New-York tribune., 1902-02-13

TO be transformed TO meet the requirements Of
modern conditions Of industrial and business
life has been smaller than in any other Euro
pean capital. The problems of housing and
ministering to the comfort and convenience of
a vast industrial population have been simpler
here than in other Continental cities OF the first
rank, and the solutions have been complete and
satisfactory. Rapid as has been the growth of
Berlin during the last three decades. imperial
energy and municipal enterprise have kept fully
abreast with IT, The drainage OF new districts
has been scientifically ordered, streets have been
well lighted and paved and thoroughly cleaned,
unsanitary houses for working people have been
condemned on paper and their construction has
been prohibited. the suburbs have been brought
into rapid communication with the central belt.
so that the artisan class can be cheaply housed
and not Inconvenience by distance. and every
modern improvement in the greatest Of the new
arts-that OF ministering 20 the necessities and
comfort OF large masses OF urban workers-has
been adopted.
Tourists who spend few days in Berlin are
apt TO describe II as a prosaic and commonplace
capital, withou. the charm OF antiquity or pct-
uresque quaintness and resembling any other
large centre of industry. even in so new a coun-
try as America This judgment is superficial
ard is based on the rapid generalization that
large towns are alike the world over The chief
distinction OF Berlin IN reality IS that while II
is modern in form II offers a conspicuous exam
pie OF scientific efficiency OF municipal processes
and mechanism 1t is as well ordered and as
thoroughly maintained in all details as the
Krupp works at Essen. The highest ideal OF the
municipal reforms in any centre of population
10 which swarms OF new workers have been
drawn from farming sections is efficiency. That
ideal is carried out IN Berlin more adequately
haD IN arNy or ha-
be found ample evidence that while the popula-
tion has been multiplying eight or ten times in
the course Of half a century the legitimate
demands OF hives OF intelligent and progressive
workers have been met and the conditions. OF
life systematically improved. The streets
broad. Well paved and lighted and thoroughly
cleaned day by day; the drainage and water
supply are perfectly managed: there are breath
ing spaces and pleasure grounds in the poorest
districts; and transit from one section 70 an
other is as cheap as It is rapid. so that work
men have A wide range in the selection OF their
homes and are not compelled 20 live where they
are employed. Al! the exigencies OF modern con-
centration OF masses Of population within urban
limitations have been met in the German capi-
tai without experiments in coleCuvtsm such as
have been tried in many English and Scotch
provincial towns but by sheer force OF organi-
cation system and efficiency. Close observers
will be careful 10 discriminate between Berlin
and other large cities IN Europe and America,
and 10 assert that II is unlike them in bearing
on its face the evidence that the highest con-
ceptions OF municipal duties and possibilities
have been carried into practice the broadest
lines and in the most enlightened and practical
spirit
Berlin is not only a stately imperial capital
and an efficient municipal machine. but it is
also an educational centre Of the highest rank
in Europe and is attracting year by year an in
creasing contingent OF foreign students in medi-
cine music, sculpture and the arts The Ger
man Emperor. who is himself a sculptor. artist.
architect and musician. having inherited from
father and mother artistic temperament and
taste has done much to promote European in
terest in the university courses Of study the
collections at the museums and in the facilities
offered for education in art. Greater progress
has been made in sculpture than in painting.
but the German school in art is still in a tenta-
tive stage and the National Gallery is deficient
in modern work Of real creative power The col
lections in the museums however, compre
hensive and representative and the buildings
are admirably equipped for the requirements
of students. The university is exceptionally
strong in its faculty. and advanced education
in medical speciaIties is characteristic feature.
The facilities for musical instruction offered in
Berlin can hardly be surpassed on the CONT
nent, except possibly in Paris. and there is a
continuous series of concerts and operas dur
ing the greater part OF the year. Berlin cannot
rival the Latin Quarter. but its Importance as
a centre Of art education is steadily increasing
I. N F