New-York tribune., 1891-05-05
SEEKING TO SHUT OUT FRANCE.
NEGOTIATIONS BEGUN FOR A RUSSO
GERMAN COMMERCIAL TREATY.
REASONS FOR RUssIA's ACTION-THE TREATY
BETWEEN AUSTRIA AND GERMANY
sIGNED-ITALY AND THE PROPOSED
VIENNA CONVENTION.

VIENNA CONN
Berlin, May 4-The work OF isoating France com
mercaly, begun by the German Austrian commercial
treaty which has just been signed and which is to last
twelve years. beginning in February, 1902, is proceed
Ing In satisfactory TO the orignators OF the
scheme II has already been announced that Germany
had opened negotiations with Russia with the view OF
arranging Russian cooperation in the projected
commercial union. Concert with Russia it was added
at first sight appeared improbable but under the Ger
man. Austrian treaty provision is made for treating
with other Powers recprocaly both countries being
able to offer Russia the benefits Of diferental tariff
It was to-day definitely announced that negotiations
for commercial treaty between Germany and Russia
had been begun and that Russia promises 10 treat the
matter with Hberality If the German Government will
support Russias proposition to abolish the intedction
at present placed by the treaty of Sal confirmed in
London in 1871 and in Berlin in 1879 upon tie pas
sage of warships through the Daraneles. The stand
which Russia has taken in this matter is due 70 the
fact that two Russian vessels belonging to the voun
teer feet, and loaded with military w0rRmen and MAJ
te al on their way to VladlvostOck. the eastern ter
minus of the TTans-Sberan Railroad, were stopped re-
Gently in the Dardanees under the provisions Of the
treaty referred to. The vessels allowed TO
proceed after the Russian Ambassador at CONSTANT
nople NJ de Nelidoef had protested vigorously against
their detention.
Dr. Won Boettcher, Secretary of the Imperial Home
Office in the Rechstag to-day, replying to question
as to how the Government intended to relieve the
pressure being felt by the people owing to the high
price of corn said that it impossible to discuss
the matter pending commercial arrangements wlnch
we're being made with other States. The crop pros
poets of the world generally added Dr. Won Boettcher
were not bad in view of the improvement recorded
during the last few days. 1t was not yet fully known
what quantity of breadstuffs available but Dr.
Won Boetcher hoped that it would suffice to meet the
reouirements should this not be the case the GOV
ernmeht would take special measures TO relieve the
pressure without losing sight of the farming interests
Of Germany.
Rome, May 4-The commercial treaty between Ger
many and Ausia-Hungary has become topic OF conf
ment by the press generally. 1t bids fair TO become
matter Of the greatest to the people Of the
United States. 1t is announced that Germany and
Austlia-Iungary have invited Italy, Switzerland and
Belgium to join in convention at Vienna for the
avowed purpose of forming coalition of the Central
European States against protectohst countries. but
why states whose customs tariffs are constructed SO
uniformly for the purpose of protecting their Interests
as are those of Germany Austro Hungary ana itly
can give out as the for the proposed coauOh
the protectonism of other countries puzzle to those
who have carefully studied the SITUATION -,
1t is not yet known that Italy has consented 10 JON
the convention at Vienna. If she should IL wOulu
seem that The political ties Of the Triple Alliance are
Stronger than her commercial necessities for among her
best friends commercially Considered are France ana
france expired In 1857 faiys exports France have
fallen off largely, but France still remains one ,,d oi
ltalys best customers ltay's exports to Austria ana
Germany have fallen from 1917 100000 francs IN 1900
to 1s1ooo0oo francs in 1852 In the Il AYE 1ea d
600 francs. In 1890 the United States bought l3Q'
coo francs worth. The effective value OF the
league depends on the adhesion OF italy,
The fact that the AustroGerman commercial treaty
hss been signed does not prove conclusively that 1t
will ever be put into practical operation. 1t Is not
only sgsinst France but also against the United states
and all protectionists nations generally, that Germany
IS trying to form zollveren customs union, among
the countries of Central Europe But. If 1t was an
easy task for Bismarck to establish zoverein among
the several German States thirty years ago, thus
paving the way for the political unity Of the Father
land, it is more difficult now to form another zoll-
verein with foreign countries. The solemn act which
consecrated and admitted by the Frankfort treaty III
1871 the establishment of tic German Empire IS now
stumbling block considerably embarrassing that En-
pire in its attempts - form a general zoverein
Article NJ OF the treaty contains clause recprocay
granting the privileges Of the most favored nation
TO both of the contracting parties. Moreover, that
treaty was not commercial convention but u
solemn treaty of peace which can be broken only by
a declaration of Therefore France viii enjoy all
commercial favors granted by Germany TO other
Powers though the latter prc1ends that Article NJ
cannot have any force such favOrs are granted BY
a customs convention, instead of by regular CONNER
cial treaty A German paper, the "Allgemeine
Zeitung" Of Munich goes still further aud asserts
that France having resolved 10 nave eealter HI Eg
cral tariff and not 10 conclude any more Ieatlos
Of commerce Germany mas rGgaeH tp bn 1GeoS ire Fn Gi
fort treaty should thus become unilateIs' (that Is,
obligatory for only one OF its two slgnesl sun II
remains obi CatOry, admitted BY the FraniIurter
Zcitung which does hesitate to call "nonscnsca"
the reasoning OF the Munich paper The political sub
sorvence of Austria 10 Germany Is sufficient to explain
i6e signing Of the treaty BY the Vienna Government,
and the npdy e Tt Wcn wer ope5ea g oSt pem6
suspended during February and March ana resumed & on
If France sticks to the rights granted her by the most
favored aion" clause Of Article XI Of the Frankfort
treaty.