PRESIDENT KAEMPF: In accordance with an understanding between the representatives of the different parties in the Reichstag the submarine warfare will be excluded from this discussion until further decisions of the _Seniorenconvent_. (Committee composed of the Party Leaders to discuss the business of the Reichstag before it is discussed in open session. _S. Z._) The discussion of this question will take place in the meetings of the Budget Committee in the first days of next week. MEMBER DR. K. LIEBKNECHT (not belonging to any party in the Reichstag, questions the order of business): I consider it my duty to dispute the decision (laughter). This is a question which concerns most vitally the present public interests. Everything is done under cover and we are brought to discuss only accomplished facts. (Great commotion and shouts so that the following words of the speaker can't be understood very clearly.) Very soon it will be _Tirpitz redivivus_. The people have a right to hear the Parliament on this important question immediately. The people have a right to demand that nothing shall be hidden from them. PRESIDENT KAEMPF: Please make your remarks in a parliamentary fashion, and don't present general political considerations when you speak to the question of the order of business. DR. K. LIEBKNECHT: In the Prussian Assembly everything is done under cover. The same methods of concealing matters obtain as here. (Stormy interruptions and calls: "This does not belong to the discussion about the order of business.") I wish to protest against such a policy injurious to the people, against the continuation of secret diplomacy in Parliament. REICHSTAG MEETING, MARCH 23, 1916 Discussion of the Budget and taxation bill. Different persons spoke. Dr. Liebknecht asks to be recognized on the motion of closing the discussion. DR. LIEBKNECHT (speaks to the question): I am sorry that under this motion, which was directed in the first place against me, I will be unable to say that I certainly refuse all taxes to the Government of martial law, the government of _War ueber Alles_. (Excitement at the right side of the House.) PRESIDENT KAEMPF: I must ask you to confine yourself to this discussion of the order of business. MEMBER DR. LIEBKNECHT: I assert that even in the Prussian Assembly there exists more freedom of speech than in this House. (Laughter and excitement.) PRESIDENT KAEMPF: If you don't obey my orders I will be forced not to let you talk any further to the question. MEMBER DR. LIEBKNECHT: It is also made impossible for me to look into the dark chamber of our German war policies and military dictatorship. PRESIDENT KAEMPF: I can't give you the floor for this question any longer. LIEBKNECHT'S COMMENTS ON THE IMPERIAL CHANCELLOR'S SPEECH Reichstag Meeting, April 5, 1916