The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1906-12-24
Germans Fear New Problem
VIII Arise at Election.
POLES URGED TO EMIGRATE
Effort to Colombo German Farmers
Having Failed, Many OF the NAL
contents Are offered Homes Else
vvhere-Anti-Opium Agitation I'm
the Malayan Peninsula.

hight, and 1t is now suggested that II
viii play an important part during the
coming Reichstag election. An article
in the Kreuzzeitung, proposing a novel
solution, has, therefore. created coHsid-
cradle sensation and is being widely
discussed throughout the empire. The
article points out that, encouraged by the
prospect of lettering their material con-
dition, many Poles have Of late years
emigrated to the western industrial dis
tTicts of Prussia. which action has given
rise to complaints from those politicians
who desire 10 keep Prussia for the Prus-
slams.
Opinions differ. continues the article on
the question whether Germany is over
populated; but in any case the danger
that should an industrial crisis arrive a
considerable proportion Of the population
could not find the means Of sustenance is
not a mere phantom. Germany is far too
dependent on Industry, and the agTicul-
tural districts could not Immediately alb
sorb large numbers of men thrown out
Of work who are spoiled for field labor.
The present boom cannot continue for
ever, and an industrial crisis may over
take US sooner than we imagine. our
political existence would be considerably
bettered If we We're rid Of the unquiet
element among the Poles.
The policy Of settling German farmers
in Prussian Poland, which has cost Sl25
O00,O4 has not improved the political
aspect II the Polish question. and another
method of dealing with It must be sought.
Force cannot, Of course. be applied. for
the Poles are German subjects, and the
only alternative for the government is to
encourage Polish emigration. The Poles.
however would be disiuclined toward
such a project unless some goal worthy
Of their aspirations were shown then-a
suitable land Of the future for them.
Canada is such a land. Poles would sue
coed in Canada where other immigrants
fail. They are, for the most part, farm
crs. and far better able to weather the
Canadian climate than Southern Slavs
Italians, &c. Canada would eagerly ac-
cept strong. able-bOdied European immi-
grants, and Canadian soil is fabulOusly
fertile. and, in view Of these cir
CumStances and Of the fact Nthat the
Canadian government IS opening up vast
tracts for settlement. Canada seems emf
nently suitable 10 become the future home
Of the Polish population. If cur govern
ment were asked If Il were disposed 10
further Polish emigration 10 Canada, il
would undoubtedly reply. with the
greatest pleasure" and the political par
ties would also welcome such "A project
50 long as no compulsory measures were
taken In this way advantage would ac-
Crue TO both Germans and Poles. The
project could be carried out successfully
only If organized on a large scale and il
the government were willing 10 be open
handed IN granting the necessary emigra-
ton premiums.
It does not frequently happen that Pc
nanE. On Prince Of Wales Island. near
the Malay Peninsula. appears as the
source of important movements. but news
has reached here OF an anti-opium agita-
ton in Malaga that can only be de-
scribed as colossal. So rapidly has Ii
spread and SO popular has it become that
Il reminds one more Of a stirring political
campaign in the United States. or of a
Welsh revival, than Of movement IN
dertaken by the stolid Chinese When
the news of the development first came
from China a few enthusiasts took I'D
the matter in Singapore and opened a
free hospital for the cTre of smokers, but
very little progress was made. A few
weeks ago. however. a weIl-to-do China
man in Kuala Lumpur. the capital Of
Selaugor, received from China specimens
OF a plant which was said to be a cure
for the opium habit A short search re-
veaIed the fact that the plant grew freely
in SelangOr in a wild state. and i'm a
very short time q quantity was obtained
and active operations commenced. The
leaves Of the plant, which appears to be
a shrub somewhat akin TO gambler, are
exposed TO the sun for a day. then
chopped fine and roasted. after which an
Infusion is made and the specific is ready
fer use The first man experimental upon
was coolie employed by European lady.
and although he was a confirmed opium
smoker be was pronounced cured in a
week. Now an anJi-0pium society has
been formed in kuala Lumpur and the
specific is distributed free, while so great
has become the demand for the opium
plant" as the Chinese cali it. that those
who gather the leaves in the Jungle de-
mand exorbitant prices for them. The
dispcnsaries established for the distribu-
ton of the specific are hard pushed to
keep UP with the demand the applicants
IT, KUala LUmpur alone numbering over
200. daily.
The anti-opiumists claim to have cured.
in the few short weeks since the plant
was discovered, over 1900 people in the
Kuala Lumpur district alone, and the
statement appears to be cOrroborated by
Z 2 faa rt-i.f oh iG bad nv y-4
ncr in the opium farm. who is naturally
deeply interested in the matter. that the
receipts Of the opium shops in and around
Kuala Lumpur have fallen off by two
thirds. while several shops have had to
close for lack OF custom.
Contrary to a statement published in the
London newspapers to the effect that the
opinion prevails in authoritative circles at
! Copenhagen that before Denmark can
agree to enter into fresh constitutional
negotiations with Iceland she must insist
on a general CONSUMPTION among the
youths of the island for service in the
Danish fishery inspection vessels in Ice
landic waters, it can be stated on author
itative information that the Danish gov
eminent not only contemplates no such
| scheme, but must be regarded as absO-
lutely opposed to it.
| Official confirmation comes from Sydney
to the report that an immense irrigation
scheme for watering L35S,O0O acres of rich
/ agricultural land in the Murrumbidgee
Valley. New South Wales. will be estab-
/ lished by the government with the view
of erecting a close settlement area of
intense cultivation.
The AUgemeine .Zeitung, of Vienna, pub