The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-23
GERMAN EMIGRATION.
Interesting Debate in the Prussian
House of Deputies.
,PBEOH OF MINISTER GUTENBERG.
sepopulation of the Rural Districts Of Eastern
Prussia-How the Government Proposes
to Stop the Flow Of Subjects
Across the Atlantic.

BERLIN, Jan. %, 1873.
The question Of the excessive emigration from
Prussia to the United States is far from settled
indeed, we are only at the commencement OF i's
Actual consideration by politicians and statesmen
iere. An unfortunate side Of the whole discus
ZION Ia its tendency to develop and promote In the
Prnssian government feeling OF animoslty
towards America, the innocent cause OF this de-
population of Prussan provinces. the agents lot
me various Hamburg or Bremen steam or sailing
hin lines who for the sake OF their premium on
Sassage money, endeavor to induce the people to
migrate are considered in the light OF foreign
recruiting sergeants, sent over with the purpose
pf decoylng away from home ana country the
young Just liable to their military duty. This
feeling was evident in the debate on the question
geld in the House of Deputies on the cath inst
Enen Won Gottberg, OF the conservative party
jnterrogated the government with regard to the
emigration from the Eastern provinces OF Prussia.
He asked
|. Has the government statistical information
lsto the emigration from the Eastern provinces
Q. Does the government intend to introduce
special measures for the prevention OF this emgra-
lion en- m,asse which /, has assumed ass, alarming pro-
cessites OF the State and to agricultural develop
ment2
THE CAUSES OF EMIGRATION.
IN supporting his Interpolation Deputy Won
nave Of late become SO accustomed. The three
great causes Of emigration are, in Won Gottberg's
mind the endeavor OF the emgrant to improve his
material condition; second persuasion on the part
Unauthorized and unauthorized agents; third. the
persuasion OF relatives and friends who have gone
out before him. He thinks the two latter are
The principal causes, especially that the
emigration agents are guilty of deuding the emf
grant by describing his condition across the ocean
IN q deceptively brilliant light. For this crime,
verify, the German penal code provides for the de-
ceivers a penalty OF Imprisonment ranging from
one month to two years. Yet Won Gottberg is
good enough to admit that it is most difficult
matter to prove that the assertions of the said
agents are falsel He does not admit that the emil
grants are dissatisfied with things at home, that
they do not relish living under the feudal system
prevailing in the Eastern provinces that the taxes
are too high, and the military system oppressive.
He Is eminently feudal and conservative in his
notions. He starts out from the print.
tive idea that man belongs to the soil
IN which he was born that he
has duties binding him to serve his community,
ana Qf laborer) his master, even il he has
Already discharged his military duty to the State.
AS for the youth between the ages of seventeen
and twenty-five who are liable to military SERVICE
ne hopes that the military authorities will do their
duty in preventing the further escape Of EDELIN,
laents." He wishes the government to have
strict watch kept at the ports, and t9 a9w no one
to leave without his oficial pass, witnessing tns.
ne has fulfilled all his dYlgatonS towards the
State and to his native place. He wishes to have
all emigration agencies prohibited.
THE MINISTER OF THE INTERIOR
Count Gutenberg, answered Won Gottperg In
very temperate speech. AS to the first interroga-
lion he said that the statistics of emigration for
1872 were not yet completed, but would be ready
about the middle Of February. He then said: =
The question of emigration Is OF extraordinary
egnifcance and deeply affects the country The
Increase of the rural population was painfully felt
In all districts but the OF this decrease lie
TOO deep to be removed by mere police regulations.
HVery poOdD He then adduced the statistics
showing the emigration from the several provinces
I OF arg aS