St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-05
OUR GERMAN FRIENDS.
How Bismarck is Discriminating
Against American Products.
Not Satisfied with Shutting Out Our Pork,
he Tries the Same Game on
Petroleum.
[specIal Telegram 10 ths Globe. |

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.-The movement In con-
gress one year ago for commercial relations to-
ward Germany and France because OF the re-
strctive edicts OF the governme Mt of those two
countries as 10 American pork products, was
much affected by statement In the message OF
the president that a better understanding was
probable with those countries. The message of
the president contained u sharp passage on retail.
alton. That passage was published In an advance
copy OF the message furnished TO the Associated
Press, and the canceling order from the White
house did not reach remote parts in time to pre-
vent the duplication OF the message with that
passage n II, bat in the official copy sent 10 con-
gress this paragraph did not occur. The reason
10 said TO have been that cores spondence had led
our government TO believe that a more friendly
position would be taken. The expectation has
not been realized. France has gone a step far
ther and Is endesvoring to increase the tariff
upon American cereals bominally 10 give further
protection to the French farmers. Bismarck's
government also has not shown any disposition to
maintain friendly commercial relations with this
country. The obstacles TO expectation Cf our
pork products TO Germany have not been removed
and now another OF our most important exports
Is threatened. The German government Is en-
desvoring indirectly 10 strike blow at our pc
troleum export trade, In the interest, undoubt-
edly. OF owners OF Russian oil wells. This has
been manifested In various ways. The govern
nent railroads, for instance, running from Ger
many 70 Russia, have given especial advantages
for the transportation Of Russian Dc.
jroleum. Like advantages are not afforded
to those who wish 10 transport American peiro-
leum from the seaboard TO the interior, and now
under the guise OF protection 10 the German
oooperage interest il is proposed to lay an import
tax upon barrels which contain American petro-
eum. The proposition is TO impose q tax Of ten
marks upon the barrels &c wooden ware. The
effect OF this, OF course, would be 10 impose an
additional import tax upon petroleum Itself. The
oil would no; only be required 10 pay its duty,
but there would be doty upon the barrel con
tanning it. Like regulation Is already made as to
much Of petroleum as IL exported In
tin cans. The German Authorities say thai
the claim that this new import
Is for the protection Of the German eoopers is
unfounded, and thA: the statistics OF the Last five
years show that ss per cent. OF the oil barrels
shipped to Germany are returned to this country
empty and tnat > greater portion Of the re-
nsinder are kept in Switzerland and Austria, be-
cause iiis improbable to psy the freigh; upon
hem bzek TO the seaboard. The small portion
Of these barrels which remains in GeTnsny is,
for the NOS; part, broker 50 that the cooper
age interest is not endangered. This
1~v effort Of Germany has, o, eonrse. for its
only object 10 make the competition ofAneriean
petroleug With the pToduet q the Russian oil
wells still more diaeaIt The addition os this
TAX to American barrels vOaA make . very
marked diseriniaatIoa agGins, the American In
port2t5Ors, a. compared vfih those from Russia.
There ear Be little Doubt ths; sseh eiseriusina-
toa Is contrary 70 tne spirit f Tot the let;er Of
the most favored nation clause Of o1r treaties
with Gerz2oy.