General von Caprivi, the German Chancellor, spoke on Thursday in
defence of the new Zollverein of Central Europe, and made a speech full of a kind of ability. He defended the partial protection of agriculture still maintained, on the distinct ground that Germany must be able to feed herself in time of war, when all foreign supplies might be cut off. His experience as a soldier had convinced him that the next war would depend on the feeding of the Army and the nation. It was necessary, however, to adopt Free-trade in part, because Germany required an ex- pansion of her markets. Moreover, the States included in the Triple Alliance could not go on hurting each other with hostile tariffs, and still remain friendly. Italian wines, for example, would now be able to do battle with French wines in Germany. Wars nowadays are waged by peoples, not Princes, and impoverished peoples are not strong. The increase of population made larger markets a necessity, if only to counteract the attractions of emigration. "Germany must either export wares or men." The whole speech leaves an im- pression that the present rulers of Germany are at heart in favour both of peace and Free-trade, though the "circum- stances of the country" compel them both to keep armed, and to maintain Protection for cereal products.
