The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-09-08
Denunciation of the German and
Belgian Treaties of Commerce.

ioCoutiJ mdue Iho iOiioWinB dh-
nouncement:-
"The seaty OF commerce OF May
80, 1861 between the German Gus
toms On and the United King
dom ol Great Britain and Ireland
was denounced on July 30 of this
year by the British Government.
In consequence Of this denun-
citation the aforementioned treaty,
together with the supplementary
agreements regulating its extension
to the various German States which
subsequently joined the Customs
Union, and to Alsace-Lorraine, will
pass out of force on July 30, 1898"
When informing the German
Government OF the decision OF her
Mejesty's Government the British
Ambassador, according to the North
German Gazette, submitted propo-
sails for negotiations regarding new
treaty.
In Brussels the Moniteur pub
lished recently the official notifi-
cation OF the decision OF the British
Government to annul the treaty OF
commerce and navigation concluded
between England and Belgium in
July, 1862.
Mr.. Reid, Premier OF New South
Wales, is reported as saying at Otta-
wa that at the conference OF the
colonial Premiers with Mr.. Cham
berlain it was agreed that no COM
mercial treaty should circumscribe
the rights of the selfgoverning colo
MES to frame their fiscal policies.
The denunciation of the treaties
was the first part of its agreement.
The denunciation of the Anglo
German commercial treaty has come
as a great surprise to the Germans.
For some time past rumours of such
an eventuality had been followed
with the closest interest, not to say
anxiety, but the danger had been
thought to be over. In official cir
cles, however, the denunciation OF
the treaty is regarded as giving no
grounds for uneasiness on the part
of Germany. The reasons which
actuated the British Government in
taking the step are fully recognized,
and NO fear would seem to be enter
tanned that Great Britain will use
the denunciation for other ends.
The tone Of the German Press is,
with few exceptions, calm and i'm
partial.
Almost the sole cause for anxiety
is afforded by the protectionist
policy of the Governments of the
British colonies. The desire OF Eng
land to respond in some material
way to the commercial advantages
held out to her by her colonies and
the dread of German competition
may, it is feared, eventually lead to
the introduction Of preferential
tariffs. The sugar trade in particular
is exposed to this danger.
According to the German Stats
tical Yearbook, the value OF the
German imports from Great Britain
during 1895 amounted to 578,000,0O0
marks, or 1876 per cent. of the total
imports, while the value Of the ex-
ports to Great Britain amounted to
67s,OOOOOO marks, or 1873 per cent.
of the total exports.
AS for Belgium, she annually ex-
ports to England more than she re-
ceives by over 100000, the staple
articles being linen and woollen
yarn, sheet glass, and iron. The
decision OF the British Government
is accepted without protest by the
chief organs of public opinion at
Brussels.
In France no news for some weeks
past has excited more interest
than that OF the termination of the
Anglo German treaty of commerce
One general French view is that it
means economic war between Ger
many and England, and that France