Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-19

THE GERMAN EMBARGO
Western Cattle Shippers Send a Committee
Here to Try and Remove It
Col. George r.. Davis, One of the Men,
bers, Says n Trade of s75,OOO,OOO
is Involved.

Of the worlds fair, is here as one of a
committee of western boards of trade to
endeavor to have the embargo of Germany
against American meat products raised.
Col. Davis says that the stake of the west
ern states in the matter is greater than
the people in Congress understand. THE
shrinking in values in the cattle and pork
industry of the west, If this embargo shall
continue" says Col. Davis, will be not
less than S75,OOO,OO0. If the German gov
eminent shall be permitted to carry out
the policy upon which it has already en-
tered, we shall lose the entire trade with
Germany. There seems to be an impress
sion here and some of the members of the
administration share it, that our exports
to Germany are comparatively insignifi-
cant, and that they are accurately repre-
sented by the statistics as to direct eX-
portationSs from this country to Germany.
That is a great error. A very large pro-
portion of the exports from this country Tor
Germany go first to Liverpool or to South
ampton. The German government has re-
Gently sent experts to England, ostensibly
for the purpose of making inquiries as to
the existence of Texas fever in American
cattle Their object is, in fact, to make 1t
certain that there is Texas fever there,
In order to carry out the policy or the
great German landholders, who desire to
break down the trade with the United
States, in order that they may personally
benefit by the policy of exclusion. That is
what the German land barons did before.
when Secretary Blaine and Secretary Rusk,
after months of arduous labor, succeeded
in raising the embargo, which has only
recently been re-established.
A Violation of Treaty.
1.-THE German ambassador here has in
formed our government that the discrimi-
mating duty Of one-tenth against sugar
which comes from bounty-export countries
is a violation of the treaty between the
United States and Germany. The Secre-
tary of State agrees that the provision OF
the new tariff bill which imposes this one
tenth is violation of the treaty. There
seems to be no doubt that the German en-
pire is justified in its Interpretation OF this
treaty. The German government seems
determined to use this legislative provision
as a pretext for the establishment OF the
embargo which, If continued, will be GER
tain to result in destroying the trade or
this country with Germany.
1T is idle to talk Of retaliation against
Germany, as is now suggested In some
quarters. The cattle export trade of the
United States, If the present situation
shall long continue, will soon leave us and
will go to Australia. Already fifteen large
cattle freight ships have left European
ports Cor Australia. These ships have
hitherto been engaged In the direct trade
between the United States and Europe In
this same trade. If this tide shall be once
turned against us, II VIII Dc ullliCult W re-
cover the trade. This is very vital mat
ter to the western cattle interests, and 1t Is
because of this that the committee has
been sent here to urge that that provision
of the new tariff law shall be repealed.
ut appears that there is good deal OF
opposition to any change in the tariff law,
for the reason that 1T is claimed that IL any
change shall be proposed the entire range
of the tariff subject will be germane, and
that the tariff agitation may be reopened.
/ am not here for the purpose of agitating
the tariff question; but 1t seems to me that
some way should be found and must be
found to vindicate the national honor when
treaty has been violated
Nothing to Do With the Sugar People.
How this is to be accomplished, except
by the repeal of the discriminating pro-
vision Of the tariff law, it does not appear
clear. 1t is said that the representatives Of
the sugar refineries will oppose any such
repeal, as they assume that by this dis
crimiration they receive the protection
which saves them from the ruinous COM
petition OF the beet sugar industry of Ger
many. That is a matter in which our com
m!ttee Is not concerned. We have nothing
to do with the sugar people. We are max
ing crusade against them. We are
simply looking after the cattle export
trade Of this country, which is put in great
peril, and is threatened with total loss I'M
less this discriminating duty against Ger
man beet root sugar shall be repealed.
The administration is said to take that
view of the situation. At all events, that
is believed to be the attitude of Secretary
Gresham, who, in this matter, represents
the foreign policy of the government. The
administration is prepared to go so far
as to say that this one-tenth duty is a vio-
latiou of the treaty with Germany. The
United States has not been given to violat-
ing treaties; and the Congress will not per-
NIT such a condition to continue"
The confidence of Col. Davis that the
Congress will consent to repeal this one
tenth discrimination is not shared by those
who are familiar with the position which
has been taken as to the tariff question.
The republican position in the Senate has
been that all attempts to change the exist
Ing tariff law at this session will be resist
ed; that the democrats must be compelled
to stand by the law which they have franz
ed. and. the country being presumed to de-
sire'a rest from tariff agitation, that rest
must be given It.