Military law is of great importance in Germany, as in
every country with a conscription, and the Prussians have of late years greatly desired two particular reforms. These are pub- licity in the proceedings of military Courts, as is already the custom in Bavaria, and the taking of evidence vied voce. A large number of the highest Generale and officials are in favour of this change, and it has been embodied in a Bill drawn up by the Prussian Ministry of State, and passed by both Houses of the Imperial Diet. It is said, however, that the Emperor-King will refuse to sign the Bill, and that several Ministers, in particular the Prussian Minister of War, General Bronsart von Sohellendorf, will in consequence resign. Prussian Ministers seldom resign, and the Emperor has always claimed the right to use his veto as a personal prerogative; but it seems clear that on this occasion he is acting against a large body of strictly Conservative opinion. The motive of resistance appears to be fear of the effect of public criticism upon military discipline; but no ill-conse- quences from this cause have appeared in Bavaria. So deter- mined is the Emperor upon the subject, that the able head of the military legal department, General von Spitz, has, it is believed, been placed on the retired list in consequence of his advocacy of the reform.
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