Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-19
8 DIPLOMATIC SHAM

The retal;atory proposition relative to
tae exclusion of American hog products
from Germany aa5 France has become
very much more important question than
was anticipated, and is one Of the leading
topics Of press consideration throughout
the country. The policy of retalia.
ton is now doubted by some OF
the papers. The balance OF trade az
to articles ;re would ind reason to pro-
scribe is not in our favor, and there are be-
ing raised objections by commercial jour.
nails 20 any further interference with trade
relations between the countries. Both
France and Germany could stand heavy
shave Of exports, and in return cripple us
by further exclusions Bat f1g all this we
are satisfied that the retaliatory policy
would be wise It would bring about
diplomatic consultation, and lead TO an adj
justment OF the whole matter on proper
basis, or else the establishment OF new
tariff regulations by the Germans, to
which OF course we could not OBJ
ject. But we are fully justified in
the application of the severest measures,
because Germany and France not only ex.
clude our goods, but give them bad
name, and thus iDjl7e she whole line of
trade, whether related 20 those countries
or not. L rouli be a very different mat
ter if the exclusion was marsod by high
protective tariff.
Some doubts have oeeu expressed as TO
the correctness OF the statement that the
German Government has prohibited the
passage of American meats through the
co V, and has EXTENDED the prohibition
to canned and other meats in sealed caTs.
We have examined the last Consular re-
ports on the subject, and ind that Consul
Mason of Blsle, Switzerland, fully con-
firms the report that the transit of Ameri-
can hog products through the German
Empire is forbidden. 4 copy of the OH
cial order Is annexed to the repor. in con-
frmation Of the charge. Mr. Mason says
taat the announcement of the proposed in
vestigation by our State Department upon
all the conditions Of hog raising in tha
country, and the preparation Of the yari.
Gus forms OF pork for export, mas invested
the vexed question of meat exports with
new and extraordinary interest in Europe.
The true reason for the exclusion of our
goods is a selfish one. The pretended
horror Of tricaiIe is mer,lY 4 diplomatic
sham to mask the real economic motive.
The result is to raise the retail prizes to
consumers of an article Of food, force the
people to use an inferior grade OF goods,
and limit the outgo Of money to the United
States. As Mr.. Mason correctly says, it
would be more manly and in the interests
of honesty if the German statesmen would
frankly admit that American meats being
cheaper and equaliyas good as the European
product, they feel obliged to lay an impost
duty upon foreign goods IN order to pro-
tect the home producer. But this they
"a not do, because it would be equiva-
|, admitting that a tax is laid on the
fo the people to promote the business
O. 5w producers, and such = confession
y, raise clamor that even the German
ponacian would fear. Hence the decep-
tive theory of diseased meats and the false
pretense of concernment for the health OF
the peOnle,