The age-herald., 1900-12-23
GERMANY TALKING
 ABOUT BIG CRIMES
The Sentence of the Millionaire
 Banker a Sensation
MORE BANKERS IN TROUBLE
The Coal Situation Excites Much Sharp Discussion and Will Give Animus to the Forthcoming Reichstag.
 Other Subjects Considered.

Berlin, December %. = Public attention was occupied this week with crimes in high places. The sentence imposed on Sternberg, the millionaire banker, of two and half years imprisonment and five years deprivation of civil rights for crimes against morality satisfies the public con science and is well merited retribution. Sternberg rapidly acquired fortune, estl mated at $1S,OOO,0OO by shady methods, and maintained social relations with high of- ficials and military men for years, while disgusting his most loathsome crimes in the lowest of Berlin. He was related by marriage to high officers and was free giver for charitable purposes. It was said Tn his defense belore the colr st he had made a will leaving to the Prussian gov ernment the bulk of his fortune to estab- fish an institution for insuring laborers against loss of work. The case of Stern berg is working widespread ruin among others. The death of Von Meerscheidt Hu- ellessem, the suspended chief of the crimi- nal department, announced at the same hour as Sternberg's sentence. had a pe- culiarly tragical effect. The public in stantly assumed that he had committed suicide, but the physicians certify that he died of apoplexy
 Von Meehscheidt established reputation by introducing the Bertillon anthrometric system in Germany. The case of Stern berg will continue long to occupy the pub lie mind. It is said Sternberg will appeal again to a higher court Furthermore, numefous prosecutions of persons connect ed with the Sternberg case are pending for perjury and other court offenses.
 It is authentically reported that the au- thorites are preparing a measure for re- form of the police system.
 Mortgage Bankers Arrested.
 The other great case this week, the arrest of Mortgage Bankers, attracts an immense amount of attention. The press is point ing out the resemblance to the Sternberg affair, since wealthy bankers, moving in the highest society, have carried on fraudulent practices for years. The chief offender, Sanden, made pretense of the greatest pie. ty. He had a private chapel in a luxurious villa at Potsdam. His home was the center of the highest military and aristocratic so- ciety. He was Potsdams wealthest citi- zen, paying 5000 marks yearly in taxes. II has been shown that Sandens' business practices were most questionable. He would compel borrowers at the bank to buy one of his lots at fancy price. The losses will fall heavily on small investors. The fall in the shares obligation of the two banks already represents about 75000, GOO marks. It Is considered that the arrested directors will get long terms of imprison- ment for falsifying the balance shots.
 The tariff question was most actively dis cussed this week. The announcement of the conservative leader, Herr von Klinck- eSwstroem, that the chancellor. Count von Buelow, is willing to promise faith with the agrarians, makes a deep impression. Signs multiply, however, that the commercial classes are growing more united against the agrarian demands
 Coal Situation.
 The coal situation eXcites mulch sharp discussion and will give animus to the forthcoming Reichstag debate on the reso- luton providing for government control of the trusts.
 The press is again engaged in a periodi- cal discussion of absenteeism in the Reich stag. Among the remedies suggested the Post suggests circulating list daily for the signatures of attendants and its pub Hcation in the official ReichSzangier, monthly. It is reported that the govern ment is at last convinced of the necessity for paying members and is preparing a bill accordingly,
 Emperor Williams decree lengthening medical study as a remedy for the over production of physicians, meets with the approval of the profession. In connection herewith official statistics published this week show that over-crowding of the med ical profession in the large cities is plain. Berlin has one physician to every 798 of the population, Breslau one to every 775. Haliee one to every 735 and Koenigsberg one to every ..S1.