them much intelligence, a capacity for work, and in very many instances adequate capital.

If those in power in Europe could but turn their attention from political intrigue to higher economic considerations on which the prosperity of nations are formed, they might see the wisdom of reducing their present excessive expenditure in the way of armaments and the consequent destructive pressure of taxation. As the matter stands now, jealousy and competitive alarm compel each country to maintain an army at least as much on a par as possible, or even superior to its neighbors and nominal allies.

The offers which the United States can make to the young and energetic are enticing enough, without being made more attractive through the contrast between the freedom of our country and the oppressive burdens imposed on the people all over Europe.

HENRY B. RYDER,

CONSULATE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

Copenhagen, March 20, 1882.

Consul.

GERMAN EMPIRE.

Annual report, by Consul-General Brewer, of Berlin, for the years 1880

and 1881.

UNITED STATES CONSULATE-GENERAL,

Berlin, November 12, 1881.

I have the honor to submit to the Department the annual report of this office, respecting the trade, commerce, and industries of the German Empire. It being quite evident to me that the information called for by the regulations can best be given, when possible, in tabular form, much of the time and labor required in the preparation of this report has been devoted to the compilation of the thirty-six tables herewith submitted. By these tables I am enabled to give, in the most concise and practical manner, a complete general view of the affairs of this empire.

The contradictory opinions on the general condition of German trade and industry in 1880 could hardly be better illustrated than by a comparison of the annual reports of German boards of trade. Some still oppose the new customs policy of the government, and claim that but for the increased duties exacted since 1879, German trade would be at present in a more favorable condition, while others energetically sustain the changes made in the tariff laws. It is, however, on all sides admitted that Germany is laboring under an over production, and that it is very difficult to find a market for all her manufactured wares. Still, as will be seen from figures hereafter given, during the last calendar. year there has been an increase of exports with a simultaneous decrease of imports, which certainly indicates for Germany a change for the better. The returns of the German Zollverein show the imports to have been:

In 1877.

In 1878.

In 1879.

$1,177,271, 760 1. 138, 023, 1-0 1, 174, 46, 541

I am unable to give the value of the exports, as the government kept no official record of the same previous to 1880.

In the year last mentioned extraordinary imports were made in anticipation of the new tariff, which went into full effect January 1, 1880.

The exports in 1880 amounted to $1,091,836,000, while the imports. amounted to $1,057,997,000, netting an excess of exports of $33,839,000 over the imports. It is proper to mention that these items include goods in transit. Returns published in 1881 show a continuous increase in the exports, especially of iron, chemical, and glass manufactures.

Prince Bismarck's new economic policy is the paramount topic of discussion in papers, clubs, and public meetings all over Germany. The ever-increasing population of the empire (about 600,000 souls annually). renders it imperatively necessary that correspondingly new ways and means and additional facilities should be provided for employment and subsistence; and in order to suppress and keep off discontent and poverty, and to check the growing political uneasiness, it behooves the German Government to foster all enterprises, public or private, which offer employment to the people. Apart from the creation of an economic council, the reduction of direct taxes, and the increase of customs duties, the following measures may be mentioned, which are contemplated by many as being fit ones to meet the exigencies of the times, viz, a laboringman's accident, &c., insurance institution, the reconstruction of trade guilds to better the training and skill of German mechanics, the grant of State bounties to shipping, and the introduction of a discriminating duty (surtaxe d'entrepôt). In addition to these steps it is proposed to build new canals and to improve and enlarge the old ones, &c. It is also insisted that German consules missi should be more numerous, the latest publications showing only 55 consules missi among 627 consular offices. None of these measures can, however, be carried out except by the concurrence of the Reichstag; and as the last Reichstag, on the whole, rather opposed Prince Bismarck's projects in the directions above referred to, the meeting of the new Diet is looked forward to with extraordinary interest, and speculation is rife as to what course will be pursued. The elections for the Reichstag took place on the 27th ultimo, and the result was quite contrary to what was expected. The national liberals and free conservatives lost heavily. It is quite evident that Bismarck's influence in the Diet will be considerably diminished, and he will find it difficult to carry out his projects unless he can succeed in bringing over to his support a number of the members of the Diet who have seemingly been chosen by those who oppose his policy. He again threatens to resign the chancellorship, and undoubtedly he will feel compelled to do so unless concession shall be made by himself as well as by the majority of the new Diet.

