GERMANY.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 147, 22 June 1889, Page 2

GERMANY.

SCENE IN THE REICHSTAG.

A remarkable scene occurred in the Reichstag on May 18bh. The Workman's Insurance Bill was under consideration, and Bismarck was speaking in support of the measure, when Richter, the Liberal leader, uttered bhe word "Bosh!" White with rage, Bismarck turned towards the Liberal benches and asked, " Who is that impudent creature ? 1 know how to protect myself against personal insults." With that he vacated the Chamber amid great tumult. Dr. Bamberger, in a violent speech, denounced the insult offered to the Reichstag, and charged Bismarck with trying to strangle free speech. ROYAL VISITORS.. King Humbert, of Italy, the Prince of Naples, and Premier Crespi, arrived at Berlin on May 21st, and were met at the station by the Emperor, a retinue of Princes and Generals and Prince Bismarck. They were cordially welcomed by the Emperor, who embraced King Humbert and Crown Prince. The party were driven to the castle through decorated streets, the usual cheering occurred. The " London Times " correspondent says Berlin outdid herself in the reception of Humbert, and contrasbs it wibh the Czar's visit. On bhe 22nd, the King and Kaiser reviewed the troops. Ab luncheon the latter drank to the King and the unalterable friendship between Germany and Italy. Humbert replied in a similar strain, and said he regarded his visit as a grateful duty. The entire garrison ab Sbrasburg was to be reviewed on May 25th, and King Humbert to proceed homeward from that place. It is a significant facb that on the proposal of the Sbrasburg review, French 3 per cent, rentes fell 42J centimes. The contemplated review, "however, did not take place. The story prevalent is that King Humbert was deterred from going by a letter from Queen Marguerite. The affair created a great sensation, and all the Parisian papers alluded to ib in a caustic manner. Humbert visited the Dowager Empress Augusta at Frankfort on the 27th, and gave a reception to the Italian residents of the city. The village of Deuschmachen, near Sagau, Prussia, was completely destroyed by fire on May 28th. Not a house was left standing. THE PARISIAN EXPOSITION. Carnot opened the Universal Exposition on May 6th. Tirard, on behalf of the Ministry, delivered the address of welcome. The results so far, he said, were backward. The valuable co-operation of foreign countries added lustre to the Exhibition. Their products rivalled, if they did not surpass those of France, and would thus afford profitable study. Carnot said : The day completes a century of progress. We salute the world, and would give the friendly hand of peace and concord to all visitors, who will find a hospitable country and a city glad to receive them. France is worthy to be among the chosen nations. By indomitable energy she has raised herself above her trials, and inspired confidence by keeping faith in all her public engagements. I wish the guests of the nation welcome. A chorus of 2,000 sang the patriotic hymn, and the assemblage cheered. Salutes fired from the batteries in the Champs de Mars, were re-echoed by the great guns of the fortifications around Paris. The celebration was remarkably freft from accidents and disturbances. The Eiffel Tower Gardens were brilliantly illuminated, and during the nautical fetes on the Seine, the Tower itself from base bo pinnacle was a perfect bonfire of variouslycoloured Bengal lights. The Venetian fete extended from the Island of St. Louis, on the Seine, to Crenelle, with boats, barges and steam launches lighted with different colours, the bridges and the whole length of the quays dotted with lines of fire. There were three displays of fireworks, mosb gorgeous ; one ab bhe Point Neuf, one in the Tuilerie3 Garden, one on the island of Grenelle. The set piece was a design of bhe monument commemorating the famous year 1798. There were upwards of 100,000. gas burners in the Exhibition grounds. I

The torchlight procession of 15,000 mounted cuirassiers, foot-soldiers, military bands, 450 drums, and all the instrumental and choral societies of Paris started from the cascade of the Trocadero Palace, crossed the Jena Bridge, and entered the Exhibition Grounds by the central garden.

Thirty men detailed for the purpose from the .United States Marine Corps guard the American section of the Exhibition, by permission of the French Government. A correspondent of the New York "Tribune" says machinery palace is the largest ever bu_.. a-id the American contribution of labour saving-machines, occupies onethird tho entire space. America, however, is practically unrepresented by machinery appertaining to textiles, fur, leather, paper and stone.

Lord Lytton'.. absence from the opening ceremonies of the Exposition was the subject of discussion in the House of Commons on May 28th. Under Foreign Secretary Ferguson said it was the opinion of the Government that the country ought to have nothing to do with the celebration of a revolution regarding which political parties in France remained bitterly divided. Gladstone thought Lord Lytton should have been present at the opening. A memorial drawn up on the subject, and signed by 263 members of the House of Commons, expressing regret at the absence of Lord Lytton qn the occasion referred to, was forwarded to President Carnot.