Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-05
MAY Arise From the Combination Of
Continental Europe.
REVENUE FROM IMPORTS CUT 0FF
Congress Will Probably Not Cor
rect the Tariff Law.
JUDGE TURNER HOPEFUL


minister, which has already been antici-
pated in The Star, is another step in the
war against our commerce, in which 1t Is
evident that there is a combination Of all
continental Europe. No doubt is enter
tained that Germany, France, Austria,
Spain, Belgium. in fact, all Europe that
We have any Uade with. except England.
intend to press this country to the last
extremity. Retaliation by this country
means the cutting Off Of the greater part
of our revenues from imports. and in the
present insutticiency of revenue this could
not be done without some provision to meet
the deficiency by internal taxation. ..-.
The Secretary of State has already con-
fess ed judgment by urging Congress to cor
rect the alleged discrimination complained
of by the foreign countries, and has prac-
tically made out their case for them. Con-
gress however will probably not carry out
the recommendations. This leaves an ex-
traordiEary complication, which, 1t Is fear
ed, is going to cause no end Of trouble.
French Objection to Cattle. ..-.
Agents of the transatlantic steamship
lines have notified the Secretary Of Agricul-
ture that the French consuls have made a
new objec ton to the landing of American
cattle. They say that the inspec tion at the
port of shipment by the government in
spe ctor is insufficient and that the cattle
of the interior inspector" 1t is well known
to the officials of France that there is no
such officer in this country and this OBJ
lection is regarded as subterfuge.
Judge Turner Hopeful.
A Star reporter asked Judge Turner Of
Georgia, who Is member Of the ways ana
means committee, what of this situation.
1T appears to be serious question:, re-
piled Judge Turner. but think the dan
tod n
the differential duty on sugar that is COM
planned of by these foreign countries as
discrimination against them. Go not KNOW
whether the Senate will do so or not But,
however this may be, do not think these
countries will press us to the extreme
They have so many advantages in our
tariff as to other Of their exports that IT
would be very bad policy for them TO
erdanger their broader interests in order
to retaliate for this one thing which Is to
their disadvantage.
But could We afford the loss OF revenue
involved in retaliation on our part?" was
asked.
THAT might be an important question en-
tering into the matter" he replied "but
l do not anticipate that it will go SO far.
An Official Conference. ...t
The prevailing tariff complications be-
tween the United States and Germany,
Spain, Belgium and Austria engaged nearly
the entire attention of the President and
cabinet at yesterdays meeting at the
White House, and was Still further dis
cussed by Secretaries Gresham, Carlisle
and Lamont and Attorney General Olney
in formal conference held in the dfplo-
matte room of the State Department today.
Secretary Lamont did not remain very
long, and his presence may have been ac-
cidental. There is no doubt, however, that
the meeting OF the other three ministers
was in pursuance of a prearranged agree
ment. 1t is admitted that the. situation
is embarrassing and extremely difficult of
satisfactory adjustment except by the re-
peal of the alleged discriminating duty.
The administration is extremely averse
to recommending such legislation, and is
equally unwilling to enter uEon harsh
course of commercial retaliation against
countries with which our relations are so
cordial in all ether respects. Existing COM
mercial treaties with Germany and Austria,
whereby they are placed in the most
favored nation" category are the strongest
arguments advanced by the representatives
of those Countries against the justice and
fairness of The operation Of the so-called
discriminating duty on foreign bounty paid
sugar.
Object of TOdRy's Conference.
Today's cabinet conference had for its
main purpose the consideration of the
proper policy to be adopted in this matter,
whether Congress should /. Iie. ,., asked to
amend the tariff law or whether the ex-
the objectionable sugar schedule and join
in an issue with the European Countries
named, retaliating against each and all
who retaliate against us. A course of COM
prove prejudicial to all concerned, and would
naturally be entered upon with hesitation
and regret.
Austria's New Points of Protest.
The protest of Austria against the impo-
sition of the sugar duty on the product
OF the country is similar to that submit
ted by the German minister, but it makes
no reference in terms to that document
and it does contain some new points. 1t
undertakes to show in the first place that
the imposition Of the differential duty of
one-tenth of l per cent on Austrian sugar
is in violation of article 3 Of the treaty
of 1872 between the United States and
Austro-Hungary. Then it is asserted that
the exchange of notes preceding the reci-
procity agreement undA the Mckinley act
established new Eass of commercial re-
lations, and Austro-HuEgary conceded to
the United States the same reduction of
duties that it granted to other countries
under what is known as the most favored
nation clause. This was done only upon
the understanding that the treatment ac-
corded to Austria by the agreement would
be continued. The Austrian minister also
shows that the payment of bounty upon
sugar produced in Austria Is not the act
of the imperial government, but is entirely
provincial affair, and so corresponds
to the independent action of any of our
states. Then it is argued that the impo-
siton of this discriminating duty by the
United States is unjust in that it Furnishes
countries that openly acknowledge the
payment of bounties, but leaves at an
advantage such nations as are willing to
encourage sugar production by the pay
ment of bounties in secret. But after all
the most important feature of the protest
is strong reminder that immediate ac-
tion upon it by the United States is ex-
pected.
Secretary Car1isle's Decision.
Inasrnuch as the bounty system of Aus
tria differs from Germany in that it is
paid in cne case by the general government
and in the other case by principalities, it
was early in the negotia tions contended
that the same construction which put the
differential tariff upon German sugar did
not apply to Austrian sugar. But when this
question came formally before Secretary
Carlisle, upon an inquiry from the collector
of customs at Baltimore, the Secfetary ef-
fectually disposed of the contention in