The record-union., 1896-08-10

BERLIN, Aug. 9 Copyrighted, 1896,
by the United Associated Press.-A Sc
lect conference was held on Thursday
evening at the residence of Professor
Sering of the Berlin Academy OF Agrl-
culture, to which were invited Baron
Won Hammerstein-LockS PruSslan
Minister of Agriculture, Domains and
Crests; Hon. Edwin f. Uhl, United
States ambassador to Germany; DIR.
Schumacher, who has made two official
visits to the United States for the pur-
,rose of studying the agricultural con-
ditions prevailing in the United States;
Mr.. Turke, of the Eckert Agricultural
Machinery Manufacturing firm; David
Iubin of Sacramento, California, as
the representative of the Patrons OF
Husbandry, and two or three other
prominent agrarians. Baron Won Ham
Inerstein-L -Lockstein and Embassador
UhI having made prior engagements
were compelled to absent themselves
from the conference, but all the others
who were invited were present.
Mr.. Lubin presented a number OF
questions for discussion bearing upon
the prospective causes and effects ana
remedies connected with the decline OF
prices in the agricultural products OF
the world. Among the number of rem
edies suggested by the questions sub
mitted were the remonetization of sill
yer at a ratio of 16 to l. and the estab-
lishment of free trade system.
The submission of the questions was
followed by a discussion which lasted
five hours.
Professor Sering delivered an address,
in which he expressed his belief that the
prices of agricultural products had
reached their lowest figures, but he ad-
nitted that while they would not fall
any lower it was possible that they
might remain stationary for long
time to come Abiding to Mr.. Lubin's S
contention, which was that if the efforts
TO establish a free trade system should
fail, the farmers of the United States
ought to be granted bountieS on their
exported products by the Government,
Professor Sering said he was not sur
Trised at Mr.. Lubin's demand, but he
warned him and the others of his hear
ers that if such a system Of bounties
were established it would Immediately
elicit strong retaliatory measures IN
Europe, and perhaps cause the crea-
tion of a protectionist union of the
European countries against the United
States 1t was mere delusion. he con-
tinued, for the agriculturists Of the
United States to suppose that France
and Germany could be starved into sur
rendering. The Argentine Republic
and Russia, he said, could provide al
ample supply of wheat, meats, ETC., fol
an indefinite time.
Col ola1- r1O fo11 &C
sor Sering, concurred in that gentle
mans opinions, and contended that tht
coinage of silver at a ratio of Is to l il
the United States would necessarily in
duce a very serious economic conflict
with Europe.
Mr.. Turke, whose commercial con
nections are chiefly with the Argentine
Republic and Russia, expressed himself
as convinced that both of those coun
tries were only beginning their career!
as the grain providers of the world
Russia, he said, was developing in th'
production of grain amazingly, and h
predicted that within a few years the
whole Of Southern Siberia would be
come a serious competitor for supply
ing Europe and the rest of the worlt
with cereals.
Professor Sering suggested the crea
ton of an international alliance of TIL
agrarians of the world, with the cen
trail bureau in London, Washington
Berlin or Paris, and that the allianc
hold an annual meeting of delegate
from the various agrarlan institutions
The proposal was referred for the ac
ton of q future conference.
Baron Hammerstein-Lockst ha'
previously received Mr.. Lubin, VIII
was introduced to the Minister o
Agriculture by Embassador Uhl. Upol
this occasion Baron Won Hammersteil
declared that he was in full sympath
with Mr.. Lubin in the latter's anxiet
in regard to the decline in the price
of agricultural products. Prussia, h
said, was suffering equally with tn
rest of the world from general depres
sion of business and prices. He ad
ded that he was glad that Mr. Lubi
was about to discuss the problem wit
which they were confronted with tn
leading economists of Germany. Baro,
von HaInmerstein later introduced Nj
Iubin to Professor Sering and Di
Schumacher. a report of the proceed
irgs of the agricultural conference ha
been furnished to Baron Won Hammer
stein.
The inhabitants of the lower Rhin
districts had long been in expectation
that the Emperor would make a tou
Of their section of the empire in ac
cordance with his announced pro