New-York tribune., 1902-01-09
GERMAN FINANCES POOR.
GLOOMY VIEWS OF KAISER AND SECRE.
TARY OF THE TREASURY.

Berlin. Jan. s-The speech from the throne read
by the Imperial Chancellor. Count Won Buow, at
the opening of the Prussian Diet to-day, took
gloomy view OF the economic situation. 1t pointed
out that the from the State railroads in
1901 falls considerably short of the estimates. and
that the whole results Of the financial year
disappointing
In the budget for 1902 the revenue is estimated
below that of the current year but the balance
between the revenue and the expenditure is to be
maintained without having recourse TO a loan.
The speech announced legislation providing for
the housing of State workmen and officials earn
ing small salaries. Considerable credits are de-
manded for the extension OF the State railroads
and the promotion and construction of light rail-
roads
new canal bill will be submitted to complete
the system waterways
Emperor williams speech concluded with point
ing TO the necessity of adopting measures against
the agitation in the Polish districts Of Eastern
Prussia. declared that the upholding OF the poti-
cal and economic position of the German element
there necessary for the self-preservation or
Prussia. and promised that the government would
fulfil its duty in cultivating the German national
spirit in that region. and in combating with firm
ness all tendencies hostile to the State In this
course the government counted the support Of
the German population of East Prussia, as well as
the assistance OF the whole nation. which re-
garded any attempt to drive out the German Ian
guage as an attack its national honor and dig
nifty.
Won THIELMANN NOT OPTIMISTIC.
The Rechstag reassembled to-day. after the
Christmas recess with somewhat slim attend
ance, and the discussion OF the estimates com
menced Baron Thielmanns statement of the
financial situation Of the empire even more
pessimstic the subject Of the declining trade OF
Germany than his earlier utterances in this con-
nection. He said:
My former references to the deterioration of the
financial position. which regarded in many
=
fairs have become even more unfavorabe than We
preston the receipts have fallen off considerably
and the M Individual States Of the empire ARE no
Especially Is this so in the case of the small
Thtringer States.
Baron Won Thielmann further declared that the
Budget for 1901 the worst in years and that
the greatest difficulty experienced in main
tanning balance between the revenue and expend-
ture in the estimates for 1902.
Count Won Stolberg-W Werngerode (Conservative)
the next speaker. discussed the economic crisis and
urged the creation of fresh sources of revenue.
Proceeding TO discuss generally the friendly rela-
tons existing between Germany and other coun-
tries the count denounced the references of
Mr.. Chamberlain, the British Colonial Secretary to
the German Army.
REBUKE TO MR.. CHAMBERLAIN.
Count Buow followed. He said:
The last speaker alluded to a reference an Eng
conduct in the Franco German War. / believe
agree with as that when a minister considers him
self called 10 Justify his policy-and such a
thing may happen-he does well to leave foreign
countries out OF the discussion.
This statement greeted with remarks of ap-
proval from the House.
Continuing, the Chancellor said:
Should he, however. wish to adduce examples
from abroad il is advisable that he should proceed
with caution. as otherwise he may incur the risk
Of not only being misunderstood. but. also OF hurt
ing foreign feelings, even though, as ready to
assume. there was in the OF the present in
stance no intention Of doing. This ia more re-
grettabe when ii happens in the case of countries
which have always maintained their friendly rela-
tiOns undisturbed, continuance of which Is equal
ly to the interest Of both parties It is quite com
prehensible that people which has become so
thoroughly part and parcel OF it's glorious army as
in Germany, should revolt at any appearance OF
history of our glorious struggle for national unity
being misrepresented. but the German army
stands much too high and it's escutcheon is too
bright for them to be affected by warpened judg-
ments. Such a critic. in the words Of Frederick
the Great concerning traducers of himself and
the German army, is simply biting granite"