi i,m, wn-ii i>m|| it s pi-ssiiui oec une lit. :• . iiiri.li r increase of tr->. Ps Uid vej the utmost Germany can dlijrd is lu keep pace with tho armanie.it-, of one of her formidable iiiMghbouis, when she iias to ivdcou with tlflv.; or I'o.ir. Minister Llofniaifn has laid before the Tariil' Commission a

-i.iii in ■•in us ti. the probable working Ui i m: new taritf law, from which it appt..:, thai, the incresed duties on am, :.\s hitherto taxed are expected to product) a minimum revenue of 51,503 marks, those on articles hitherto Customs free especially hair and iron, an additional return of 3,077,501 marks. It is not possible yet to calculate tho results of the agricultural duties. Count von Moltke, on a lengthy leave of absence, has left fur his estate of Oreifun, near Sohweidnitz, in Silesia. Field -Marshal Count Manteult'el is about to be proclaimed Governor of Alsace-Lorraine under the new law granting self-government to thoso provinces, it is worthy of note that Prince Uortschukoft' has passed through Berlin without stopping even to see Prince Bismarck. Tho circumstance is much commented upon, and is acccptod by many as affording confirmation to tho report current for somo timo to tho eifeot that an estrangement has takon place cither between the two Governments or else between tho two leading statesmen. Tho Chancellor's protectionist policy has led to tho resignation of Herr liobrccht, and other Ministers are expected to follow suit. It appoars that tho Ministerial party now consists of parties who, although but recently tho bittorcst enemies of German confederation, liavo given their support to the luiporinl polloy in tho hope of obtaining concessions for themselves. With l-elerence. to Or. Fuik, whose name is identified with I iu antiUltrAtnontono legislation, i, ..-., | i resign, strange to say, ori •■ frota an

incident not in the Catholic, hut in the Protestant Church of the kingdom. His Majesty having recently appointed a number of striotly orthodox members to the Supreme Consistory of the Prussian Protestant Church, Dr. Fait, who endeavoured to strengthen religion by not accentuating -\ogrna, finds his views too little consulted wish to I go on. His resignation, if it comes to pass, will be Highly gratifying to tho ITltramontanas, though it does not follow that it will profit them much. Au Miuisters to remain ill otlicc. Through Prince Bismark is ever ready to take up with fresh individuals if their co-opora-tion seems desirable, under the exigencies of the moment the Emperor and His Majesty's immediate surrouudings aro more Conservative.