The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-30
The Cars Minister of Finance
Said to Be Treating With
Berlin Bankers.
CENSORSHIP OF THE PRESS
Kaiser William Causes the Arrest
of Another Socialist Editor for
Lese-Maje

lOnged stay IN Berlin OF M. de WItte, the
Russian Minister of Finance, simultane-
ously with the visit to the German capital
of an agent of the Bank of ST. Petersburg,
has given the appearance of truth to re-
ports that Russia is endeavoring to induce
Germany to participate in politico-fnan-
cial projects in China. NJ. de White, how
ever, has positively denied that his visit
has anything to do with finance, but there
are many who still believe that this as
severation is merely diplomatic figure of
speech.
To one interviewer NJ. de Witte said he
had been spending a short season in Swift
zerland for the benefit of his health, and
was on his way home with his family. His
stay in Berlin was merely in qualification
of his desire to consult eminent German
physicians. He had, be said, no intention
of seeing any politicians or fnanciers
while here. The fact that he had &C
corded interviews with several bankers
since his arrival here, he explained, was
due to his interest in the formation OF a
large electrical company in Berlin, in
which he hoped that the Disconto Gesell-
schaft and other German bankers would
become interested. NJ. de Witte said he
had told the bankers with whom he had
interviews that if any further arrange
ments in connection with Russo-Chinese
finances were required they would be con-
Quoted through French bankers exclu-
sively and not through German houses.
The Cologne Gazette, apropos OF the re-
ports that several Berlin bankers had been
sounding Minister de Witte on the ques-
ton of taking share in a new Russian
state loan, warns them to keep aloof from
all financial projects in which NJ. de Witte
is concerned, and, pursuing the subject,
reminds them that since he had obtained
control of the finances of Russia the debt
of that empire had been increased by
81, 000, 900 francs.
''If Russia herself or any Russian enter
prise wants any more money" says the
Gazette, "let the French lend it to them"
Last Fridays newspapers circulated the
story that NJ. de Witte had broken off
negotiations in connection with his project
for the formation of an electrical company
and had suddenly left Berlin. This story
has been exploded, however, as NJ. de
Witte is still here. 1t had it's origin in the
departure of the agent of the Bank of st.
Petersburg, who, by the way, lived in the
same hotel with NJ. de White while here.
The projected visit to Berlin of the King
of the BeIgians, which it was surmised had
relation to affairs in the Congo State, has
been either indefinitely delayed or finally
abandoned, no one seems to know which.
1t is understood from current gossip, how
ever, that the Emperor had a strong dis
like to personal negotiations on the sub
ject, and caused King Leopold to be
informed that the negotiations must be
conducted through diplomatic channels.
Despite the complaints made by the
Chambers of Commerce at kiel and Stet-
tin, as well as by others, the Government
has declined to reduce the tolls of the Bal
tic-North Sea canal. The protest formu-
lated by the Stettin Chamber of Commerce
calls attention to the fact that during the
month of August only 71S vessels passed
through the canal, and this at the old
rates. On Tuesday next, October 1, the
new rate, which increases the tolls by %
per cent, will 60 into effect. AS the sys-
TEN of lighting the banks of the canal by
electricity is very defective vessels ventur-
ing through the canal are likely to be
stopped during many long winter night.
and it is certain that this prospect will
still further and to great extent lessen
the traffic.
A notable incident in connection with
the lighting of the canal occurred few
days ago. A pole carrying a wire charged
with the full power of the plant fell, and
two workmen, passing along the bank in
the darkness, came into contact with it.
One of the men dropped dead upon the
fallen wire and the other was thrown back
ward insensible. They were found by
other workmen, who tried to remove the
dead body from the WIRE, but they were
forced to desist by the strong shocks they
received, and the body remained where it
was until the current was turned off some
time afterward.
A lady connected with the encourage of
the Empress has given some very interest
ing details of the daily life and opinions of
the Kaiserin. The imperial lady, it seems,
is by no means an admirer of the "eman-
cipated woman" and holds that matri-
mony is woman's natural destiny. Never
theless, in several cases her Majesty has
advised ladies under exceptional circum-
stances TO adopt profession instead of
contracting mat1im onial ties, and has lent
her personal assistance to carry out her
advice. The Empress gives strict personal
attention to the regulations OF her house
hold, and often pays visits of inspection to
the kitchen, which is as simple in its ap-
pointment as that of the household of a
well-to-do burgher.
The Emperor is harsh In his treatment
of the young Princes, and in these cases
the Empress smooths over their sorrows
in true motherly fashion. If the tutors of
the youngsters find them 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 their princely backs. The
Crown Prince, however, is excepted from
this treatment, as he is now of an age
which places him beyond this jurisdiction
The Princes are great stamp collectors,
and spend good deal of their spare time
in arranging their collections. The EN-
press, in supplying a new stamp or observ-
ing that they have come into possession
of one of kind they never had, plies
them with questions in regard to the geo.
graphical location and chief characteristics
of the country from which it came. Her
Majesty is kind 10 her domestics, but for
bids them to accept any presents from
guests or others under penalty OF dismis-