The new Session of the Prussian Diet was opened on
Tuesday, when Herr von Beth mann Hollweg, as Minister- President, read the Speech from the Throne. It did not mention the Franchise Bill. Afterwards Dr. Lentze, the new Minister of Finance, explained, according to the Times corre- spondent, that the estimated deficit for 1909 was 27,790,000, but the realised deficit was only £1,170,000,—a recovery of more than £6,000,000. This was due to the improvement in the railway, forest, and mining revenue. The results for the financial year 1910 would also be much better than the Estimates, and he looked for a deficit—and that partly nominal—of only about £2,000,000. For the financial year 1911 there appeared an estimated deficit of £1,450,000, but in reality there would be no deficit at all. He nevertheless urged economy. If that were practised, no new loan would be necessary in the coming year.
