The morning call., 1893-10-28
RUSSO GERMAN COMMERCIAL
FRICTION.

A state of commercial war exists be-
tween Russia aud Germany which may
lead to serious consequences. On August
l of this year hostile tariffs were adopted
by both countries. Russia imposed dis
eliminating duty Of 20 and so per cent
above the regular duty on all importations
from Germany. and Germany retaliated by
raising her duties on all imports from Rus
sia 90 per cent. Such measures provoke
derision outside of the countries con-
cerned: they Will work as the embargoes
did in this country, but the commercial
consequences may be significant.
Russia consumed in 1S91-the last year
for which the tables are complete-S34.-
589, 900 worth of German goods and sent
to Germany S137 800. .83S worth of Russian
produce. The chief articles which Ger
many sent to Russia were textiles, iron
ana steel ware. machinery. leather and
miscellaneous manufactured goods. These
goods Russia will now get from England,
France, Austria. and the United States.
The chief articles imported from Russia
by Germany were cereals-wheat. rye,
oats, barley, Indian corn and buckwbeat
kerosene. wood and woodenware, eggs
total importation from Russia consisted Of
wheat, rye and barley. Germany will now
have to get what wheat she needs from
this country; we cannot supply her wants
in respect to rye and barley, for we have
70 surplus for export.
The position in which Germany has
placed herself seems to imply that Won
Caprivi is not much Of an improvement Oh
his predecessor, Bismarck, as a political
economist. In 1891 Germany consumed
163, 100000 marks worth of wheat over and
above her home production. OF tlis she
got 81. 100000 marks worth from Russia.
Her home crop of rye fell short of her con-
sumption by 137, 900, 600 marks worth.
Russia contributed $4,000, 600 marks worth
TO supply the deficiency. She used in the
manufacture of beer 1C4,O00000 marks
worth Of barley more than she grew.
Russia furnished one-third of the needed
quantity The Germans ate 56 coo, 900
marks worth Of eggs over and above the
quantity laid by German hens. Russian
hens supplied over one-third Of the deficit.
II amburg and Bremen can get the eggs
needed from Normandy, but where the re-
Quired rye and barley are to come from is
ANk ~ Citel. A4CuuS VI duOO VIII
rejoice at the prospect that German beer
and brandy are likely to be dearer
These tariff wars are amusing to outside
observers. Not long ago small war of
the kind broke out between France and
Belgium. DIfferential duties were I'M
posed on French goods which were entered
at Belgian custom-h ouses. and vice versa.
But Belgium had no quarrel with Ger
many, so the French exporters shipped
their goods around by the Rhine, and en-
tered them at Belgium's back door with
German invoices. 1t was hard for the con-
sumers. but an excellent thing for the rail-
roads.
The present state of commercial warfare
between Germany and Russia is the finale
Of a long discussion, the leading points
in which have been published in the Ger
man ReicbS Gnzeiger. They reveal any,
thing bat eonciliatory spirit on either
side. Germans have always been unpopu-
lar in Russia, partly because they are gen.
orally better business men than Russians,
and when they get a foothold in Russian
bureaucracy or finance or trade they gen.
orally push the native to the wall. There
is party at st. Petersburg which would
willingly break off intercourse with Ger
many; while in the fatherland there is
long to Germany, and that English and
French competition therein is an intrusion
TO be repelled.