The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-12-13

tenth article of the subsisting treaty between
the United States and Prussia. By this ar
ticl, the consuls of the two countries have
had the right to sit as judges and arbitrator
| in such difference as may arise between the
captains and crews Of the vessels belonging
to the national whose interests are commit
ted to their change, without the interference
of the local authorities, unless the conduct
ofthe crews or ofthe captains should dis
turb the order or tranquility of the country,
the said consuis should require their assis-
lance to cause their decisions to be carried
into effect or supported.
| The Prussian consul at New Bedford, in
June, 1914, applied to Mr.. Justice Story to
carry into effect decision made by him
between the captain and crew of the Pruss-
ian ship Borussii.; but the request was refu-
sed on the ground that, without previous
legislation by Congress-, the judiciary did not
posses power TO give effect 10 this article of
the treaty. The Prussian Government,
through their minister here, have complain
ed of this violation of the treaty, and have
asked the Government of the United States
to rdopt the necessary measures to prevent
similar violations hereafter GOOD faith to
Prussia, as we'll as to other nations with
whom we have similar treaty stipulations,
requires, that these should be faithfully OBJ
served. have deemed it proper, therefore,
10 lay the subject before Congress, and to
recommend such legislation as may be nee
essary to give effect to these treaty obliga-
tiens.
By virtue of an arrangement made be-
tween the Spanish government and that of
the United States in December, 1881 Amer
lean vessels, since the twenty-nnth of April
1882, have been admitted to entry in the
ports of Spain, including those of the Bal
carlo and Canary Islands, on payment of
the same tonnage duty of five cents per ton,
as though they had been Spanish vessels;
and this, whether our vessels arrive in
Spain directly from the United States, or
indirectly from any other country. When
Congress, by the act of the twentieth of Ju-
ly, 1882, gave effect to this arrangement
between the two governments, they con fin
ed the reduction of tonnage duty merely to
Spanish vessels ''coming from port in
Spain," leaving the former discriminating
duty foreman against such vessels coming
from port in any other country.
| 1t is manifestly unjust that, whilst Amer
lean vessels, arriving in the ports of Spain
from other countries, pay no more duty
than Spanish vessels, Spanish vessels arriv-
ing in the ports of the United States from
other countries should be subjected to heavy
discriminating tonnage duties. This is nei-
Their equality nor reciprocity, and is in vio-
| latlon of the arrangements concluded in
December, 1881, between the two countries.
The Spanish Government have made repai-
ted and earnest circumstances against the
inequality. and the favorable attention of
Congress has been several times invoked to
the subject by my predecessors. recon-
mend as an act of justice to Spain, that this
inequality be- removed by Congress. and
TIIdt rue discriminating duties which have
been levied under the act of the thirteenth
of July, 1882, on Spanish vessels. coming to
the UnItnd States, from any other foreign
country, he refunded. This recomme ndation
does not embrace Spanish vessels arriving
in the United States from Cuba and Porto
Rico. which will still semain subject to the
provisions of the act of Juno, thirtieth, 1884
concerning tonnage duty on such vessels.
By the act of the 18th of July, 1892, coffee was
exempted from, duty altogether This exemp-
ton was universal, without reference to the coun-
| try where it was produced, or the national char
acter OF the vessel in which it was import ed By
the tariff act of the Goth of August, 1912, this
exemption from duty was restricted to coffee
/ imported in American vessels from the place of
| It's production; whilst coffee imported under all
other circumstances was subjected TO duty of
| 20 per cent, ad valorem. Under this act and
our existing treaty with the King of the Neither
lands, Java coffee imported from the European
| ports OF that kingdom into the United States,
4 ,koetx III II
pays this rate of duty The Government Of the
Netherlands complains that such discriminat.
/ ing duty should have been imposed on coffee,
the production of one of IFS colonies, and which
lis chiefly brought from Java to ports of that
kingdom, and exported from thence to foreign
countries. Our trade with the N Netherlands is
| highly beneficial tob both countries, and our re-
latlons with them have ever been Of the most
1riendly character Under all circumstances of
| the case, recommend that this discrimination
should be abolished, and that the coffee of Java
imported from the Netherlands be placed upon
the same footing with that imported directly
/ from Brazil and other countries where it is pro-
dueed.
Under the eighth section of the tariff act of
1.-THE 3Oth OF Angus, 1912, duty of Is cents per
lgellon was imposed on Port wine in casks
while. on the red ines of several couUtries
! VIII ell importedin casks, a duty of only s cents
/ per gallon was imposed. This d. Discrimination
| SO far as regarded the Port wine of Portugal.
was deemed violation OF our treaty with that
/ Power, which provides that "no higher or other
duties shall be imposed on the importation into
! the United States of America of any artiel the
! growth. produce. or manufacture of the king
dom and possessions OF Portugal. than such as
are or shall be payable on the like Gle being
the gro with, produce,or manufacture of any 9TH
er foreign country,
/ Accordingly, to give effect to the treaty. as
we'll as to the intention of Congress. expressed
In proviso to The tariff act itself, that nothing
therein contained should be SO construe as to
interfere with subsisting treaties with foreign
nations. treasury circular was issued on the
| 10Th of July. 1874. which among other thinns