The herald., 1894-01-07
AFFAIRS IN THE FATHERLAND,
The Russian Commercial Treaty
Nearly Finished.
Its Chances for Passing the Reich
stag Diminished.
Ambassador Runyon Cutting Wide
swath in Imperial Social Circles.
A Burglar Insurance Com
pasy-Cold Weather.
Iooprrlghtsa br ,he Arsoclated press.l

lOOpyLSutS4 uy tue AndDClhtc0 LACo9sl
BERLIN, Jan. 6.-An agreement re-
garding the Russian treaty OF commerce
has been reached on all points but the
Russian side. the understanding being
that this will take some time. In order
to prevent further difficulties the in
depreciation of the treaty in the German
and Russian langusgeswill be avoided.
The whole will be drafted in French.
The difficulty now is the duration of the
treaty. Russia favors short and
Germany demands long period. The
prospects of its adoption by the reich
stag is diminished. Marguardsen,
Passche and Burhlin, three influential
members of the National Liberal party,
have publicly announced their inten-
tion to vote against the treaty, and 1t
is feared others will follow their ex-
ample, and, as q change OF II votes
would suffice to defeat the treaty, the
impending crisis is brought nearer.
Richter is preparing an attack upon
the government on the Cameroons af-
fair. The attack will be made mainly
on the lires of injudicious selection Of
the officials entrusted to represent the
German power in Africa. These officials
are said to be mostly young and with
out colonial experience, and the bulk OF
the troubles with the natives, it is
claimed, originates with the mistakes
they make.
The raising OF the American minis
ter, Hon. Theodore B. Runyon, to the
rank OF ambassador, has just been
given fitting significance by special
compliment paid by the emperor, by
driving up to the embassy on New
Years morning and sending up his
card, personally inviting RunyoD
TO reception reception. Rnnyen gave
eclat to the event by driving
up to the palace in splendid
style, with a coachman and two foot
men in blue coats and white caps. The
American eagle was painted on the car
riage and the trappings were elaborately
embroidered. The equipsge caused q
great deal of curiosity among the people
of Berlin, the colors not yet being fa-
miliar to the people of the city.
Herr Bloess' libel trial has led to con-
siderable comment as to the differences
between the respective regime of Prince
Bismarck and General Caprivi. His
lenient sentence is claimed to prove that
an immense change has occurred in
political views and opinions since
the dismissal of the iron chancel
lor. People ask whether any court of
Justice would under BiHmarck's gov
ernment have the independence
merely to fine an offender 100 marks for
insulting him in similar manner.
Herr Blechroger. a well known banker,
announces that the attempt in Vienna
to defraud him by means of q photographic
order to send stocks and money was only
successful to the amount of about 5000
marks.
A new insurance company is being or
ganized here by body of responsible
men, mainly jewelers., to insure mem
bsrs against losses at the hands of
burglars. The capital Of the new COM
pany is $4,000, 600, of which 25 per cent
will be paid up.
The United States AMBASSADOR, Hon.
Theodore B. Runyon, and Mrs. Runyon
gave q dinner today to the mem bers and
wives OF the English and American en-
bassies, all OF whom attended, including
the British ambassador, Sir Edward
mclt duu lhuys
The cold weather causes the greatest
misery in many quarters OF the city, and
additional shelters have been opened for
the accommodation of 1000 more people
who receive bread free.' The ther-
mometer has fallen since yesterday, and
there seems to be no prospect for an
immediate break in the extremely cold
weather,
The Reichsanzeiger prints letter
from Caprivi written in reply to resolu-
tions OF the Conservative association. in
which the chancellor says he is inclined
to hear non-official opinions of experts
in connection with the official inquiry
which has been opened with q view t1
ascertaining opinions as to measures
desirable in order to raise the depre
ciated value of silver.