The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-04-05
OUR FOREIGN TRADE
How It VIII be Affected by the New
Tariff Laws,
FOREIGNERS WILL RBTAIIATE.

FOREIGNERS WILL hbTALlATb,
Germany and Austria WIN Doubtless
Quickly Place Restrictive TdriT on
American Manufactures, and France
May DO Likewise.
Washington, April 5.-The foreign
embassies and legations In Washington
are watching the progress Of the tariff
bill with great care, as 1t materially
affects all commercial nations. Re-
ports are being forwarded to the var
ious foreign offices, and these in turn
are being made public abroad for the
information of the concerns shipping
goods to the United States. Naturally
the feeling among the diplomats is not
favorable to the measure as It will re-
strict many of the lines of foreign trade
with this country. Among the repre-
sentatives of the larger countries the
expression Is general that there win be
a large decrease in imports, and that
this, in turn, will be followed by an in
crease of duties against American
goods The representatives of nations
which are most concerned with reci-
procity do not regard the reciprocity
Of the present bill with favor,
without exception, however, mem
bers OF the diplomatic corps are re-
framing from exerting any influence
towards keeping down the duties, The
principle is accepted on all hands that
this government has the right to frame
its tariff as it sees fit, and that It is
purely a domestic affair, with which
foreign ministers have no right to con-
Germ themselves. Up to the present
haar H1aH
any source, although 1t is said certain
representations from the Argentine
government are on the way to the min
lister here. Some of the ministers have
talked unohicially with Secretary Sher-
man as to the general character of the
bill. but they have become satisfied
that the executive branch had no desire
to exert influence on the legislative
branch towards keeping down tariff
rates,
The British embassy strictly adheres
to the rule that it has no concern with
matters Of internal legislation. full
report on the bill is being made 70 the
London foreign office, and the govern
ment will take steps to give the widest
publicity to the measure, as a means
of informing English manufacturers OF
the new conditions with which they
must deal These steps, however, are
entirely for the purpose of informing
the home government and the people
Although English trade is more affect
ed by the bill than that Of any other
country, no representations or protests
Of any kind have been made by the
/ English government. Although Canada
is a British COLONY, it makes its own
tariff laws, which operate against Eng
! los Ta Tho
/ talk of retaliation on the part OF Can
/ ada ia confined to Dominion quarters
\ and such retaliation, if resorted to-,
would not require the approval of the
home government,
At the German embassy no instruc-
tons have been received from the home
government relative to the tariff bill.
and there is no deviation from the view
4 that the formation Of a tariff is entirely
asdomestic matter. At the same time
the great strides made by Germany as
an industrial nation give special in
terest to the present legislation, as 1t
will affect many lines of German goods
coming to this country 1t is consider
! ed likely that a commercial warfare
/ will result, which viii lead to an in7
crease Of tariff rates in Germany. As
Austria Hungary is closely allied with
Germany in commerce, as well as for
eign affairs, it is said that tariff in
crease by Germany would be followed
by Austra-H Hungary and other central
European countries.
The French officials here are waiting
action on the bill by the senate, re-
garding the present condition Of the
measure as very imperfect, They take
the same view as the British and Ger
man officials, that there is no ground
for protest, as the tariff is a domestic
affair 1t is felt that the effect Of the
bill will be particularly severe on the
fine woolen goods and silks coming
[ from France.
Spain's interest in the bill is due
mainly tSthe trade between Cuba and
the nitcd States on sugar, tobacco,
etc. Thus far, however the officials
have too busy with affairs relating to
the instruction to give much time to
the tariff A report on the bill will be
sent to Madrid mainly for the purpose
OF information.
The South American countries are
most affected by the reciproci u feat
ures. But the ministers from these
sections say that little is expected in
the way of practical reciprocity from
tine present measure.
The Japanese authorities feel that
some of their industries, principally
silks, silk handkerchiefs, straw mat
ting and jute rugs, will suffer severely
| by the bill. They have made no pro-
! test however