New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-14
TROUBLES IN GERMANY.
FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL, AFFAIRS IN A
BAD WAY.
THE CUSTOMS WAR. WITH RUSSIA w,c1Nc- THE
EYES OF BANKERS FIXED UPON TIE


AMERICAN CoNGREss-oTHEe TOPICS.
Berlin, Aug. MISUNDERSTANDING tho fact that the
customs war between Germany and Russia Is being
fought With much vicor on both sides, the official
newspapers OF Germany taking particular mains to
the idea that the most friendly relations con.
tinue to exist between Emperor William and the
Car, and that even the Berlin and st. Petersburg
Governments are ON good terms The latest develop
ments In the fight. however point 10 the contrary
and II Is more than likely that II some arrangement
is not speedily arrived at the customs war will have
effects that were not calculated upon when It was
begun. The question OF German ownership OF land
in Russia has been reOpened and on Thursday last
the Car authorized the appointment OF commission
10 inquire into the validity the deeds held by per-
sons OF German descent, showing their titles TO es
tates In the provinces OF Livona. EsthonIa and
Courland. The aim Of the inquiry Is without doubt 20
Outroot the German element In the Russan-Baltic
provinces Property IN the provinces referred TO is
owned BY a host OF persons including many who be-
long 10 the minor nobility. who known. thoogh
long IN possession OF their estates have only an IT.
regular tenure. The commission will undoubtedly work
hardship 10 many property owners OF German
descent whose estates have been handed down from
father TO for generation after generation. and
who have troubled themselves about title deeds
Called upon TO prove their ownership by documentary
evidence and II is said none other VII 30 ac-
copied they will find themselves unable TO do so, and
the result will be that the property viii revert to the
Crown.
Another instance Of the Germanophobia which has
broken out in the Russian official world Is an ORDER
prohibiting Germans from sojourning within seven
Leagues OF any fortress In the provinces OF kovno.
t,rodno and wilma. In Poland. Numerous expuSions
have occurred OF Germans who had lived their whole
lifetime within the districts that are now prescribed
Every day the tariff gains in Intensity. DIR.
Wife the Russian Finance Minister Is so far as the
couNtry's commercial relations concerned. omnipo
tent 1t was only few days ago that he refused
10 see a deputatim OF Russian landowners, lncmh,ns
several members of the high nobility vii" nave
free access to the Car. The object OF the depn-
tation was to protest against the continuance OF the
,ann war; which was adversely affecting their
interests DR.. Witte undoubtedly mdue smart
stroke when he blocked the German trade In FIN
land The value Of this trade last year amounted
10 about $4,000 900 marks. During the week Nn-
peror William made counterstroke by signing
decree adding fifty per cent 10 the usual duues
collected on Finnish products brought to Germany
Int Il must be said that Russians have the better
q this skirmiSh. as the German decree ahec's d
trade that amounts only 100000 marks anhu-
ally But the events OF every week prove tHat
Russia win be beaten the large field on which
the contest IS ultimately tn be DECIDED lnous"
the German transit traffic ami shipping trade are
suffering through the cessation OF grain shipments
and from other causes arising from the cohmerciai
war; the Russian calculation that the prices vi
cereals in Germany would rise, owing TO the scarcity
erroneous. Among the chief Russian exports u
Germany was rye and this grain may be instanced
10 show how utterly The Russians were as'ray Ill
their conjecturcs regarding grain prices III Ger
many. During July this grain was quoted NJ Ia"
marks When the customs war began short ume
ago the price went up TO l46 marks, but II mas
since been steadily declining. and yesterday the
quotation had got back the July price, lab marks
Supplies OF rye from America are pouring n'o
Germany. In 1o92 the Upited states ssh'
about % per cent d the rye importer ih'o
Germany. This year the quantity imported from
America Will be doubled.
Between the cessation OF trade with Russia, the
American silver crisis. the currency troubles III '!'
and the impending increase Of taxation to raise the
money for the extra expenditures That are necessaeo
BY the Army bill, financial and commercial anars IN
Germany are in a bad way, and show not the sught-
est sign Of rnending The prolonged drouth that pre-
vailed almost everywhere I'm Germany adds to the en-
barrassment, and has compelled and Will continue TO
compel the purchases abroad Of Immense qnaniueS
Of breadstuns and fodder. This will result In the
depletion Of the stock OF gold In the RechsbanK 10
pay for the imports. As the gold held by the Rechs-
hank amounts to only COO, 900 MARKS Including
part OF the war chest the directors prepared 10
fake the most severe financial measures TO prevent
withdrawals.
The situation causes attention here be riveted
pon the doings Of American Congress the pivot
unon which everything in the financial world will
swing In Austrian financial circles. which lately
professed their independence OF American action
alarm now prevails lest the abolition OF the sherman
law will so increase the demand for gold as 10 make
The Austyo Hungarian currency conversion impossible
The Pesth Tageblatt" publishes the results OF an
,nouiry made among bankers. currency experts and
members OF the bourse who all In urging upon
the Government the necessity of Fastening 10 COM
nete the currency reforms with view 10 the immi-
hence OF the appreciation OF gold under h'ertauohai
demand The minis continue TO coin silver in large
aud unnr Qrtn
hoard gold 10 the extent Of 1900 100000 The BANKERS
want the Government to stop the coinage OF silver
end to accelerate the issue Of gold coins. The Gov
eminent seems inclined to await foreign developments
A confession has been made by Herr Rimer,
formerly an assistant secretary In the Austrian
Foreign Office showing that he was working In con-
junction with NJ. Hchon. member OF the French
Chamber Of Deputies. and Involves the leaders OF te
Hungarian Independents In scheme for bringing
ohout n Russian French and Hungarian alliance.
According To Renters story he went 10 ST. Peters
burg where he offered the Russian Government the
aid of the Hungarian Radicals In a proposed attempt
N .orce Austria to evacuate Bosnia In exchange
tor this aid Russia to assist Hungary 10 OBTAIN
comn,c,e Independence. The plan was disclosed TO
Kossuth the Hungarian patriot. now living In exile
On Italv He declared that 1t was crazy scheme oil
crazy men. The Russian Government archn rrnrnS
enle enc ,ha Hungarian Radicals would not be able to
execute their PROMISES
Chancellor Caprv1. whose hlulsPDsloh c, ,1
u, xaricosc veins has lasted Tor consideraoe 'ne,
y nov a He will start for Asace- Lorraine In
september to witness ,Ss w ant al Rarisbad
MI, International Socialist Congress at Zurich
closed on saturday after session pa s a'SG seye
Gays me nnncassitv of energetic agitation 10 Cd.
an proesipn for Se T rsonons
girls zen ho ,no ximum lime Of work demanded from
Women and hour from nr g5's or girls declara
sh cn IN " favor Of universal suffrage IN all cv Win
nations natl was also approved Inc next 0o"s''''
he held in London In 1870