The herald., 1896-02-09
The Chancellor Makes a DecIar-
alton of Policy
REGARDING BIMETALLISM
International Agreement Must First Be
Obtained.
OF That There Is No Present Prospect-1ore
Stringent Examination of American
Pork Is Demanded
Associated Press Special Wire.

BERLIN, Feb. 9.-(Copyrighted, 1896, by
the Associated Press.) The pressure
brought to bear upon the government by
the German bmetallists has resulted in
squeezing from the ministers statement
on the subject.
The imperial chancellor, Prince Won
Hohenlohe, in the reichstag today. made
the following declaration of the policy in
this connection.
1--WE have gone exhaustively into the
question of raising and Strengthening the
value of silver with the federal govern
ments, being guided by the conviction that
the fiuctuation and heavy fall in the price
of silver entailed economic prejudice in
Germany, in spite of the fact that her
monetary system rested securely on the
gold standard,
''As the secretary of the treasury stated
on February IA. 1895, the first point to be
considered is the serious injury to German
silver mining. The production of German
silver amounts to about per cent OF the
total output of the world. The fall in price
is not of much moment in the immensely
larger production of foreign ores. But to
Germany it implies such a decrease in
value as to endanger home silver mining.
Another point is it's influence upon Ger
man exports to silver countries. There is
no doubt that trade with them is made
much moro difficult by fluctuations and
the fall in silver. although lately the fluc
tuatons have been comparatively small
and those interested have been able to
find means of security against losses. But
German export trade in silver countries
has suffered froIn the conditions of ex-
change"
II do not underestimate" he added,
"lhe importance of the effects produced by
this cause. But they must not be placed
too high Our exports to silver countries
amount only to Ga per cent of our total
exports, and in spite of the setback during
the months when silver fell. they, on the
whole. have made favorable progress
The official statements prove that the de-
preclated currency of silver countries con-
tributes to facilitate competition with the
exports of these countries, until the mo-
ment when compensating influence rises
and home prices and wages establish
themselves, the final result being that the
silver coins become degraded to the level
of paper money. This depreciation, how
ever, does not endanger our currency be-
cause our trade is ,abundantly supported
by gold and the imperial bank notes, ade-
Quately covered by the gold reserve, and
the silver money does not exceed the de
mand which even in times of crisis is not
likely TO diminish.
"On the other hand the danger from
counterfeit coinage has been increased by
the fall in silver. although there was one
case i'll 1898. Yet a fall in the price of
silver will always serve as an inducement
to counterfeiting. Therefore, although a
rise in the price of silver is highly desir-
able from an economic and mint stand
point, yet no doubt the goal can only be
attained by an understanding with the
countries interested in International COM
merce, of which there Is no present pros
pect. The bimetal!ists recognize in the re-
opening of the Indian mints a condition
precedent to unlimited coinage and con-
cur, as believe that otherwise all efforts
to raise the price are vain. The opening of
the Indian mints Is not expected within
measurable time as / have learned from
preliminary negotiations with the British
government"
Prince HohenIohe concluded by saying:
monetary conference would not bring
the question nearer to a practical solution
and therefore it appears to be undesirable
that Germany should take the lead in sum-
moning conference. The federal govern
ments, acting upon their conviction, have
decided not to take further steps in pur-
suance of the resolution of the reichstag of
February l6, 1895. If, however, definite
cess were made on behalf CT another state
should duly consider the question of Ger
man representation at a conference"
During the agrarian discussion in the
diet Wednesday last, Count Won Hohens-
brooch declared that forty-nine of fifty
Germany were imported from America
and called for a more stringent examina-
lion of American pork.
The colonial office is nov considering
the new emigration bill, which provides
favors and inducements to be offered to
man colonies where military service may
be performed.
The court fetes were marred this year
by the deaths of royalties. A brilliant
program had been arranged, but the de-
mise of Prince Alexander of Prussia and
the death Of Prince Henry of Battenberg,
as we'll as that of the grand duchess of
Oldenburg, compelled their cancelng. In
addition, the death of the grand duke of
81 Nlenburg is expected daily.
Bs peror William has been much grieved
at tn. death of Mr.. Theodore Runyon, am.
bassai s,r of the United States to Germany,
which, mis- majesty said, robbed the court
for the time being of one of the most
beautiful ladies in attendance, Mrs. Has
kins, Mr.. Runyon's daughter.
There have been many changes in the
posts at court during the past week, with
the view of getting rid of all those who
have been in any way involved in the Won
Kotze scandal, which will lead to the re-
trement of Princes Frederick of Hohen-
zollern and Albert of Saxe.Altenburg to
their estates.
The emperor is attending daily the
fencing lessons which are being given to
his two eldest SONS by Colonel Dresky, the
former instructor of his majesty, and he
frequently takes part in fencing bouts him
self. Indeed, the emperor has devised
fencing mask which is now being used and
which. it is claimed, precludes accidents.
On Monday next quite large number of
' strikes will be inaugurated in different
parts of Germany, the most important
being hat of the home works seamstresses
n Berlin, Hamburg. Stettin and Breslau,
affecting altogether about 200 persons.
The carpenters, bricklayers, etc., are also
declaring a strike. and other trades, it is
ANNOUNCED, will do likewise. The building
trades strike, it is said, is in anticipation
OF the demand for labor which will be
caused by work upon the Berlin exposition.
The bundesrath will give a grand BAN
quet on February Goth to commemorate
the twenty-flfth anniversary of the con-
vening.
Herman Friedman, director of the Rhen-
ish- Westphalian bank, has been arrested
on the charge of forgery.
The revision of the extradition treaty be-
tween Germany and the United States is
again at q standstill, owing to the demands