The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-10-04
THE CROPS OF EUROPE.
The Deficiency in France and Germany

Tho government is very properly occupied with the al
during the last three years that the high price OF
has imposed great sacrifices the country. In thi-
difficult position Of Affairs the government win not hail u
do its duty.
Let US examine the state of the question.
France produces annually 80 900 hecoltres Of
Let suppose that this years. harvest produced only
75OC00 eco There would be deficit OF 0o0o 600 becto-
Hires. Now, long these 1000 600 heeolitres
not replaced in France by foreign produce there are
human means for lowering the prices The great point
is, therefore TO import and rapidly possible
that quantity Of from abroad When received, II
must be sprea as possible every part OF
the empire and not be allowed leave it, This done
fall ia prices will be The natural result
Which, then, are the best means OF procuring these
1000 eco hectoiites Is il, is proposed by arti
fetal reduction Of pricesa Is it by forcing the holders
sell in certain manner in certain localities at certain
do not think lfby Fictitious the government
imprudent enough to lower the average price oi
grain BY causing corn TO be sold at lossit it should
think fit to take inquisitofia nea against the hold
ers those resolutions would lead 10 a result entirely the
contrary OF the deseda panic would seize upon all
corn hoders-it would disappear from the market-it
would be secreted rather than sold and purely artificial
fall of prices could not be maintained. Foreign corn
finding no advantage in our markets. would no longer
enter France and famine would be the inevitable re-
suit for IL impossible to impose forced price upon
provisions in general TO prevent it maintaining its
market price.
The famous law of the maximum," of sad memory, is
striking proof of the evil that may be produced by gno
in political economy. Confidence and freedom Of
trade are the nvarabe causes OF the prosperity Of
merce and, consequently, the causes Of abundance.
As regards premiums the importation OF into
France people imagine that the price Of corn would
fall to the fun amount of the PREMIUM A trial was
made in 1876 which did succeed In fact IL the gov
eminent were to offer premium for the importation
corn at the end of very short time foreign producers
and traders would increase their price to the full amount
Of the premium and the measure would only to
rich strangers TO the detment of French producers and
consumers.
What then to be done2 II is prescribed by the de
OF the Sth of September last throw open for
than year frontiers for all amentary articles from
foreign countries to prohibit expectation from France to
facilitate transport by railways and canals by rendering
less expensive so as to equaze as much possible the
price Of grain throughout the country TO encourage
cite and support purchases abroad; to allow the most
perfect freedom TO transactions acting at the time
with vgor against any cupable mannuvres having some
times for object the creation by coalition of artificial
RISES and to provoke public and private charity when
bread il dear Finally to foster home labor by every
possible means for handwork rendered songh
for and consequently dearer the workman will obtain
remunerating price, which would in
pcnsae for the high price of provisions. II be
ed the low price of these articles is not always sign
prosperity There are, for instance, countries where
for nothing and yet where the people in
deep misery because owing toa want Of industry aud
commercial activity, they cannot purchase in snf sient
quantity the first necessaries of life at the low price
at which they are sold.
II is moreover, ncontestable proof that an inc 10
of the price Of alone allows the deficit to be de
good for without doubt foreign producers and traders
would not bring to markets unless they could
upon reasonable profit and complete security in their
transactions.
This true that increase the price Of corn ha
at propitous moment, given the alarm to commerce.
IL originated new and important orders abroad; and
not only will the arrivals which will be the consequence
thereof have for result reduction OF prices but the
simple knowledge Of the fact will lead to the conclu
sion the French producers have been made
quairted with it.
Let the country therefore, be reassured the govern
ment is vgant, and especially occupied with the welfare
Of The most numerous class; ii will know how take
the time the most prudent and eicacious
and 10 resist all unreasonable demands with the strength
which the love OF what is gooi and the sentiment of duty
bestow.
from the London Times, Sept 22l
II ID not to be denied that in the midst of the triumph
ant the last few days the theatre of
the public exuation Is somewhat checked by symptoms
epressure the monetary and commercial relations Of
Western Europe, which remind that the sacrifices
not confined TO the precincts Of the camp the
ranks Of armies This pressure is moreover increa
by crcumtances which but indirectly connected with
the present state Of host tiles, though it Ia rendered
sensible Ivy the additional burdens thrown this
time on the public resources. There Is doubt aa IN
Trance and IN most Of he countries Of central and S0.
Europe, he late harceS has bea, Jeow ne average
and that in this country il fails short Of ne erroyyti-
nary and toamtut harrs IF 1854. The prices Of
and Of almost all the first necessities Of life are
therefore, very high, and higher in proportion in most
parts Of the continent than In this county In France
the failure OF the vine from disease which has infes
ed most wine growing countries for several years an
immense addition to the prevailing distress not only be-
cause it has raised the price of the ordinary of
wine TO an excessive height aud deprived the
people OF their habtua beverage but also because Ii has
exposed the peasantry of large of the
70 the loss Of their principal crop Under these circum
stances, considerable uneaness exists In parts of
France as to the Of providing adequate subsistence
for the people during the ensuing year. and is evident
that extraordinary efforts win he required OF he
government 10 enable the population TO pass through
period Of scarcity.
In this country the mechanism of the poor law adjusts
Itself to thee circumstances; the legal demand Of the
poor for relief is increased the poor rates rise till the adj
ditiona demand is supplied by increased taxation and
we have the certainty that the necessities Of the lower
classes Of society win be provided for at the expense of
the community But In France poor Law exists there
is no established legal provision for the relief Of distress
and these emergencies must be by the direct ntere
Of the State. As the wealth and population the
country increase il is probable that this state Of things
cannot last, and perhaps Of the institutions which
the imperial government may be led engraft upon the
present social condition of France Is regular and
liberal scale Of allowances to the poor.
The Mcniitur yesterday published an official article
which deserves attention from the frank acknowedg-
contains of the extreme Importance Of the SUB
ect and from the sound principles Of political econ ny
TO which II pays somewhat tardy homage About 10
years ago, upon the Of the deficient harvest
Of 1853 the French government adopted different sys-
tenn, and may be In the recollection OF some of our
readers that protested at that time with warn n
against the absudy Of condemuing the bakers of Paris
10 sell their bread az Fixed legal price which was ac
knowledged 20 be below the cost price Of the article
while the municipal funds of the city Of Paris were %
indemnify the bakers for this sacrifice
The plan was, however. tried and the citizens of Pals
continued eat cheap bread during period Of scarcity
nj the expense the corporation or rather at their own
expense since the loss had to be supplied by other
form Of taxation. We know not how long the experiment
lasted but happy 10 find that IL Il not 10 be re-
neved and the As,iep now lays down with authority
the principles for which contended on the FORMER o
eaon The public in France told that ali arti6ciai
attempts to lower the price Of corn, or TO establish
maximum OF value, can only be attended with absurd
and injurious results and that confidence in the freedom
OF exchanges Is the only basis Of commercial prosperity
and consequently Of abundance.
The deficiency in the wheat harvest OF Franct il est
mated AT about 600 COO hectores rather more than
600 coo quarters The question s. from what source
can this quantity Of grain be most conveniently supplied
but the Moafr Justly observes in order thai irein
supplies should be introduced into the country Il i ne
cessafy tina, the price should ie anil ROMAN high In
the north Of Europe the harvest has beon short and the
Il. ~ No. az.
south and cast Is obstructed by the war But the Amer
harvest has been splendid; unusually great
breadth Of land has been under wheat this year,
and the crops have been successfully rot In. The
available surplus oi wheat Is estimated at about