THE GERMAN BUDGET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16338, 22 March 1915, Page 6

THE GERMAN BUDGET.

FUTURE DECLARED BRIGHT. ALL OBLIGATIONS WILL BE MET. A SOCIALIST'S SPEECH. GREAT EXCITEMENT. BERLIN, March 20. (Received Mar. 21, at 5.5 p.m.) There were wild scenes in the Reichstag on the second reading ol the Budget. Herr Ledebour, a Socialist, protested against the military trying to Ger« mauise portions of Europe, and said he was horrified to learn that the Germans intended to destroy three Russian villages for every German village burned. Herr Liebknecht interposed, and a general disturbance took place, with cries of "Treasonl" Herr Ledebour continued to state that this barbarianism struck the Poles and Lithuanians, whose co-operation they wanted. Members sprang from their seats excitedly, calling "Order!" and there were cries of " Shame I" Herr Delbruck said it would be unworthy of the present situation if he replied to the speech. Herr Bassermann argued that the reprisals were necessary to stop Russia's inhuman warfare. Herr Sheidmann explained, on behalf of the Socialists, that Herr Ledebour was invited to speak only on the language question. The remainder of his remarks were made on his own responsibility. Herr Delbruck declared that Herr Ledebour's criticism was unconstitutional, insulting, and directed against their most honoured army and leader. The war had set aside everything dividing them in time of peace. This duty was imperative to success, and afforded the enemy new proof of Germany's economic and moral invincibility. Other speakers, eulogising the navy, said that they hoped that the intensity of the submarine operations would continually be increased, and that the navy would go forward until victory was gained. Herr Nacken, reporting on the Estimates, said that the financial situation was as bright as at the beginning of the war. All their obligations would be fulfilled, however long the war lasted. Herr Helfferich said that the result of the loan was splendid. It totalled £369,000,000, greatly surpassing the success of the first loan. With both loans Germany was exceeding England by 4,000,000,000 to 5,000,000,000 marks, proving unspeakable economic and. financial strength and determination to hold ont to the end.