The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-13
MUST BRITISH SHIPS PAYi
LSsIsTANr SECRETARY HOWELL ON
THE DISCRIMINATING DUTY.

% Sure That British vessels Are Exempt In
All Cnses-Mr. Smith Maintnins HHis View.
WASHINGTON, Aug. ia letter from Alex.
ander X. Smith, editor Of Seabourd. in which he
contends that merchandise brought to the
United States In British vessels from countries
other than British possessions in Europe is sub.
ject to the additional discriminating duty Of 10
per cent. was received at the Treasury Depart.
ment to-day. The letter is similar to that sent
to THE Sun by Mr.. Smith and published this
morning. After reading what Mr.. Smith had to
say Treasury officials were not 30 certain as
they were yesterday that the discriminating
duty did not apply to goods brought in British
vessels. Assistant Secretary Howell, who
has charge of tariff affairs, said to THE
Sun reporter that he would be obliged
to study tho question carefully before
giving a positive opinion. lie was inclined to
believe that the discriminating duty could not
be levied on goods brought in British vessels
dntiab,e morpS 9bTseSSi,,UnSb moL IN Europe; Il Rr taet,
vessel from. n British port in any part Of the
world would be subject only to the regular and
per cent. Mr.. Howell said that the question
appeared to properly belong to the Navigation
tion over cases relating to the registry Of
vessels.
A statement compiled at the Treasury Depart.
ment to-day, from tables prepared by the Bu-
reau OF Statistics, shows that Mr.. Smiths point
is Of the greatest importance. The tables provo
m mere for G' tho United nit Grs sts,es, t both 0o OF i1 a.
ports and exports. For the first six months Of
this year the total Imports IN vessel, have been
exports in vessels $452. 500, tO5. The percent.
age Of imports carried in American vessels is
In vessels the British have carried $3.50 per
cent. Germans ll.i9. French 5:46, Dutch $50.
only onH g s.i G'H Is ca aGrfiaaG in s. Rmer II! a0% BOZ, oms sS ai'si
per cent. being carried in vessels OF other nations.
British vessels carried 6s.23 per cent. Of the
French 3.l9, Norwegian 2.93. and all other
foreign 9.54. The value OF imports carried in
June 80 was 6 5,42s.i lac. and OF that carried in
foreign vessels $500. 26l 1872. The value of ex.
ports for the same period carried. in American
vessels was $37.1l3, 1853; carried in foreign vcs-
sells, $415, 6s7. o37. Tho value Of sugar, which
has been largely brought from the West Indies
imports in American vessels higher than that of
the value of domestic exports.
land nae Vehicles eSlSs 81 dn ar = the sf tirst ha II c Of th sn pr eseSt
297,6l9.
MR.. SMITH MAINTAINS HIS VIEW.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir: I notice In
THE Sun of to-day quotations from and COM
ments upon my letter concerning the liability of
imports in British vessels from ports other than
those in the British territories in Europe to the
10 per cent. sd valorem discriminating duty, and
the denials of Treasury officials in Washington
as to the accuracy OF my contention. Your
Washington correspondent. asserts that the
Treasury officials stated that "a special exemp-
ton is made in the Tariff law concerning such
cases." II the quotation of sections % and "a
Of the new Tariff act is intended to prove this.
then l respectfully submit that they refer to an
entirely different matter, and do not In any way
cover or. in fact. refer to the cases provided for
in section 90, as n reading OF the subject matter
OF the three sections, in my judgment, clearly
proves.
Then, again, your Washington despatch
quotes the Treasury officials as explaining that
"a treaty with Great Britain gives British yes,
sells the right TO bring goods from
countries to this country" That may all be
and 1 do not enter here into a controversy OF
that point, because. I respectfully submit. it IL
immaterial. The contention is not as to whether
British ships may bring goods here from non
British ports, but as to the duties they are sub
ject to when 30 brought. Section % of the new
Tariff act in express terms limits the exemption
from the discriminating duties In vessels not
Of the United States" to those entitled at the
time OF such importation, by treaty or conven'
The only treaty. contend. that exempts i'm,
ports in British vessels from the discriminating
is explicitly limited to imports in British YES.
sels from British territories in Europe,
hAiC at'NS VI olkl' nav IL w GA
emptcd certain imports from the discriminating
duty, acts OF Congress are no longer sufficient,
tor the reason that imports must be entitled =
TO such exemption by treaty or convention, v
on and after July "a. 1897. according to the
provisions OF section ID Of the Tariff act of tina,
date.
II a treaty had exempted imports IN British
vessels from other than British European ter
ritories from our discriminating duty previous
to Oct. Is. ls49, why the need OF Secretary Of
the Treasury Meredi!h's circular letter OF that
date addressed to collectors OF customs. direct
lnu them in fnfnrn Tn pNRnnt iTnnnrfA in RrittRh
vessels from any and al! ports from the iiscrim'
mating dutyt Certainly before that date such
imports in British vessels had not been gcner
ally exempt from the discriminating duty. Has
a treaty exemptinG them been made since tbs
date can find no record of one. As u matter
OF fact, think you will find that the only pro
vision that exempts imports in British vessel:
from territories other than those of Greai
Britain In Europe from the discriminating duty
Is this same circular letter. and no act of Con
gress at all, although the exemption may b,
based upon an act OF Congress.
IL there Is q treaty or convention In existence
which exempts imports in British yessels from
other than British European territories from
our discriminating duty. no doubt. the ofic!ali
OF the Government charged with the collection
} such imports from the discriminating duty. Il
Is quite a serious matter. therefore,
even II my contentious arc sustained b!
the proper officers OF the Government. W!
shall be able to witness as at first thought
ton of the discriminating duty policy with al
the force OF which 1t is capable. for the reason
that. even then. American ships would still b.
whatever, with the ships of other nations In tn,
carrying, Of the imports OF the United states
between British European territories and tn,
United states. arc not placed under other flags
as. untortunately, they easily can be; in order I
ALEXANDER r. SMITH.