Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-08
The Prohibition O. imeri / Heats
but the Beg mig.
Why SECRETARY GRESHAM HESIHATES
The Flag Law Mandatory on the
Secretary of the Treasury.
NO DISEASED MEATS EHIPPED


hesitating about adopting vigorous policy
in dealing with the foreign governments
which are discriminating against Ameri-
can products. 1t is well understood by the
President and Secretary of State and all of
the cabinet officers interested in the Ques-
ton, that the health plea made against our
products which are excluded by Germany
France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Den
mark Is merely diplomatic excuse, and
the prohibitions are believed to be but the
! beginning of tariff war against the
United States. What is known as the dis
eliminating flag law, which requires that
an additional duty of 10 per cent shall be
collected on all goods coming to American
ports in vessel bearing the flag of ma
ton which discriminates against any of
our products, Is automatic in its operation,
and requires only that the Secretary of the
Treasury should be informed that the dis
elimination exists.
The Flag LAW Mandatory.
There is no proclamation on the part of
the President necessary, as in the case of
the retaliation act, but when the Secretary
of the Treasury has official knowledge of
discrimination by any country the law is
mandatory that he shall at once collect the
10 per cent additional duty on goods i'm
ported under the flag of that country. This
ative at this time against all five OF these
countries, but the Secretary of State hesi-
tates to officially notify the Secretary of
the Treasury of the discrimination. 1t is
said that he has trouble in satisfying him
self that he can declare the discrimination
while the countries making it claim that it
is merely as health regulation that our
meats and live stock are excluded. This
same plea was made by Germany against
the American hog during Mr.. Blaine's
time until some commercial concession was
made by this country In return for the ad-
mission of the hogs. Immediately the con-
sideration of the health of his majesty's
subjects was then dismissed.
No Deceased Meats Shipped.
The Secretary of Agriculture has in
formed the President and the Secretary of
State that no diseased meats or live stock
are shipped abroad from this country; that
the inspection here is more thorough and
complete than any foreign government has
the facilities for, and that the meat which
Germany, France, Belgium and Denmark
pronounce infected is declared by our in
spectors at the inland point of shipment
the port of embarkation and the foreign
port of entry to be perfectly free from dis
ease. If this be true it is held that the dis
elimination against this country is unQuali-
fed and that the Secretary of the Treasury
should have no option in the matter, but
should Immediately enforce the flag law.
The question which seems to be hothering
Mr.. Gresham is whether he shall take the
laration of the foreigners who seeking
an excuse for discrimination without involv-
ing the penalty. 1t is said that he is inclined
to accept the technical plea of the foreign
governments, and take the ground that the
exclusion of American products is not
discrimination within the meaning of the
law, and that any resentment by this coun-
try can come only through proclamation
OF retaliation under the act of 1880.
The Probable Result.
1t is predicted by students of our foreign
commerce that the discrimination against
American fresh meat and live stock, if not
retaliated upon at once, will be followed
rapidly by discrimination against one
ticle after another of American export
until all American products will be eX-
cluded from the countries of Europe eX-
cept England, and possibly Austria. Thus
far Austria has occupied only threaten
ing attitude and it is believed that she,
like England, instead of joining in the
tariff war against America, will be inclined
to take advantage of 1t for her own COM
mercial profit The danger of the situation
and the probability of very serious tariff
war between this country and all conti-
rental Europe is said to be fully appre-
ciated at the State Department
Why They Hesitate.
1t is said that it will be with great re-
luctance that Mr.. Cleveland and Mr. Gres-
ham will take any steps looking to the eN-
clusion or even restriction of foreign inn
portations, both because their policy is to
feared that if we attempt to retaliate for
discrimination against American products
1t might precipftate conflict with one or
several of the foreign powers.