The Washington times., 1895-01-06
THEY NAY MEAN TO DICTATE.
Hostile Attitude of European Powers on
the Sugar and immigration Questions.

hoStlic AtslluQG Ot european Powers on
the Sugar and immigration Questions.
The figures collected by the Treasury De-
partment bearing on the subject show that
during the past fiscal year the imports of
beet root sugar into the United States from
Europe amounted in value to SIS, ,69l 900.
Germany stands first in the list with s11, ,o6S.-
600, Belgium comes second with 81. .357. .OOO
Austria third with slap, ,795, France fourth
with S422, ,042, and The Netherlands fifth with
S33S, 722.
All OF this sugar came into the United
States last year duty free, and it is contended
that the effect OF the differential of one-tenth
OF cent per pound, In addition TO the duty
OF 80 per cent. levied on ali sugars, will be to
prohibit the traffic. There are, it is learned.
other disturbing elements entering into our
relations with these continental European
powers which undoubtedly have had the effect
to stimulate the retaiiarory policy adopted bv
them. One OF these. discussed this morning
at conference of Secretaries Gresham and
Carlisle and Attorney General OIney. was the
status of the agents of this government sta
toned in Europe to carry out the quarantine
laws.
When there seemed to be great danger of
the introduction of cholera in the United
States last summer medical officers were
placed at the principal European ports, and
uubCi tL4O AtLI MS Vi Tic tCl vi 1880 Inty were
required t. make re that the vessels clear
ing for the United States were free from all
traces of disease. Naturally the require
mentS OF these officers were very unWelcOme
to tho steamship companies and finally the
French government protested against the
presence of our medical representatives
The Germans did not go so far at the time.
bur they resented the operation en- their soil
of the agents of foreign governments who
were not clothed with diplomatic powers. In
the end they protested strongly, and now have
gone so far as to intimate that if the provi-
slons OF pending legislation, which contem-
plate still further extension of the inspec-
ton principle to immigrants, is carried out.
they will not permit them to operate. Asthis
threatens to absolutely nullify any effort that
the United States government may make to
exclude Immigrants of the most dangerous
class. and also to expose the people Of the
United States to infection from cholera. the
matter is regarded as full of gravity
In fact the turn affairs have taken make it
very evident that our relations with conti-
mental Europe are likely to get entirely be-
yond executive control if we once recognize
the right of these countries TO dictate in
matters of legislation. The conference yes
terday did not result in defining any line of
policy and IL is believed to be probable that
the President will feel obliged TO lay the
matter before Congress in q special message
to supplement the efforts of the administers
tion men in Congress to pass the sugar re-
peal bill now pending.
1t may be stated, however. that not all of
the members of the Cabinet are confident that
the enactment of this single measure will al
ford the relief hoped for. and in some quarters
there is an abiding belief that the real object
OF the European combination is to break
down the entire sugar schedule and secure
free sugar as the price for the admission of
American food products.