16 DECEMBER 1899, Page 2

This demand, Count von Billow continued, is not excep- tional.

The French Government cannot do enough to gratify the popular demand for a Navy ; "Russia has doubled the estimates for her fleets ; " " America and Japan are making enormous exertions ; " England " endeavours without ceasing to make her gigantic Fleet still greater;" and Germany must not be left behind. She will not be " the menial of the nations." "Eavy plays as great a part in the life of States as of individuals," and as Germany is envied she must, as a world-wide Power, be strong at sea. The speech will have a profound effe.a upon the national pride of all Germans, and na.iy, if the Catholic Centre forces a Dissolution, give the Emperor a great popular victory. The vote of the Centre is not yet quite certain, but their leader, Dr. Lieber, is bulls- Kings very rarely share in the popular hatred of Jews. posed to sanction great loans and annoyed at the direct They fail to see. in fact, why a section of their subjects, wise intervention of the Emperor in the discussion. He spoke are very industrious, quite submissive to the laws, and very

so strongly on this point that the Chancellor, Prince Hohenlohe, rose to protest, but the President decided that Dr. Lieber was entirely in order. The pledge to raise the money by loan will decidedly decrease the popular reluct- ance to engage in such vast expenditure.