The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-08-10
DECLINE OF FARM PRODUCTS.
THE CAUSE UNDER INTERNATIONAL
DISCU sSION.

siberia as n Grain COuntry-An In
ternatIORal Farmers' Alliance
Suggested-The Emperor at His
SPOrts-Other Matters.
Berlin. Aug "A select conference was
held on Thursday evening at the residence
OF Prof. Sering Of the Berlin Academy OF
Agriculture, to which were invited Baron
Won Hammerstein-Loxten Prussian min
lister Of agriculture. domains and forests;
DR.. Thiel. first councillor OF the ministry
of agriculture. Hon. Edwin f. Uhl, United
States ambassador TO Germany; Or.
Schumacher. who has made two official
visits to the United States for the purpose
Of studying the agricultural conditions
prevailing in America; Mr.. Turke OF the
Eckert agricultural machinery manufac-
turing firm; Mr.. David Lubin of Sacra-
mento, Call as the representative OF pa
irons of husbandry and two OF three other
prominent agrarians. Baron Won Ham
merstein-Loxten and Ambassador UhI
having made prior engagements were COM
PEELED to absent themselves from the con-
ference but all of the others who were
Invited were present. Mr.. Lubin submit
ted a series OF questions for discussion,
bearing upon the respective causes, ef-
fects and remedies connected with the de-
cline of prices in the agricultural products
of the world. Among the number OF rem
edies suggested by the questions submit
ted were the reconciliation Of silver at a
ratio Of l6 to 1 and the establishment of
the free trade system. The submission Of
the questions was followed by a discus
sion which lasted five hours.
Prof sering delivered an address, in
which he expressed his belief that the
prices Of agricultural products had reach
ed their lowest figures. but he admitted
that while they would not fall any lower,
II was possible that they might remain
stationary for long time to come. AL
luding to Mr.. Lubin's contention, which
was II their efforts TO establish a free
trade system should fail, the farmers OF
the United States ought to be granted
bounties upon their exported products by
the government, Prof. Sering said that
he was not surprised at Mr. Lubin's de-
mand. but he warned him and the others
Of his hearers that II such a system OF
bounties were established It would inn
mediately elicit strong retaliatory meas
ures in Europe, and perhaps cause the
creation OF O protectionlst union of
the European countries against the
United States. 1t was a mere delusion,
he continued, 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 an ample
supply of wheat, meats, etc. for an In
definite time.
DR. Schumacher, who followed Prof. Sc
ring, conCurred in that gentlemans opin-
ions, and contended that the coinage of
silver at a ratio of IS to ] In the United
States would necessarily induce a very se-
rious economic conflict with Europe.
Mr.. Turkes, whose commercial connec-
.N.NIaw
lie and Russia, expressed himself as con-
vinced that both of these countries were
only beginning their careers as the grain
providers Of the world. Russia, he said,
was developing In the production of grain
amazingly, and ne predicted that within a
few years the whole OF Southern Siberia
would become a serious competitor for
supplying Europe and the rest Of the
world with cereals.
Prof Seriug suggested the creation Of an
international alliance of the agrarians OF
the world, with q central bureau In Lon
don, Washington, Boston or Paris and
that the alliance hold an annual meeting
of delegates from the various agrarian
institutions. The proposal was deferred for
the action of a further conference.
Baron Won Hammersten-Loxten had
previously received Mr.. Lubn, who was
introduced to the minister Of agriculture
by Ambassador Uhl. Upon this occasion
Baron Won Hammerstein declared that he
was in full sympathy with Mr. Lubin in
cline in prices of agricultural products.
Prussia, he said was suffering equally
with the rest Of the world, from general
depression Of business and prices. He add
ed that he was glad that Mr.. Lubn was
about to discuss the problem with which
they We're confronted with the leading
economists of Germany. Baron Won Ham
merstein later introduced Mr. Lubin TO
Prof. Sering and Or Schumacher.
A report Of the proceedings of the agri-
cultural conference has been furnished TO
Baron Won Hammerstein.
The inhabitants of the Lower Rhine dis
tricts had long been in expectation that
the emperor would make a tour Of Their
section of the empire in accordance with
his announced programme, and had made
elaborate preparations to receive his ma
jesty with all possible honors.
1t was probably expected that the kaiser
would be present at the dedication of the
restored church at Wesel, and unveii the.
statue Of his grandfather Emperor Will
lam /, at Ruhrort on Friday, and these
places were centers of attraction to all
who could possibly make the journey.
When IL was announced that the en-
peror could not possibly be present, ow-
ing to illness, the people were greatly dis
appointed, but the program previously ar
ranged was carried out and the exercises
attracted crowds of people.
The Empress and Prince Henry Of
Prussia, who represented the emperor, his
brother, were received with every man.
Hesitation of enthusiasm. Although an at
tack Of catarrh was given as the reason
for the emperor's abandonment OF his srip
to the Lower Rhine there is little doubt
that political affairs were the chief causes
OF his remaining behind, but the story
now in circulation that a crisis In the
chancellorship is impending is a mere re-
surgence of a favorite theme Of late when
current politics become a little dull
The North German Gazette in its issue
of yesterday, made the announcement that
the czar had notified Emperor William
that he and the czarina would visit Bres-
lau about Sept. upon the
occasion Of the Silesian military ma
MOWERS. The proximity Of this event alone
discounts the idea that Prince Hohenlohe
will resign within the next few weeks, II
indeed he does so for many months to
come
The usual stock Of stories are in circu-
lation IN connection with the emperor's
recent tour of the northern seas, chief
among them being an account Of his ma
jesty's democratic demeanor. 1t is related
that he completely discarded his accus-
toned court stiffness and made himself
particularly agreeable to high and low
alike.
One of the emperor's guests on the trip
tells the following story: The kaiser upon
becoming aware that some Of the officers
of the Hohenzollern were in the habit of
riding bicycles upon the promenade deck
Al