The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-02-13
OUR BERLIN CABLE LETTER.
THE GOVERNMENTS POLICY IS
OPPOSED TO THE FREE COIN
AGE OF SILVER.
STATEMENT BY PRINCE HOHENLOHE.
Germany Might Enter Into Interna-
tional Conference-Deaths Inter
fere With Court Fetes-Big
Strikes Begin Tomorrow.

ment on the subject.
The imperial chancellor, Prince Hohen-
lobe, in the reichstag, today made the
following declaration of policy in this
connection:
we have gone eXhaustively into the
question of raising and strengthening the
value of silver. with the Federal govern
ment being guided by the conviction
that the f1uctuation and heavy fall in the
price OF silver entailed economic preiu-
dlces IN Germany, in spite of the fact
that her monetary system rested Sc
curely on the gold standard.
las the secretary of the treasury
stated on February IA, 1895, the first
point to be considered is the serious in
jury to German silver mining. The pro-
duction of German silver amounts TO
about per cent of the total output of
the world. A fall in prices is not of such
moment in the immensely larger produc-
ton of foreign ores, but to Germany it
lmpedes such a decrease in value as to
endanger home silver mining. Another
point is ITS influence upon German ex-
ports 10 silver countries. There is no
doubt that trade with them is made with
much more difficulty by fluctuations in
silver, although lately the fluctuations
have been comparatively small, and
those interested have been able to find
means of security against losses. But
the German export trade to silver cOun-
tries has suffered from the condition of
exchange
NJ, IL 90 not under estimate" he added,
the Importance of the effects produced
by this cause. But they must not be
placed too high. Our exports to silver
countries amount only to three-fourths
per cent of our total exports, and in spite
OF the setback during the month when
silver fell, they have, on the whole, made
favorable progress. The official statis-
tics prove that the deprecated currency
OF silver countries contributes to facili-
tate competition with the exports of
these countries until the moment when
a compensating influence rises, and
home prices and wages establish them
selves, the final result being that the silver
coins become degraded to the level of
paper money. This depreciation, how
tver, 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 coin
age has been increased by the fall of |
silver, although there was only one case
in 1898. Yet 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 de-
sirable from economic and mint stand |
points, yet no doubt the goal can only |
be attained by an understanding with |
the countries interested in International
commerce. of which there is no present
prospect The bimetalists recognized |
the reopening of the Indian minis as a |
condition precedent to unlimited coinage,
and | concur, as | believe that otherwise |
all efforts to raise the price are vain. |
"The opening of the Indian minis is not |
expected with unreasonable time, as / |
have learned from preliminary negotia- |
tons with the British government"
Prince Hohenlohe concluded by say
ing; . /
bring the question nearer to a practical |
solution, and therefore it appears to be |
undesirable that Germany should take |
the lead in summoning conference. |
The federal governments, acting upon |
their conviction, have decided not to take |
further steps in pursuance of the resolu- |
ton of the reichstag of February IA, |
1895. If, however, definite proposals |
promising such were made on behalf of |
another State, l should duly consider
the question of German representation at |
Il conference
During the agraran discussion in the
diet on Wednesday last Count Won Hob
ensbroch declared that 40 out of 80 cases
of trichinoss in pork discovered in Ger
many was imported from America, and
he called for a more stringent exclusion
of American pork.
The colonial Office is now considering
the new emigration bill, which provides
favors and inducements to be offered
to German emigrants willing to go to
the German colonies where military serv-
ice 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
compelled their cancelling. In addition
the death of the Grand Duke of Neck
lenberg is expected at Cannes daily.
Emperor William has been grieved at
the death of Theodore Runyon, ambas-
sador of the United States to Germany,
which, his majesty said, robbed the court
for the time being of one of the most
beautiful ladies in attendance, Mrs. Has
kins, Mrs. Runyon's daughter.
There have been many changes IN |
posts at court during the past week with
the view of getting rid Of all of those
who have been in any way involved in
the Won Kotz scandal, which will lead to
the retirement of Princes Frederick of
Hohenzollern and Albert of Saxe-Alten-
berg 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
himself. Indeed, the emperor has de-
vised a fencing mask which is now be-
ing used and which, it is claimed, pre-
cludes accidents.
On Monday next quite large number
of strikes will be inaugurated in different
parts Of Germany, the most important
being that of the seamstresses in Berlin,
Stettin and Bresau, affecting altogether
about $4,000 persons. The carpenters,
etc., are also declaring a
strike, and other trades, it is declared,
will do likewise. The trades strike, it is
said, is in anticipation of demand for la
Dor which will be caused by work on
he Berlin exposition.
The bundesrath will give grand ban
>uet on February 20 in order to COM
prate the 25th anniversary of the
Aing.