The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-11-21
GREAT GROWTH OF BERLIN.
Extraordinary Difficulties Over
come.
THE STANDING ARMY TOO LARGE.
o. F. Won Rhein Speaks of European
Affairs, but Does Not Neglect
His Home.

o. E. Won Rhein. the well-known real
estate man. has just returned from a three
months trip to Germany, stopping en-
route at Chicago and New York. He went
10 work early yesterday morning, but
allowed himself to be interrupted long
enough to tell CALL reporter something
of his observations on the other side of the
Atlantic. particularly in Kaiser Wilhelm'e
realm.
what impressed me most on my visit"
said Mr.. Won Rhein, was the wonderful
growth of the German capital. AS some
one else has remarked. Berlin is the Chi
cago of Europe. There is no other city in
the world to compare with it. 1t has now
more than million and half pOpula-
ton and is growing faster each year.
There has been extraordinary intelligence
in municipal management and scientific
work in overcoming natural difficulties.
Berlin is built upon level ground. and it
was impossible properly TO drain the city
because the sewage did not have natural
fall, as IN San Francisco, and no outlet
even if it could have ruD. As result the
health OF the city was impaired. The
municipality. not deferred by natures OBJ
stacles, secured an immense acreage near
the city, of what was sandy desert
so to speak. Now, by a vast sys-
tenn OF pumps, worked on scientific
principles. the sewage Is carried TO this
former desert, where it is employed as a
fertilizer. creating rich farms. 1t was an
immense undertaking. but the results
justified it. Berlin is one of the healthiest
cities of Europe. We of San Francisco,
where nearly every family occupies
separate house, anG where there is natural
drainage, can scarcely appreciate the
work required to make the great barracks
occupied as tenements habita ble-not only
habitable, but clean and wholesome. Ber-
lin now attracts infinitely more tourists
than 1t did ten years ago. Very few who
are doing the Continent slight the German
capital. There are few points in which
Berlin does not rival Vienna.
Il had occasion to call upon General
Runyon, the new American En- bas sador.
l found him very pleasant. unassuming
gentleman. He has taken hold of affairs
with great energy. Personally he is popu-
lar at court, and our Government having
conferred upon Elm higher rank than any
predecessor had he will be able to serve
the United States more efficiently. Rank
counts for something abroad, and an En-
bassador has more influence than Min
ister."
Asked about German politics, Mr. Won
Rhein said he had had very favorable op-
portunity for sounding the sentiment of
the Liberals. An old schoolfellow, Louis
Jordan, is memb Der of the Reichstag, rep
resenting Glogau, farming district He
votes with the Freisinnige party. Through
the friendship of Mr.. Jordan, Mr.. Won
Rhein came into close touch with leaders
of the Liberal party.
while the Reichstag has voted the in
creased army bill" said be. ''yet there is
widespread dissatisfaction at the mill
tarlsmus' of the Govern ment-the dispo-
sition to sacrifice everything for the army.
There is a deep feeling that too much
money, Drawn and blood are being con-
sumed without equitable compensation.
The prevailing sentiment among all classes.
except perhaps royalty, Is that halt must
soon be called on the never-ending in
creased demand for coin and men. o.
course so long as all European nations
maintain military force no one nation
dares 10 disarm. When France increases
her soldiers Germany says, I'll go you one
BETTER and creates the larger army. If
France again augments her army, Ger
many will have TO make renewed demands
for more men and more rifles. The logical
result of the present situation was well
illustrated by caricature which saw re-
Gently 10 Liberal paper. 1t represented
fOur-y old boy with gun on his shout
der, Saber at bis side and a recruiting
officer in front of him. Near by stood
nurse holding babe whose lead was COW
cred by paper helmet
THE tendency Of the Liberals is toward
peace. While they recognize the necessity
of the present standing army, they feel
that the extreme limit has been reached
and that the country can stand the strain
only short time longer"
Speaking of matters nearer home, Mr..
Won Rhein said he was agreeably sur
prised at the interest manifested in New
York over the Midwinter Fair. He had
no doubt the most sanguine expectations
concerning the attendance from the East
would be realized. and he looked conf
IDENTIFY for good permanent results. Among
the thousands of visitors who are certain
to come there will be considers BILE pro-
portion induced by the climate and natural
resources to take up their residence in
California.
Indeed. after visiting New York and
Chicago" said Mr.. Won Rhein. 81 am more
than ever impressed with the future of
San Francisco, as all others are who have
watched her steady growth for the last
thirty years. l am more than pleased
with the unmistakable evidences of the
passing away Of the late financial strin-
geney; and while ] am ON that subject
want to say that San Francisco stood the
storm with less wreckage and damage than
any other city in the United States. New
York not excepted"