The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-12-24
GERMANY'S NEW TARIFF.
II MARKED GROWTH or POPUIdR
FEELING AGAINST THEM.
DR.. MIGUEL, the Minister of Finance, Ex-
plains the situation-The Taxation OF
Tobacco-Relief for A Agriculturists.

| toDdcto-iNtilel LOT
Copyright, 1893 by The United Press)
BERLIN, Dec. 23-Although the Reich
stag has adjourned, leaving the ministry
triumphant along the whole line, great
uncertainty prevails in official quarters
concerning the future. The confidence
Of the Ministerialists, hitherto mistaken,
is now decreasing, No disastrous defeat
is expected, but the Ministers feel that
their position has been shaken by the
growth Of popular feeling against all
the new tax proposals, except the one
affecting the Bourse.
DR.. MIGUEL, Prussian Minister Of FL
! nance, yesterday gave an interview eX-
planning the situation to the editor of the
Deutsche Warte. He complained TO the
editor that the lack Of large solid parties
In the Reichstag hindered the official
reforms. The old groups had crumbled
to pieces, he said, and each Of the new
ones must be approached In the way Of
It's special interests. This state Of af-
tairs prevented Germany from becoming
strong centralized state.
Cause OF the Recent Success.
1t is evident that DR.. MIGUEL ignored the
fact that the government owed it's recent
success es to the chance manipul ltions OF
the small parliamentary factions. These
successes would have been impossible
had the large compact groups still ex-
listed.
Sound imperial finance" Dr. MIGUEL
continued, could not be obtained Witn-
out finance reform. The government can
have no object ether than the countrys
good yet the opposition treat the minis
ters as If they were enemies OF the cm-
pire. Taxation OF tobacco is opposed as
II tobacco were a necessary Of life The
tax doubtless would lead 10 some dis
location of the tobacco industry, but II
ten thousand to-be workers should be
thrown cut Of employment, what then?
Most Of them would find work i'm other
industries While the country generally
would experience no discomfort, the
treasury would be relieved"
DR.. Miguel admitted that the wine tax
proL osed would be modified, but all the
contemplated alterations of his plans. he
declared, woud not touch the principles.
The premiums on exports Of sugar would
be left iptact, he said
Relief for ihe Agricultural.
The government fully recognized the
depression i'm the agricultural districts.
When the Prussian Landtag should open
measure would be introduced for the
creation Of agricultural chambers, i'm
which the interests of the great land
owners and small farmers would bee repre-
sented equally. The government would
assist the chambers in agrarian reforms.
ana in obtaining agricultural credit Dr.
Miguel said he was convinced that the
galn-growers exaggerated the effects
which the treaty with Russia would have
upon the price Of cereals. Anyhow. it was
impossible TO prevent Russian grain from
entering Germany by side ways. Besides,
having concluded treaties with the powers, |
Germany could hardly decline 10 conclude /
one with Russia Undoubtedly the Rus |
sian monetary system presented a grave |
objection. The agi0 on god encouragCl r
expectation and rendered customs duties /
ilusory. but Germany had the same dis /
advantage in dealing with Austria-Hun- /
gary and Italy. IL was always dangerous /
TO conclude commercial treaties with /
countries having unstable currency sys-
TENS. If no understanding should Doe
reached with Russia. who could predict
what might happen I'm Russia's negotia-
tion with our other countries? Finally !
DR.. Miguel thought the Reichstag, how
ever bitterly preiudiced against the new
tax proposals, would approve the scheme
in bulk, as there was no alternative plan
to meet the increased expenditure.
Distress Among the WorlSingmcn.
The Berlirer Zeitung eniarges on the
pi esent condition Of starvation iu German |
Workshops which usually
furnish employment to twenty men have !
been obliged TO reduce their forces 10
two. The depression is felt more severely
In the building trades. including carpen-
ters and cabinet makers, but it also eX-
tends to others The Xinas sales are re-
ported by tn shop-keepers 20 De small
beyond parallel only the cheapest goods
finding buyers.
a Cabinet council was held to-day. over
which Count Bottle Gutenberg. the Prus-
sian premier, presided. Chancellor Won
-apriW was present The council dis
,ussed the subjects 10 be treated in the
speech from the throne at the opening Of
he Landtag.
The rumors now being circulated by
foreign newspapers that the position of
Chancellor Won Caprivi is critical are
lnfounded being a repetition Of the old !
md familiar fiction.
Count Won Gutenberg, the Prussian
minister at Munich. IL is announced VIII
succeed Prince Russ as ambassador at
Vienna. the latter retiring from the ser
vice Of Emperor William to-day.
German News Notrs.
A conference has been held between
General Count Won Schleffen and General
Iohenke at which We're settled all details
If The winter army manoeuvres.
KrOlr1 Theatre. after fifty years OF life.
yiI cease TO exist as n theatre I'm April,
S9l. Director Engcl has rented the house
% a syndicate Of brewers who VIII trans
orm il nn a beer and concert sa-den.
Tn Consequence of the many outrags
ecently committed by Anarchists, the
German trades dnion and Socialist CO.
lucrative societies generally are pureins
heir lists Of members suspected Of An
rchistic tendencies. The Berlin Socialist
ommittee has refused TO grant any sup
.ort to the strike Of the shoemakers, be-
ause a majority Of the strikers are An
rchists Of "A violent type.
At Wiesbaden. BishcOfsheim. and Mainze
he police have arrested several men who
ere counterfeitng two-mark pieces. ana
sing the proceeds 10 help the cause OF J
.narchism. Through them other men Of
milar occupytion and principles have been
rrested In Ruedoshiem on the Rhine. All J
he men have criminal records OF consid- S
rable variety. .