New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-09-17
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
rr1n uANsEArIc LEAGUE.

sorv Includes thanks to Miss Zimmern the first
chronicle in English of the once famous but now
almost forgotten Hanscatic League 1t is an in
teresting and pregnant narrative, for not only
does it place before the reader graphic account
OF the development, rule and decline of unique
commercial federation, but IL illustrates the ten
denotes which appear TO be inseparable from all
monopoliStic enterprises, and which invariably
bring about their ruin in due course. The name
Hansa" is an ,old German word signlfying union
or league The term IIanseatc League is there
fore theological, and the title chosen by MISS
Zimmern is more correct The Hensa Towns
means or did mean, the leagued towns. Their
union was due to the anarchy and insecurity of
the middle ages. The precise date of the con-
federation is unknown, but toward the close of
the thirteenth century it was so far beyond the
experimental stage as TO warrant the adoption
of q kind of constitution and code, which con-
finued TO form the basis of the Hansa administra
ton during the greater part of the ensuing two
centuries The objects Of the League were pr-
rnariy TO facilitate trade to immunity from
the dangers which then beset all forms Of trans
portation and, finally, to establish a monopoly OF
the Baltic trade.
The earliest traders were pirates, and for cent
uries the merchant combined these occupations,
nor when ne gradually abandoned the latter, dld
lie cease to carry. and when need was, TO use, the
sword. At period when the good old rule pre-
vailed, that he should take who had the power,
and he should keep who could, it was perfectly
natural that the first recourse of all men should
be TO physical force. The Hansa towns, three IN
number at the beginning. but later embracing
sixty or seventy. by degrees won security by max
ing their military and naval power feared. Ger
many being in that chronic state of confusion and
IL Of
Emperors TO maintain the traditions of the Holy
Roman Empire involved, the time OpportUne
FOR the evolution of the Hansa. Always pretend
ing devotion and submission to the Emperor, the
crafty traders established "a really independent
mower above the control of Kaiser or Pope, and
able to dictate its own terms TO the Scandinavian
Kingdoms, upon whose fisheries it laid a heavy
hand. The herring was the true basis of the
Kansas prosperity. When all the world was
Catholic and Roman. and the feasts of the Church
were rigdy observed, the demand for fish. both
fresh and sailed, was enormous. Hamburg owed
its original prosperity TO the herring, which
changed it from poor hamlet to a rich city, The
Baltic fisheries were therefore great prize, fit TO
be intrigued and fought for, and the Hansa played
its cards so we'll that it held the monopoly of them
against all corners for many generations, and, in
fact. until the migration of the herring changed
the situation and the spread Of the Reformation
doctrines lessened the demand for fish.
3Gndually the ambition Of the Hansa pushed its
tentaclcs further 1t extended to NovgorOd, in
Russia. where also it established q monopoly Of
commerce. 1t had from an early period secured
firm footing in England, where, before the or
ganization Of the League, German merchants had
been in good standing for generations The
PlantagenetS found il convenient TO borrow from
the Banseatc traders. and accorded them special
To 41,o nj in, no
came the Hansa factory or colony. and the League
exercised those rights which were TO arouse the
righteous jealousy and dissatisfaction of the mer
camille classes in England. Through the great
influence of their organization the Hansa obtained
everywhere such particular exemptions and prvi-
geges as to put them, though foreigners completely
nbove the native merchants in advantage and
facility Of traffic. They built large factories
Wherever they planted a business colony, and they
carefully confined their agents and helpers to this
territory, compelling them to a life of mOnastic
severity and isolation. lest, by mixing with the
people of the country. they might betray the
secrets Of the League or Law themselves open to be
overreached in trading This system worked we'll
enough during the early and ruder period of the
Leagues existence, but when the merchants began
10 grow rich they Tebelled against the austerity
OF the factory regulations and in the pursuit of
pleasure and freedom of movement lent an i'm
petus TO the disunion tendencies which were to
destroy the Hansa eventually.
y In the zenith of its power the Hanseatic League
played an important part in the affairs of Europe
Through its command of capital and its control
of the markets it enabled TO impose condi-
atoms upon the great Powers. Resistance to its
policy was met either by open defiance or by an
organized boycott directed against the offending
state or country. Napoleon's continental plan
was at time carried ont with a 1.-THE of the
fidelity or completeness which characterized the
operations of the League, and no government
felt itself strong enough to try conclusions with
Power which could shut of the supplies so
eTectually But as the Hansa grew in prestige
andswealtli il began TO abuse It's opportunities,
and thus TO accumulate hatred and enmitics
Like all mOnopolies, it became tyrannical 1t
was not enough that it should control the bulk
OF the worlds commerce; it would destroy all
who dared to seek a share Of the spoils. It's
fatal defect however, was Its want Of adapt
ability. Times changed, but the Hansa would
not II had been q potent instrument Of civil
ization itself, yet it could not realize that the
changes it had helped to introduce necessitatcd
new methods of business. Disasters fell upon
it, Ivan the Terrible broke up its colony at
-Novgorod. The Baltic herring fishery failed
The spirit of sellshness Slapped its loyalty
10 the League and the banded towns
began to quarrel and TO shirk payment
Of their dues and 10 absent themselves from the
annual diets. When the Spanish Armada was de-
streyed, English maritime commerce rose
with a bound, and Elizabeth was not
The sovereign TO put foreigners above
her own subjects. The privileges Of
TIE SteeBard were curtailed, and after des
peratc struggle lasting many years. the Hanseatics
were expelled from London. The Thirty Years
War completed the destruction Of the League,
which, however. had been foredoomcd by its own
inhexibility. Had it been able 10 change with
The times to adapt its policy, TO accept the gen.