THE QUESTION OF WHEAT. 



357 



prohibiting the exports of all kinds of cereals except wheat, and 

 in November the prohibition was extended to wheat. As Ger- 

 many obtained more than eighty-five per cent of its imported 

 rye and more than half of its imported wheat from Russia, the 

 measure was at once reflected in the prices of grain throughout 

 Europe. The first explanation was that Russia sought to retaliate on 

 Germany for the open hostility of Bismarck to Russian financial 

 operations in Germany; but this explanation was based upon a mere 

 supposition, and one that could not account for the general condition 

 of the wheat market outside of Germany. The true reason came to 

 light slowly, and in spite of the efforts of the Russian Government to 

 conceal the gravity of the situation. It was a true famine from 

 which Russia suffered. Both the spring and winter wheat gave very 

 unsatisfactory returns, and one third of the provinces were appeal- 

 ing to the Government for the means to feed their people. The 

 harrowing descriptions of extreme sufferings, of fearful destruction 

 of men and cattle throughout the stricken regions, and of the com- 

 parative impotency of the administration to cope with the emer- 

 gency, startled the civilized world, and brought aid even from the 

 United States. So great a deficiency in Russia as almost to prohibit 

 exports Avas aggravated by the very poor returns of grain crops 

 throughout Europe. The price of a pood of wheat at four great 

 markets of Russia was : 



This range of prices is sufficient to warrant the name of famine year 

 to 1891, an experience from which Russia did not recover until 

 1894, and from which important lessons in administration were 

 drawn. 



Scarcely had the full effects of the deficiency of 1891 been 

 realized when a new complication arose in the serious commercial 

 rupture with Germany. A treaty of commerce was in process of 

 negotiation between the two powers. German manufacturers, who 

 enjoyed a large market in Russia, complained that discriminating 

 duties were imposed upon their products on the frontiers, and com- 

 mercial treaties with other states were imposing obstacles on their 

 operations. Russia assumed that Germany was dependent upon her 

 for cereals, and desired as liberal concessions on grain as were given 

 to any outside power. Germany had determined to yield no point 



