Los Angeles herald., 1891-05-05
A TOPIC OF COMMENT
The AustrO- German CONNER
cial Treaty.
A Matter of Great Concern to
the United States.
Italy Invited to Cut Off Her Nose to
Spite Her Face.
Zollverein for the Commercial
Isolation of France.
A ssociated Press Dispatches.


ROME, May 4.-The commercial treaty
between Germany and Austro- Hungary
has become a topic of comment by the
press generally. In interested ulterior
consequences, it bids fair to become a
matter OF the greatest concern to the
people of the United States. 1t is an
nounced that Germany and Austro-
Hungary have invited Italy, Switzerland
and Be'guim to join in convention in
Vienna, for the avowed purpose of form-.
ing coalition of the central European
states against the protectionist coun-
tries. But what states, whose customs
tariffs are SO uniform for the purpose of
protecting their interests, as are those
of Germany, Austro-Hungary and
Italy, can give out as reason
for the proposed coalition against the
protectionism of other countries, is
puzzle to those who have carefully
studied the situation. 1t is not yet
known that Italy has consented to join
the convention at Vienna. If she
should, it would seem that the political
ties of the triple alliance are stronger
than her commercial necessities, for
among her best friends, commercially
considered, are France and the United
States. Italy's exports to Austria and
Germany have fallen from 1877 900 900
francs in 1885 to 1S1 900, 900 francs in
1889. In the latter year France bought
of Italy 164 ZOO, 900; in 1890, the United
States houoht 130 000 000
THE WORK OF IsoLATING FRANCE.
BERLIN, May 4-The work OF isolat-
ing France, commercially, commenced
by the German-Austrian commercial
treaty, which has just been signed, and
which is to last twelve years, is pro-
crossing in manner satisfactory to the
originators of the scheme. 1t has al
ready been announced that Germany
has opened negotiations with Russia,
with the view of arranging fpp Russian
cooperation in the projectesl eo mmercial
union. Cooperation with Russia at
first appeared improbable, but under
the German-Austrian treaty provision,
was made for treating with other powers
reciprocally, both countries being able
to offer Russia the benefits of differ
ential tariff.
NEGOTIATIONS WITH RUSSIA.
1t was today definitely announced
that negotiations for a commercial
treaty between Germany and Russia
have been commenced, and that Russia
promises to treat the matter with liber-
ality if the German government sup
ports Russia's proposition to abolish
the interdiction at present placed by the
treaty of 1S41 confirmed in London in
1871 and in Berlin in 1879 upon the
passage of warships through the Dar-
danelles. The stand which Russia has
taken in this matter is due to the fact
that two Russian vessels, belonging to
the volunteer fleet, and loaded with
military workmen and material on their
way to Vladivostock, the eastern ter
minus of the trans-Siberian railroad,
were stopped recently in the Dar-
danelles, under the provision of the
treaty referred to.
AN ANSWER DEFERRED.
BERLIN, May 4.-Dr. Van Boetticher.
in the reichstag, today, replying to
question as to how the government in
tended to relieve the pressure being
felt by the people, owing to the high
price of corn, said it was impossible
to discuss the matter, pending the ar
rangements being made with other
states