The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-15
THE AMERICAN MEAT EMsARao

II looks Is though general tariff war
between this country and continental
Europe has already been begun. and 1t
10 predicted by students of our foreign
commerce that the discrimination against
fresh meat and live stock win be sue
ceesied rapidly by discrimination against
other articles OF export until American
products ~iii be practically excluded from
all continental Europe Already Germany.
France. Belgium. Denmark and the Meth
erIands have placed an embargo upon ina
portations OF meat and live stock under
the plea-concinsiveiy proven false
that these products are diseased and dan
gerous to the public health.
This is well known at the state depart
ment 10 be merely an excuse for the en-
forcement OF discriminative legislation
against our exports. The same plea was
made by Germany against the American
hog until satisfactory concessions were
made, wiaerenpon the intense interest of
that government for the health OF its peo-
pie promptly vanished. The specific OBJ
3ect OF the present consensus Of action
among continental nations In forbidding
entrance to our meat products II not
clearly disclosed. but In general II appears
to be an attempt TO aid domestic pro-
ducers. who are greatly distressed by the
hard times prevailing there as well az
here.
The secretary OF agriculture In a recent
communication 10 the president and secre-
tary of state enters an emphatic denial
that diseased meats and live stock are ex-
ported. and declares that the home in
spection of these exports prior TO ship
ment is far more thorough and complete
than any foreign government Is provided
with facilities for making. Meat which
France. Germany, Belgium and Denmark
pronounced infected Ia declared by our In
spectors at the inland point OF shipment,
the port of embarkation aud the foreign
port of entry. to be absolutely free from
disease.
IL would seem that the time has arrived
when the United States should take Wig
orous measures either to protect les pro-
ducers. or retaiiate upon the governments
which thus discriminate against our ex-
port products. To do this there is ample
authority. IL Is not necessary 10 issue
proclamation under the retaliation act
BY what Is known as the discriminating
flag law" a shorter and better method Is
provided. This law requires that an adj
dltional duty OF 10 per cent. shall be col
lected on all goods coming to American
ports In a vessel bearing the flag of the
nation which discrimlnates against any
OF our products. 1t is automatic In its
operation. and rests upon a fact When
the secretary Of the treasury officially
finds that any country discriminates
against US. the law steps In and makes
mandatory the collection OF 10 per cent
additional duty on goods imported under
the nag OF such nation.
1t was the fear aud implied threat that
this law would he invoked that recently
impelled the Spanish government to with
draw it's discrimlnatIve duties laid upon
Cuban imports Of American -four. There
is no nation better able 10 maintain a
tariff contest than the United States
There Is no nation with so complete ca
pscfty for absolute industrial ana com
mereial Independence: SO fully equipped
for Independent self-maintenanee. One
reason. and probably the chief assigned
FOR the reluctance of the administration
TO take steps looking 10 the exclusion or
restriction OF foreign importAtians is the
policy of encouraging imports, favored by
the president aud embodied in the Have
meyer law. by reduction of tariff duties
Coupled with this is the inevitable re-
auction or revenue consequent upon d.
minished importations. aud the prospect
Of an Increased deficit. already very
embarrassing matter.
The Commercial Advertiser IS of the
| opinion that the question which hothars
MIR. Gresham Is whether be shall take
the testimony of our own inspectors or
and declaration OF the foreigners, who
| are seeking an excuse for discrimination
without Involving the penalty. II thinks
that he will accept the technical plea OF
| the foreign governments and take the
1 ground that the exclusion Of American
| products Is not discriminate within
| the meaning OF the flag law. and that
resentment by this country can come only
| through proclamation OF retaliation un-
| der the act Of iSsa The Advertisers cen
| eiussen r. certainty supported ny the
record of the state department. In general