The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-16
BIMETALLIsM IN GERMANY.
Statements Made by Brycn Easily
Punctured.


To the Editor of the Globe.
Mr. Bryan, in his last speech, delivered
at Peoples church in our good city. made
some very interesting remarks about the
position taken by the Germans in the cause
OF bimetallism. To discuss the same more
fully 1 have to quote his verbatim.
Some people say the Germans are in favor
of the gold standard. I have very often heard
the gold people say that the Germans are
SO favorable to sound money. Yes, they are
in favor of sound money. Let me call your
In the spring Of 1895 the popular branch of
the German assembly passed resolution
declaring in favor of international bimetaI-
the masses of the German people declare
in favor of international binetallism, if the
gold standard had been a blessing which
Berlin chamber Of commerce Immediately
met and passed a resolution that the gold
standard was all right. What does it mean?
1t means that in Germany it is the same
as 1t is here. The masses cry out for BIZ
metaIlism but the financial man wants the
gold standard" So far. Mr.. Bryan.
do not find fault with Mr.. Bryan's logic
l admit that his conclusions mostly are well
taken, and If his statements of facts were
true, l, for one am ready to swear to his
standard and to undergo all penances which
may be required of a repenting sinner. I'm
fortunately, this contamination most to be
desired is far from my longing eyes. / am
more than ever convinced that Mr.. Bryan,
though as loyal a champion as ever took
up arms for any cause, is mistaken about
most Of the facts on which he has founded
the temple of his new gospel. For an illus
ment about what was done in Germany in
u the blmetaliic cause l think the sample
may rely on Mr. Bryan.
To be sure. the German reichstag some
years ago passed a resolution which. Mr..
Bryan claims, was in favor of international
bimetallism By this resolution the German
government was authorized to send delegates
to an international monetary conference, If
such conference should be suggested by any
of the great powers There was no sense in
such a resolution unless there were some
DIRECTORS to the gold standard as estab-
lished by law in Germany.
Ihere are, indeed some people in Germany
who are in favor of free coinage of silver
as proposed by Mr.. Bryan. By an inscrutable
dispensation OF providence, these people have
considerable influence in the German reichstag
and in German politics. The present reichs-
tag whose term is going to end next spring.
IS SPLIT up into a great many parties, of
conservative party and the Center party.
The former represents the exclusively and
egotistically Agrarian interest of the own
eTs of big estates in the eastern provinces
of Prussia, the latter is devoted principally
to the interests of the Church of Rome. The
members of the former are recruited almost
exclusively from the ranks of the landed
aristocracy of the Protestant eastern prov
inces, while the Center party includes many
members CT the Catholic aristocracy the
holders and owners of equally large estates
many Those pious souls found out that
they have a great many interests in common,
they Joined hands and exerted their strength
with delightful energy and equally delightful
success for the sole purpose of protecting
the poor German farmer from the inroads OF
foreign competition. The duty thus levied
on the consumer sums up to about $40 per
year for the average family, all of which
goes into the pockets of the owners OF big
estates. while the owners of small or medium
sized farms, scarcely harvesting grain enough
for their families and stock. do net receive
a cent OF this tribute Among these men we
find the friends of Mr.. Bryan. They are not
very strong in number or intellect but they
are energetic and almost desperate. In spite
of all the benefits lavished them by
paternal government. since Prince Bismarck
about 20 years ago introduced in Germany
the American system of protection, or rather
in consequence of the high tariff levied on
all imported grain and other agricultural
estates are in a precarious condition. Though
the high tariff prices of their products have
increased indeed. but ground rent has in
creased also. Those aristocratic gentlemen
ally attributed to German farmers, viz: IN
duStry and frugality. 4 great many OF them
covered up with mortgages in proportion to
their artrifcially increased value. To get
rid Of this Indebtedness is the great amb-
ton of these noSln men mi, But they do net
process of saving money. No, indeed. They
want to amply the remedy prescribed by Mr..
Bryan: They cry for blmetaiiiSm, lnrerna
tional CT NATIONAL If thew only can be put
into position TO satisfy their mortgages by
paying silver worth 40 per cent of the geld
which they have received from the fuan-
cial men of Mr. BRYAN. viz: mostly savings
banks and ether public or semi-puhlic in
stitrticns Those are the men who succeed
ed in passing the resolution OF which Mr.,
Bryan is so proud ard who display much
admiration for him he ever met with
from his most ardent disciples in this coun-
try. But who are the people who defend the
gold standard in Germany, whom Mr.. Bryan
calls the financial men? They not SO
aristocratic as Mr.. Bryans friends. Foremost
among them
i. All the Liberals. without any execution.
2. All the representatives OF commerce.
8. All the sdherents OF Social Democracy,
composed exclusively CT wage-earners, count
ing about 3GG0 900 of voters.
never saw more fragrant violation OF
truth than Mr.. Brvans statement in regard
to the financial views OF the mass OF the
German people Sure be did not know bet
ter But would it not be kindness. both to
all of US ard to himself TO INVESTIGATES first
before making such statements with all tAe
vigor Of a seer and a prophet? I will not
pIy the old rule: "Falsus in uno falsus in
omribus." but I verify believe that mes,
of Mr. Rrvan's propositions, if properly test
ed, would not prove to be more solid than
his fancy about bimetallisJu in Germany.
DR.. n. Schrader.
st. Paul. Mimi. Jan. Is. 1898.