The Portland daily press., 1896-08-10
FlRM PRODUCTS
Low Prices Discussed at Conference
in Germany.
INTERNATIONAL BIMETALISM PRO
POSED AS A REMEDY.

The International Alliance Scheme Also
Discussed-Future of Argentine and
| Russia Grain Producing Regions
United States Represented by Mr.. Lubin
of California.
| Berlin, August ga select conference
was held Thursday evening at ths re si-
denoe of Prot. Sering of the Berlin Aoa-
DENY of Agriculture, to which were in
yited Baron Won Hammerstein-L -Loxten
the Prussian minister of agriculture, DIR.
Theil, first councillor to the ministry OF
agriculture. Hon. Edwin E. Uhl, United
States Ambassador to Germany, DR..
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 Eokert Agricultural
Machinery manufacturing firm, David
Lubin, of SACRAMENTO, California, as
representative of the Patrons of
Husbandry, and two or three other
prominent Agrarians
Baron Won Hammerstein-L Loxten and
Ambassador Uhl, having made prior en-
gagements were unable to attend the
conference. All the others who were In
vited were present. Mr.. Lubin submitted
series of questions for discussion bear
ing upon the respective causes effects
and remedies connected with the decline
of prices in agricultural products of the
world. Among the number of remedies
suggested by the questions submitted
were the reInonetization of silver at the
ratio Of 16 to / and the establishment of
a Tree trade system.
The submission of questions was fol-
lowed by discussion which lasted five
hours. Prof. Ssrlng delivered an address
IN which he expressed his belief that
prices for agricultural products had
reached the lowest figures He admitted
that while they would not fall any
lower. it was possible they might remain
stationary for a long time to come.
Alluding to Mr.. Iubin's contention,
which was if their efforts to establish a
free trade system should fail, the farmers
of tho United States ought to be grant
ed bounties upon exported products
by the government. Prof. Sering
said he WAS not surprised at ME-.
Lubin's demand. He warned him
ft4lQ CbA6l6 VI nlb uOdIOlD UlldO II SUM d
sys6em OF bounties were established, it
would Immediately elicid strong retalia-
tory measures in Europe, and perhaps
cause q creation of a pgoteetlonist uDiun
of European countries, against the
United States. 1t was mere delusion,
ne continued, for the agriculturalists of
the United States TO suppose that France
and Germany could he 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 concurred in Prof
Sering's opinions, and contended that
the coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 TO
l in the United States would necessarily
induce very serious economic conflict
with Europe. Mr. Turke, whose COM
mero1al connections are chiefly with the
Argentine Republic and Russia, ex-
pressed himself convinced that both those
ooun tries were only at the beginning of
the careers as grain providers of the
world. Russia, he said, was developing
in the production Of grain amazingly.
He predicted that within few years the
whole of southern Siberia would become
q serious competitor for supplying
Europe and the rest of the world with
cereals.
Prof Sering suggested the creation Of
an international alliance of Agrarians Of
the world with central bureau In Lon
don, Washington, Berlin or Paris, and
the alliance to hold annual meetings of
the delegates from various Agrarian in
stitutions. The proposal wRs referred
for the action bf future conference.
Baron VSh Ham mmerstein-Loxten had
previously received Mr.. Lubin, who was
introduced to the Minister Of Agriculture
by Ambassador Uhl. Upon this occasion
Baron Won HaEmerstein declared that
he was in full sympathy with Mr.. Lubin
in the latter's anxiety in regard to the
decline of prices of agricultural products.
Prussia. be said, was suffering equally
with the rest of the world from a general
depression of business and prices. He
added that he was glad Mr.. Lubin was
about TO discuss the problem with which
they wore confronted, with the leading
economists OF Germany. The report of
the proceedings of the agricultural con-
ference have been furnished to Baron
Won HRmmersteiD.