AGRICULTURE.

To show the area and agricultural products of the German Empire in 1878, 1879, and 1880, Exhibit A is submitted.

EXHIBIT A.-Table showing the area and production of crop of the German Empire in 1880,

1878, 1879.

It will be seen therefrom that last year's productiou was somewhat ess than that in 1879, and considerably less than in 1878. The rye crop decreased most considerably, and the price of rye went up unusu ally, it being higher than that of wheat; the potato crop, however, was uncommonly large. As to the crop in 1881, definite figures of the yield are not yet obtainable. In general, this season's yield is reported to be no better than that in 1880, with the exception of the wheat and potato crops. The latter, especially, is stated to be more abundant than for many years past. The prices of cereals and flour were reported as follows, in the months of July, August, and September, 1880 and 1881:

50, 425

28, 739

34,955

96, 451

28, 559

25, 683

6, 198, 106

14. 597, 798

9, 840, 503 24, 163, 403

5,977, 676
285, 630

Wine (galls.)
81, 591, 226

From Exhibit B, which follows, it will again be seen that the imports of cereals are considerably larger than the exports during the year ended June 30, 1881. The imports of flour have been materially influenced by the increase of the rate of duty from 2 to 3 marks per 100 kilograms since the 1st of last July. While the average imports in the first five months of this year amounted to 63,107 double cwt.;* in June to 112,329 double cwt., they fell in July to 59,376, in August to 22,202, and in September to 26,952 double cwt.

EXHIBIT B.-Table showing the quantities of principal cereals, also potatoes, produced, imported, and exported during the year ending June 30, 1880 and 1881.

In the harvest year ending June 30, 1881, there were 220,997 tobacco planters against 159,061 in the preceding year, and 5,971,457 acres under cultivation against 4,266,421 in 1880, producing a total quantity of tobacco in ripe, air-dry state of 113,369,506 pounds against 62,498,700 pounds in 1880, the value being $8,694,658 in 1881 and $5,097,950 in the preceding year.

A German double cwt. is equal to 220 pounds English weight.

BEET-SUGAR INDUSTRY.

Concerning the beet-sugar industry, a few explanatory remarks may not be out of place. How much the influence is appreciated of the cultivation of sugar beets upon agriculture and national welfare may be seen from a few passages extracted from a very valuable treatise by Richard von Kaumann on sugar industry (published by L. GuttentagD. Collin, Berlin), in which it is stated that

It is an established fact that, notwithstanding the extensive cultivation of sugar beets, no decrease in the yield of cereals has taken place, but has, on the contrary, augmented by double and treble the amount in the districts where sugar beets are planted, and that at those very places the production of meat is steadily increasing. The growth of sugar beets requires that the soil be tilled to a greater depth, thus adding to the thrift also of other plants to be cultivated later on the same soil. Besides the remnants or waste left in the manufacture of beet sugar furnishes not only an excellent food for cattle, but also a fertilizing stuff, dispensing to a considerable extent with the use of artificial manure. But the profit is also considerable which this industry affords people who work in the sugar manufactories, as they get employment throughout the whole year, during the spring and summer seasons, in the growing and cultivation of the beets, and during the fall and winter in the manufactories.

Exhibit C is a statement showing the beet-sugar manufacture during the year ended August 31, 1881:

EXHIBIT C.-Table showing the results of the beet sugar manufacture during the year from September 1, 1880, to August 31, 1881.