New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-12
GERMANYs BAsELEss COMPLAINT.

Berlin echoes Vienna, not at the moment Win
80 authoritative voice, but sufficiently to the
purpose. Indeed Vienna may have merely
echoed an earlier utterance OF Berlin. II men,
DRY serves correctly. the first complaint against
1.-THE American menace" did come from Berlin,
and from the most august lips In that capital.
II took the form Of a protest against Mon
roeism," that is to say. against the unwilling
ness OF the United States to have it's republican
nelghbors on these continents seized and parti-
toned as Africa has been, and as Germany
Is ut this moment treating China. Now the
protest is against what Is described as some
thing more momentous than "Monroeism." to
wit, the maintenance Of an American fiscal
policy suited to the advantage Of American In
dustral and commercial interests. The same
complaint, II is to be observed Is made against
Great Britain Also In both cases with uncon-
scious but not ineffective irony, the denunca.
ton is directed against the proposed formation
Of q "Zollvercln"-a German name for thing
Of German origin! Are other nations to be con-
demned by Germany for following Germany's
example?
1t is quite true that the United States has
protective tariff which greatly promotes her
own industries and her own commerce, too
and may, incidentally. lessen the amount OF
goods marked Made in Germany" In her mar
kets But unless all available authorities are
sadly at fault Germany has protective tariff
too, much more rigorous In many Of Its prov-
sions than Is ours More than that, Germany
has gone into the system Of paying export boun-
ties, on sugar, for example. TO an extent scarce
| " paraleled In history. 1t is that feature OF
| the German system that has brought ruin to
| some Of Great Britains once most prosperous
| colonies. And yet Germany breaches crusade
| against British aggression! There Is no device
| OF sef-aid, whether protective tariff, export
| bounty commercial subsidy, or what not, to
which Germany has not made resort for the
promotion Of her trade. With these this coun-
try has no quarrel But It certainly does not
intend to relinquish the right to adopt CORE
| spending measures for its own advantage. Its
| laws and pclicies are not made at Berlin for
the benefit Of Germany hut at Washington. by
the authority aud for the benefit OF the Ameri-
can people.
II Is not on record either, that the United
| States talked Of 1.-The German menace when
| Prussia and Austria combined to Cypress and
spoliate Denmark. This country did not rage
against "Prussian arrogance when that king
dom crushed Austria and annexed Hanover.
There was no talk of an American combination
| TO prevent the Iorinatioh vi tue nc" "ein"
Empire, but, on the contrary, there was general
rejoicing here at the realization Of the long
cherished national aspirations Of the German
people. There has not been word spoken
against Germany's wholesale acquisition OF
land in Africa, nor is there the slightest dlspo-
sition to interfere with her schemes OF con-
quest In China. Surely, with this record OF alb
soute non-intervention In the affairs of the rest
of the world, the United States has right to
expect It's wishes to be respected In regard TO
the American continents. stronger word
than wishes might indeed be used II Germany
and her neighbors can make imperative laws
for the regulation Of international affairs In
Europe, Asia and Africa, be assured the United
States and her neighbOrs can do as much and
do it as effectively on the continents OF the
| Western Hemisphere.