HAVE A BIG PROGRAM

(Copyrighted, 1895, by the Associated Press.)

BERLIN, April 20. The wheel of parliamentary politics will resume active work on Tuesday next, when the Reichstag reassembles with a big program before it, including amendments to and changes in the tariff law, the socialist bill defining and enlarging the rights of association and coalition, and plenary discussion of the anti-revolution bill. The measure last alluded to is the bugbear of the liberals, radicals and socialists, and has been rendered even more stringent in committee at the instance of the members of the center party, who are angling for the repeal of the anti-Jesuit laws. The clerical proposals, however, in some respects out-Herod Herod, and the government hesitates to accept them, fearing to overstep the mark and further intensify popular resentment. The national liberals, who at first favored the bill, are now disgusted with the reactionary character it is assuming, and have deserted to the side of its opponents. Thus its adoption depends entirely upon the support of the center party, the members of which demand that the bill be passed as they shaped it or not at all. The conservatives, on the other hand, declare they will not consent to place German Protestantism under the heel of its hereditary enemies.

The government is thus in a dilemma, for if it refuses the demands of the center party the anti-revolution bill is certain to be rejected, while if it consents to the demands of the centrists the government will alienate its conservative supporters. As a solution of the situation, those who fear both clerical reaction and socialist encroachments appeal to the emperor to personally intervene, as he did in the case of the withdrawal of the Zedlitz education bill in 1892 and bring about the withdrawal of the anti-revolution bill. Such interposition, however, would be unconstitutional, as in the case of an imperial measure the Bundesrath alone has this power.

SUPPORT ENGLAND'S POSITION.

The dispute between Great Britain and Nicaragua is being watched here and the opinion of those competent to pronounce an opinion upon the matter is decidedly against allowing Nicaragua to get off too cheaply. Moreover, the idea of intervention upon the part of the United States is not received here with enthusiasm.

The Vossische Zeitung, commenting on the situation, says: "England represents not only British but European interests. The Central American republics have been guilty of repeated acts of lawlessness against foreigners and they deserve to be taught a salutary lesson. If the United States claim to extend the application of the Monroe doctrine to these unruly neighbors, they must also undertake to bear the responsibility of the fulfillment of their international obligations."

The treaty of peace between Japan and China is favorably criticized in leading political circles, and the sending of two additional German warships to the far east is generally approved. The Kreuz Zeitung, referring to the dispatch of the two warships to reinforce the German squadron in Chinese waters, says: "Let us salute this measure as the beginning of a radical change in our transoceanic politics."

The Vossische Zeitung declares that "Germany's place, while observing strict neutrality, must be on the side of Japan."

The North German Gazette this afternoon asserts there is no grounds for the fears expressed in some quarters that Germany would intimate her intention not to interfere in the settlement of the terms of peace arrived at between China and Japan, even before the powers have announced their views on the matter. "On the contrary," the North German Gazette remarks, "the government is fully alive to the grave danger which might arise for Europe, politically and commercially, as a consequence of the new order of things in eastern Asia. Germany's interests are so important there that the government would be guilty of serious neglect if it were not firmly determined to push our claims to the fullest extent."

STANDARD COMBINE NOT COMPLETE.

The Hamburgerisch Borsenhalle today declares that, contrary to published statements, no working arrangement has yet been arrived at between the Standard Oil company and the Russian oil interests. It is added, however, that negotiations are proceeding and the proposed agreement is now before the Russian minister of finance for examination. His decision will not be given before the end of the month.

Great interest is evinced in imperial circles in the courts of the kingdoms of Germany in the quarrel which has arisen in regard to the succession in the petty principality of Lippe, which has followed the death of Prince Waldemar of Lippe, who died at Detmold on March 20. The prince, it will be remembered, made provision in his will that Prince Adolphe of Schaumburg-Lippe, brother-in-law of Emperor William, should act as regent during the minority of the son of Prince Adolphe, who was eventually to succeed Prince Waldemar. The dispute is between the candidates to the throne, Prince Adolphe of Schaumburg-Lippe and the counts of Biesterfeld-Lippe, and it has become quite a serious matter. In fact, more bitterness could not be displayed if empires were at stake. Prince Adolphe, who is in possession, is disposed to ride roughshod over his contestants, and simply ignored them in the arrangements for the funeral of Prince Waldemar. When Count Ernest of Biesterfeld-Lippe sent two cavaliers with a letter of condolence to the widow the gentlemen were not received and the letter was returned unopened. The next affront was shown to the Biesterfelds at the funeral.

SNUBBED AT THE FUNERAL.

Count Ernest sent his son and brother to represent him and they had the right to walk in the cortege immediately behind the representatives of the emperor. But at the last moment the court marshal of the prince of Schaumburg-Lippe attempted to place them further back. They, however, insisted upon retaining their proper places, whereupon they were not admitted to the hall where the members of the Lippe family assembled before the funeral and they had to stand outside. The members of the Diet of Lippe were so indignant at this treatment that they asked the counts to walk to the chapel at their head. Only the self-restraint of the Biesterfelds prevented a scandal by the open coffin.

It is further asserted that when the counts wished to pay a visit of condolence to the widow of Prince Waldemar they were left waiting in the courtyard until a lackey came to inform them that the princess would not receive them. The lackey, however, coolly intimated that the lady in waiting of the princess would do so. The Biesterfelds declined this gracious offer. The sympathy of the population of Lippe, numbering about 128,000, who regard the matter quite tragically, is on the side of the Biesterfelds. The emperor, in response to an appeal on the subject, has ordered that genealogists investigate the rival claims. In the meanwhile the seriocomic fight is followed with a great deal of interest.

ADVISED JAPAN TO BE LENIENT.

The Cologne Gazette this evening says that in view of the pressure being exercised at that time by the war party in Japan, Germany at the beginning of March enjoined the Japanese government to be moderate in the terms demanded for peace, urging that the cession of territory upon the mainland of China would be especially calculated to induce the intervention of the powers. Continuing, the Gazette says that when it was shown by the published terms of peace that Japan was not disposed to follow Germany's advice, steps were immediately taken to establish an accord with the powers, and a complete agreement has been reached with Russia and France. The three powers, Germany, Russia and France, according to the Cologne Gazette, will now take steps to protect their interests in eastern Asia. The question of territorial changes will be first kept in view, against Japan's desire to bind herself like a solid girdle around China in order to be able to shut off China entirely from Europe. In case of need, it is also stated, the three powers mentioned intend to avert in good time any injury to their interests. It is added, however, that Germany [...] her military prowess on condition that German interests are not injured.