The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-24
THE AGRARIANS' CAUSE.
THEIR HOPE FROM THE GOVERN
MENT NOT REALIZED.
Comment Which 10 Exciting Keen Inter.
sst-Tbe New Tobacco Tax Bill-CouneiI
of state-The American Colony.

| BERLIN, Feb. 23.-The Agrarians and
their fCjends, the silver men, are not in
such high spirits as at the beginning OF
| the week. At the mass-meeting Monday,
| when some 1000 members OF the Farmers
| League acclaimed Herr Ploetz's prediction
| of speedy triumph. their hopes were un-
! limited. They prophesied freely a new era
! of high tariffs, free silver and grain mo-
| nopoly. They expected an immediate re-
| sponse from the Government, and have
| been much chagrined by the apparent IN
| difference Of the ministers to their de-
! monstration.
The Government has not taken any
| steps to realize the expectations OF the
| bimetallsts regarding an International
monetary conference. DR.. Won Boettch-
| ers speech to the General Assembly OF
the German Chamber Of Commerce yes
| terday was the sole official utterance on
| the subject, and 1t contained nothing
satisfactory to the Agrariars. except the
admission that German agriculture was
depressed. Boetticher, In fact, made
strong defence of Count Won CapriVTs
reciprocity treaties, which are the spe-
cial abomination of the Farmers League.
He said: Let anybody who regards the
commercial treaties as a failure think
for a moment what would have become of
our Industries without this reciprocity
policy. The treaties have not been the
cause of the agricultural distress II is a
mistake TO hold them responsible for it,"
This explicit utterance is in such bold
contrast 10 Chancellor Prince Hohen-
lohe's formal declarations and Freiherr
Won Hammerstein-LoXtein speeches,
that It has given rise 10 reports of dis
sensions in the Cabinet. These dissensions
are said to have imperilled the positions
Of Herr Won Koeler and Won Hammer
stein, and to have rendered both some
what more cautious in their espousal OF
the Agrarian cause.
CATERING TO THE EMPEROR
Chancellor Prince Hohenlohe IS under
stood TO side with Boetticher, who. with
his usual pliancy, is fitting his utteranceS
TO the Emperor's opinions. The newspa-
pers, who take their cue from the Cham
cellory. begin to condemn the fervor of
the Agrarian agitation. The Nord Deutsch
Algemein ZeituBg wants the leaders OF the
Farmers League to abate their demands
and cease acting as il their cause We're
already triumphant. OthcrWise, says the
vi ter, the members will simply place
weapons in the hands of their enemies
while surrounding their friends with new
difficulties. The Koelnische Zeitung ex-
presses confidence that Prince Hohenohe
will not allow a few Agrarian politicians
a group of landowners whose every acre
is mortgaged, and the attendant crowd
Of political adventurers TO block the
course OF German prosperity and disquiet
the country. The writer then cuts to the
core of the present situation, when he
asks: "Will the group led by Herr Won
Koeller and DIR. Miguel now play against
Prince Hohenlohe .he same part that
Count Botho Zuelenburg and DR.. Miguel
played against Count Won CaDrivl, in the
ministerial circle?"
This query is exciting the keenest inter-
est. It is believed that the Emperor, in
his interference with Prince Hohenlohe
yesterday, decided now far ne would 20
10 satisfy the Agrarians and exclude from
the possibility of acceptance Count Kan
ilz's proposals for state monopoly or regu-
lation Of the grain trade.
THE TOBACCO TAX BILL.
In the commission of twenty-eight. ap-
pointed 0y the Reichstag to consider the
tobacco tax BILL the Clericals will nave
the balance of power in every important
vote. The party however, is entirely spht
on the issue, local interest causing differ
ent members 20 fight one another with |
all the energy of lifelong opporents.
The Bavarians favor the new tax, while |
others are so hostile to it that even the |
consent OF the Government TO re-admlt |
the Jesuts would not suffice TO reconcile |
them to il. The Unpopularity of the tax |
throughout the country Is beyond doubt. |
Protests against il are coming in from |
all quarters OF the Empire. The west |
phallan manufacturers say that il the |
bill be passed they must discharge at |
once more than 10000 tobacco WORKERS.
The Prussian ministers decided I'm |
council yesterday to summon the Coun- |
Gil of State to meet about March "a, under |
IL. . "a
The sessions will be opea. The main |
business will concern the agricultural de- |
preston.
Washington's birthday was celebrated |
generally in the American colony Amhas- |
sador and Mrs. Runyon received hosts |
of guests between 3 and +. NJ.
Visitors from Dresden and Leipsic were |
present. Mrs. Runyon and her daughters |
were almost exhausted by the rush OF |
guests.
Large orders for the new United States |
bonds were sent TO London from Berlin |
and Frankfort. The closing Of the list two /
hours after the opening excluded most OF |
the German applicants. Strong di5satis- |
faction is felt on the German bOurses |
because more Of the bonds were not pro-
cured here.
Prince Bismarck has recovered from
his neuralgia, and is in vigorous health |
and spirits. and taking a keen interest in
the preparations for his birthday cele- |
bratiOn.
Cardinal Kopp has issued a pastoral
letter concerning Homens rights and the |
agitation in favor of equal political priv
ileges for all He says:
1T is against the order Of the world
that the emancipation Of woman should |
mean her absolute equality with man.
Gods will is that woman should be help |
mate. She is bodily unfit for mans work,
and her emancipation. TO the end that she /
might work side by side with man, would
mean the deterioration OF the Christianity |
that freed her from slavery and made her
mans social equal. Unrestricted equality
would mean womans ruin"
STEAMER BLBE's TREAcUhE.