Birmingham age-herald., 1895-09-30
RUSS|A'S MONEY MASTER His Stay in Berlin is Exciting
 Gossip. HIS VIGOROUS DISCLAIMER Doesn't Have the Effect Which He Desires.
 The Stories Ahoat.
A GLIMPSE AT IMPERIAL INNER LIE
The Empress Stands Between Her Liege Lord and the Kids-More Trouble With the Socialists-A Rumor
 About Emperors Brother.

Berlin, Sept. 29.-The prolonged stay in Berlin of NJ. Dewitte the Russian minis ter of finance simultaneously with the visit to the German capital of an agent of the Bank of St. Petersburg, has gwen the appearance of truth to reports that Russia is endeavoIine to induce Germany to participate in politico-financial pro- jeets in China M. Dewitte, however, has positively denied that his visit has any thing to do with finance, but there are many who still believe that this assertion is merely a diplomatic figure of speech. To one interviewer M. Dewitte said he had been spending short season in Switzerland for the benefit of his health and was on his way home with his fam fly. His stay in Berlin was merely in qualification of his desire to consult em- inent German physicians. He had, he said, no intention of seeing any poi1t- cians or linanciers while here. The fact that he had accorded interviews With several bankers since his arrival here, he explained, was due to his interest in the formation of large electrical com pany in Berlin, in which he hoped that the niscunto GesSellschaft and other Ger man bankers would become interested. NJ. Dewitte said that he had told the bankers with whom he had had inter- views that if any further arrangements in connection with RuSSo-Chinese finances were required they would be conducted through French bankers ex- chsively and not through German houses.
 The Cologne Gazette, apropos of the reports that several Berlin bankers had been sounding Minister DeWitte on tho question Of taking a share in new Rus sia state loan, warns them to keep aloof from all financial projects in which De- witte is concerned and, pursuing the sub- ject reminds them that since he had ob- tained control of the finances of Russia the debt of that empire had been in- creased by 3500000 francs.
 If Russia herslf or any Russian enter prise wants any money says the Ga zette, 'let the French lend it to them"
 Last Fridays newspapers circulated the story that M. Dewitte had broken off negotiations in connection with his pro- ject for the formation of an electrical company and had suddenly left Berlin. This story has been exploded, however, as M. Dewitte is still here. II had it's or ign in the departure of the agent of the Bank of St. Petersburg who, by the way lived in the hotel with M Dewitte while here.
 The projected visit to Berlin of the King of Belgians, which, it was surmised had relation to affairs of the Congo state has been either indefinitely delayed or finally abandoned. no one seems to know which. It is understood from current gossip. however, that the emperor had strong dislike to personal negotiations on the subject and caused King Leopold to be informed that the negotiations must be conducted through diplomatic chan nelS.
 Despite the complaints made by the chambers of commerce at Kiel and Stet- tin, as well al by others, the government has declined to reduce the tolls of the Baltic-North sea canal. The protest for mulated by the Stettn chamber of com merce calls attention to the fact that during the month of August only 71S yes sels passed through the canal, and this at the old rates On Tuesday next, Octo- Der 1, the new rates, which increase the tolls by 25 per cent. will go into effect As the system of lighting the banks of the canal by electricity is very defective vessels venturing through the canal are likely to be stopped during any of the long winter nights and it is certain that this prospect will still further and to d great extent lessen the traffic.
 lady connected with the entourag of the empress has given some very inter- esting details of the daily life and opin- ions of the kaiserin The imperial lady, it seems is by no means an admirer of the "emancipated woman," and holds that matrimony is womans natural des- tiny. The empress gives strict personal attention to the regulations of her house. hold and often pays visits of inspection tO lHe kllCDeIl, WHICH IS as SlHple III US appointme as that of the household of weil-to-do burgher The emperor is in feXibly hard and sometimes very harsh in his treatment of the young princes and in these cases the empress smooths over their sorrows in a motherly fash ion. If the tutors of the youngsters find lhem inattentive to their studies she takes their teaching in hand for an hour or so. and if they become unruly does not shrink from using the cane upon fI,at,, rN,.i,, lxr h.o however is exempted from this treat ment, as he is now of an age which places him beyond this Jurisdiction. The princes great stamp collectors and spend a good deal of their spare time in arrang- ing their collections The empress in sup plying a new stamp or observing that they have come in possession of one of a kind they have never had. plies them with questions as to the geographical location and chief characteristics of the country from which it came. Her ma ies- ty is kind to her domestics, but forbids them to accept any presents from guests or others. under the penalty of dismissal Upon all sides are evidences that she has thoroughly won the affection of her em- ployes.
 The celebrated explorer, Carl Peteras. presided at meeting held in the old reichstag building last evening with the object of creating a German union for the fostering of sports, outdoor play and gymnastics. An executive committee was formed, including Carl Peters. Count Oppersdorf and Dr. Gebhard, to carry out the aims of the meeting.
 Joseph Dierl, alias Roland, formerly the tinsmith and later an actor who has recently been signing articles in the ca pacity of responsible editor of the so- cialist organ, the Vorwaerts has been arrested on the charge of lese majeste, his offense having consisted in the pub 1ication of comments of the Vorwaerts unon the speech delivered by the emneror to the guards upon the occasion of the Sedan fetes It is altogether probable that Derl never wrote a line that ap- peared in the Vorwaerts, and is in jail