Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-04-23

flee boys and worked up, possibly, to
be aldermen.
The government of the factory was
in the hands Of one or two aldermen
and council. These officers were
chosen from different towns of the
Hansa In rotation.
THE HANSA AT WAR.
The main Importance OF the league
depended upon the success of the mar
kets abroad, but these could be sue
cessful only by the support of the pow
erful leagues OF the towns.
Denmark. as more favorably situated
for maritime commerce than the towns
along the coast of the Baltic, seriously
felt the interference with her trade tina I !
came from the monopoly demanded by
the league, and it was unavoidable that
conflict should arise. a large part OIL
the fourteenth century was spent in
violent warfare on land and sea be-
tween Denmark and the Hansa. 1t be-
gan by King Waldemar in time of per-
feet peace: and without warning. seiz-
Ing and plunderlng the city OF Wisely. |
in Cortland which was one of the
leagues richest factory towns. This
blow was felt to be not only against
Wisely. but against all the Hansa
towns, and il they would preserve their
monopoly of trade they must fight.
The oldest existing document of the
AidilStdliC 10 one giving the pros
ceedings Of Il meeting of the delegates
OF seventy-sevcn cities, held in the
town hall of Cologne. In this il is
stated that because of the wrongs and
injuries done by the king of Denmark
TO the common German merchant the
cities would be his enemies and help
one another faithfully" Weak ana dis
tant cities might send cash subsidies in
stead of actively taking part in TN.
war. and cities that would not join
IN the war were dropped from the
league, and it's merchants and citizcna
would have nothing more TO do with
them. neither buying from nor selling
TO them nor allow their ships to enter
the league ports. Thus Inc power Of
the league is shown not only against
enemies, but against unruly members
OF its own union. cities and inlivid-
uals for disobedence to the authority
OF the league We're 'unhansed," MS it
was called-that it. deprived OF all
rights and privilcgos-and rchansint.
could only be obtained by accepting
humiliating conditions and payment of
Il vast sum.
The war against Denmark prospered
ana ended by the treaty of Stralsund
IN 1870. in which the llansa was recog-
hI@ed as Il iirst-class power.
POWER AND ORGANIZATION OF
THE HANSA.
The weakness OF tho holy Roman en-
pire is clearly shown by the fact That MI
or nearly all Of the cities COMPOSING tho
League were part of the empire, set by
their association they formed a state
within a state. ana that. too. really
more powerful than the empire usott.
ono IS tempted Ia wonder what, would
nave been the result If n conflict had
arisen between tho empire and the
league. But ii was monopoly of COM
mcrcc for which the LEAGUE was nrht-
ing. and questions of general policy did
not concern it,
Great and powerful rs was the Ham
seattle league. little has come down f.
us IN writings concerning The otgaui-
eaton. hut we have minutes uI tho
proceedings Of their legislative and exc
cutiNe meetings. called diets. Although
there was no fixed place or time for
their assembling, Lubbock Nas tho citv
where they Were usually held and June
the month of meeting. Failure Of any
city 10 send Il delegate was Il serious
ollenSe. ana the excuse offered for the
failure was closely examined. II Tho
diet found tho excuse presented 90 be-
a mere Subtcrfugc to avoid the expense
OF sending II delegate Il heavy fine was
imposed. ana If tie absence were thrice
repeated the town offending might be
'unhansed.' Tardincss of deputy i'm
arriving was atoucd for only hy pay
mcnt of a gold mark for each day Of
delay, unless the delay could be proved
unavoidable.
One Of the burgomn sters of Lubbock
more often than others served as pres
idcnt Of the diet. The business con-
cerncd tho internal and external policy
of the league, the leNying ol money Tor
defense or other purpose. aud consider
ing reports from the foreign factories.
Questions of war and peace were de-
cidcd on by the diet. The courts of the
northern committees paid heed To
threat or Warnu. issued by The dict
more particularly il the seal Of l.uhrcl;
were attached to IL. In rcldin. TIN MIN
itcs Of the diet one u.s. Impressed with
the thoroughly buSincss-likc character
Of the league. Applications for :,lu,is-
sion 10 the Iiansc came from the cities
and were generally addressed - In
beck. but the diet took up the consider
alton of their claims ana resources tI-
mission WAS more often granted than
refused. FOR expense t. each member of
the league diminished "a The number
OF members grow. All cities were no;
admitted on an equal basis by any
means. Cor the business acuteness Of The
old members drew nice distinctions be-
tween the Importance or unimpnrinncc
of n new member. aud attached onlV -
ii its proportionato share of influence
inequalities in tho rank ana difference
in the location of the members often
produced conflict. Inland towns. for in
stance. did not have tho game interests
as those on the scaCoaSi. The question
Of war particularly was apt To lead To
discussion. as general approval for ono
was necessary and each town scnenl
wished 10 be relieved Of the burden az
war taxes. The personal interest Of each
town was the sole reason for entering
the league. and later whom this intcres,
could no longer be served no ono hest
tatcd tn abandon the allies. Nothing