It is demi-officially stated that an arrangement was made during
Prince Bismarck's visit to Vienna for a commercial treaty between Germany and Austria, and extra-officially added that it may include the Christian States of the Balkan, which are shortly to be commercially related to Austria. It is very difficult to see how such a treaty is to be arranged, without interference with Prince Bismarck's Protectionist policy. Hungary and the Balkan States want to export food freely to Germany, and Germany, never over-supplied, can find a market for it ; but then how is the landed interest to be compensated for tie loss of its new protective duty P Germany cannot, under the most favoured-nation clause, keep out Russian and American corn alone ; and though the German Chambers of Commerce have petitioned for the abandonment of that clause, such a change will take much time. Moreover, if the frontiers of Austria and Germany are to be effaced for com- mercial purposes, they must adopt the same tariffs, and Prince Bismarck will virtually settle the Austrian Customs duties. As a matter of fact, unlimited access to Hungary and the Balkans for food is a first condition of popular well-being in Berlin.
