The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-12-04
olaion OF the regulations TO carry the pro-
ratmation into effect.

Mr. Won Reich enau, charge d'affairs
of the German embassy, declined to ex-
press an opinion this afternoon regard
ing the Presidents proclamation. ne
staGeo In general way that the matoel
nad peen the subject OF correspchoeuoe
Tor some time. He could neither antlci-
pate what action the Imperial govern
mont would take with reference TO 1ns
proclamation, nor did he care to express
an opinion regarding it.
1t ls not believed the German govern
ment will consent to the imposition OF
discriminating tax on German vessels
without at least a more vigorous prooeso
than has yet been made. The German
contention, it is understood, is tfat tne
tax complained of in the PreslusnD
proclamation is not imposed solely on 70
American vessels, but upon vessels OF aiA
nationalities, including German vessels
The revenues arising from the tax are
not covered into the Imperial treasury, !,
but become the property OF the several
states within whose Jurisdiction tne tax
is laid aud by whom the money 10 useu
to improve the harbors In order TO Iaclil-
tate loading and unloading OF vessels;
1t is argued that If Germany snouiu
rescind this tax as far as American yes,
sells are concerned, 1T would az once can
forth a protest not only from Engllsh,
French and other European powers,
whose vessels would still be subject to
taxati on, but from German shippers.
A bill dealing with this subject Of
tonnage tax aud providing for repeal
of the law exempting from sucn tax all
vessels from foreign countries whloh ex-
tends like exemption to our vessels, was
introduced in the last session OF Congress
by Senator Frye. After an exhaustive
hearing, in which the New YORK repre-
sentatives of the German steamship lines
were heard, the com mittee being unable
to agree, January 80 reported the bill
back without amendment. 1t was sub
sequently reoommitted to the commit
tee. Senator Frye made an elaborate re-
port on the subject, showing that the law
had not done what was promised Ior II
at the time of it's passage.
Among other things Senator Frye's re-
port gave the following information,
which in connection with the proclama-
tion, is of special and timely interest:
"The law providing for reciprocity
i'll the abolition of a tonnage tax was
passed In the belief that the nations Of
the world would hasten to repeal navi-
cation charges. This expectation has
not been met Germany and the Neither
lands alone of the maritime powers,
have accepted the invitation and our ex-
perience with them has proved recipro-
city only in name. During the seven
years since the proclamation exempting
German ships was issued, the total clear
auces of American vessels from the Unit
ed States for Germany ports, mum bered
only 15gof 81, 1856 net tons, and the entries
from German ports, % vessels, OF SO. 1858
net tonnage. ssThe levy of tax of SIX
cents ton by Germany on this tonnage,
would have produced between $1,000 and
$500 during the seven years, or less than
$500 year. During the same period
entries of foreign vessels from Germany
into the United States.n 1872 or
9, $50, S87 tons net tons. A tonnage of
six cents ton, the amount levied on YES
sells from all other European countries
except Germany and the Netherlands
wouldfhave amounted to over $500, QUO or
about $50, 600 in year. In other words
under the provisions of the law which
this bill proposes to report, the United
States to secure exemption of 5000 or $500
year in taxes, on American vessels i'll
German ports, we have exempted foreign
vessels from Germany from annual tom
mage. dues, amounting to. about $50, 00u.
Representative McCreery of Kentucky,
member and ex- chairman of the House
committee on foreign affairs. did not
care to discuss the proclamation, although
he admitted the subject had been quiet
ly discussed by some members of the
committee recently. cit will probably
.cI,%arv affaok - Soid