GERMAN ARMY

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 1 July 1913, Page 5

GERMAN ARMY

SOCIALISTS AiND CHANCELLOR. (Received June S), 11 a.m.) . . ' BERLIN, June 29. In the Reichstag, during the debate on the Defence Bill, Herr Soheidemann/ (Socialist) remarked: "Germany ig driving other States, into an armament competition," and added that the Socialists were inot convinced of the necessity for this. Herr Bethmann-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 thf Social Democracy ever allow itself tr be convinced?"—(Uuroar among th : Socialists.) " ' A Socialist amendment in the direction .oftaxing, princes was passed by 'a' narrow - ma* jority. ■ *'' 1 ' Herr Scheidemann said that if the Bill were dropped France would drop hers without twenty-four hours. He denounoed the inhuman eourt-raiar-tialling of seven Socialist reservists far during a drunken affray at Erfurt, insulting a gendarme. A policeman was, he urged, the sam£ as a civilian. Three of the men h&d been sentenced to five years' penal .servitude, two to five years' imprisonment, one to one year's, and another to seven months' imprisonment. Socialists, Radioais, National Liberals, and tho Centre insisted •'*n introducing a Bill to admit of the pleading of mitigating circumstances in such cases. • fleiteral win Heerinpen. Minister for War, said he was unable to promise that the Federal Governments would assent to such an alteration of the law. The discussion was adjourned.