The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-07
PROTEST FROM GERMANY.
objection Raised to Sugar Section S
of the New TnriM Act.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.-The German
government has again entered formal pro-
test against application to Germany OF
sugar Section 5 of the new tariff act, by
which German sugar would be taxed with
a higher duty than that from other coun-
tries. 1t is not denied however, that the
German sugar clearly comes within the pro-
vision of Section by reason of the pay
ment of an export bounty, but the conten-
tim is made that the additional duty inn
posed is in effect a discrimination against
German sugar, which is incompatible, both
with the most favored nation rights that
are secured TO German productions by the
treaties now in force, and also with the
provisions Of the Saratoga agreement OF
Aug p 1891. AS to the first contention
the German charge d aftaires, Mr.. Won
Reichenau, in his note TO the secretary OF
state, appears to revive the position taken
in June, 1886, with respect to the duties
leViable on bountied sugars. The matter
was then considered in connection with the
discriminating tariff provision of Aug. ~.
1894 in relation to salt duties, by the at
tCrney general, Mr.. Omey, VINO held that
under that act salt was legally dutiable.
Mr. Won Reichenau's note refers generally
to treaties but it seems that his particular
reference is to the treaty OF May ]. 1873,
between the United States and Prussia. 1t
is observed by the STATE department tnaL
it is still without any Information from the
German government on the point raised Dy
Mr. Olnev as to whether the treaty with
Prussia is to be taken as effective with
respect 30 other portions of the empire or
is applicable only to the productions OF
Prussia exported from Prussia AS 10 the
contention that the tariff provision is In
compatible with the terms of the Saratoga
treaty of August 1891, the State Departs
rIent takes the position that the agreement
ceased with the passage of the tar1n acx
of Aug. q, 1884, which repealed Section
of the act of oct l. 1880 No reference
whatever is made in Mr.. Won Reicheneau
note to other provisions of the act whlch
extends the scope of the increased duties
to include all goods upon which an export
bounty is paid.
The State Department has sent instruc-
tions to the United States ambassadors and
ministers abroad accredited to countries
with which we have trade relations that
would be affected by the enactment OF the
municate to the foreign offices in their re-
spective posts the text of the act and TO
call attention to the sections of the new
tariff which provide for retaliation reci-
prOcity and similar arrangements. This is
done in order that there may be proper
basis for the institution or negotiations
looking to the consummation OF some OF
the reciprocal agreements contemplated in
the Dingley act The ground to be covered
by the State Department in these negOtfa-
tions will be difficult to traverse owing to
the complexity of the subjects to be treated
of and the dssimiar conditions existing
in various countries with which we have to
do. yet there cannot be any delay in under
taking the last, inasmuch as Congress has
in terms enjoined the beginning OF the ne
gOtiatiOns "as soon as may be after the
passage of this act" So far 1t is said
formal responses to our advances have
been made but from certain news items
that come from Europe IL Is perceived
that such overtures may be expected at
any moment.