The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-04

day Count Won Kanitz. the Agrarian
leader interpellated the government on
the subject of the proposed United States
tariff. He asked whether the government
wished 10 continue the agreement of 1891.
and said the Dingley bin implied less in
crease of American customs revenue than
the complete expulsion of European inn
ports from American markets. Continu-
ing. he remarked:
The industry most threatened is the
German sugar trade. We exaggerate the
consequence TO ourselves OF ahrogating
the treaty. but we would give a prefer
ence 10 Russian against American trade,
place obstacles in the way of Importation
OF maize, bacon, hams, sausages and cot
ton from the United States. and the gov
ernment IL is hoped. viii take such meas
ures as will tend 10 the advantage of our
industry, commerce and agriculture and
OF the whole country" tCheers from the
Right.p
Baron Marschal Won Bieberstein. minis
ter for foreign affairs. replying. said that
as the new United States tars# hili was
still in suspense. he would conTlne his re-
marks TO the measure of the imperial
chancellor. Prince Hohcniohe. TO counter
act the danger threatened German trade.
adding:
But cannot unroll picture and show
how matters will shape themselves il the
resentatives becomes law"
After a historical review of the devel-
opment OF Gerniany's politico-commercial
relations with the United States. he con-
tinued:
1T Is true that no treaty exists between
the United States and the German empire.
There are. however. treaties of former
times with individual German states.
especially that of ls2S with Prussia. The
latter has repeatedly appealed 10 both
sides on the question of its validity and
scope. but the matter has never been
thoroughly discussed between the two
countries. The Federal governments have
always acted on the legal principle OF tho
right and duties of such treaties passed
by the German empire. After the foun-
dation of the empire the validity OF the
treaty OF 1898 was expressly recognized
by both parties. inasmuch as hereunder
rights had been claimed and obligations
fulfilled"
The minister for foreign affairs then
cited instances In support of his observa-
tfons. He further said that when In 1855
the imperial council Issued a notification
concerning the Spanish commercial treaty
with the United States Sweden and Dem
mark were included in the list as most
favored nations. When doubt was ex-
pressed as to whether the United States
was one OF those nations Prince Bis
marck declared the question must be an
swered In the affirmative, because or the
existence of the special treaties with the
individual states. which could not be sep
arated from the empire.
Germany. he continued. had subsequent
ly obtained recognition OF her rights In
the United States by virtue Of the Prus-
sian treaty for instance in 1884. In con-
nection with the Dingley shipping act.
He also recalled the fact that when the
United States was upon the point of con-
xxStth In, err
emption from duty on sugar from Porto
Rico Prince Bismarck demanded that the
exemption be extended without delay TO
Germany.
The minister for foreign AFFAIRS then
explained there were precedents on the
side OF the United States. The latter at
the time of the negotiations relative TO
the Dingley shipping act did not raise the
objection that the Prussian treaty was not
still I'm force. The United States had also
made representations I'm 1854 on account or
alleged injury done by German railroad
tariffs 10 American petroleum for the ben
eft OF the Russian petroleum. Upon that
occasion the United States minister. In a
note to the foreign Office. referred to the
existence of the most favored relationship
by virtue OF the treaty of is2s. and added
that the treaty was particularly appilcable
against any kind OF differential treatment
In the way OF taxation Of the imports OF
one government 10 tne uetrlinent oi tne
other.
The minister OF foreign affairs did not
think Count Won Kanitz was right in
ascribing all the fluctuations OF German
American trade TO the tariff legislation.
In the speakers opinion. "the fretful
changes which have peculiarly character
lied American economic life'' have
greater effect on trade.
DR.. Barth Radical Tnionist. said the
dlfYereutfal treatment of sugar was cer-
taiuly a blow to the favored nation treaty.
but he claimed II did not call for dipio-
matte negotiations. A firm exporting
sugar 20 the United States can contest the
imposition legally.
Baron Hey1 urged reprisals on petroleum
and fruit. Herr Marscf1al won Bieberstein
asked what II was proposed 10 substitute
II the treaty was renounced. A country
like Germany, he added. could not alone
pursue a commercial policy, independent
OF customs tariffs.
Herr Richter. Peoples party. favored
tariff conventions and deprecated display
OF passion In dealing with these ques-
tions.
Count Kardoff said the Radicals could
have implicit confidence I'm economic
preparations Count Kanitz' question,
he asserted. was a sort OF vote Of censure
against the Americans. adding that hs
would not have been allowed 10 take such
measures in the time Of Prince Bismarck.
Count Won Limburg -Stirum. conserva-
tive also attacked Baron Marschal Won
Bieberstein and the matter was then
dropped.