The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-04-05
OUR FOREIGN TRADE
How It Will be Affected by the New
- Tariff Laws.
FOREIGNERS WILL RETALIATE.

Germany and Austria WIN Doubtless
Quickly Place Restrictive Tariff on
American Manufactures, and Franco
May Do Likewise.
! Washington, April 5.-The foreign
Embassies and legations In washington
are watching the progress of the tariff
hill with great care, as 1t materially
affeots 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 1t Will re-
strict many OF the lines of foreign trade
with this country. Among the repre-
ssntatives of the larger countries the
expression is general that there will be
n large decrease in imports, and that
this, In turn, will be followed by an in
ureass 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
bsrs 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
r1t6 tariff as It sees fit, and that II Is
purely O domestic affair, with which
foreign ministers have no right to con-
rern themselves. Up to the present
. 1irne no protests have been filed from
my. source, although 1t Is said certain
representations from the Argentine
xoyernment are on the way to the min
ister here. Some of the ministers have
. lalked unofficially with Secretary Sher-
man as to the general character of the
hill, but they have become satisfied
mat the executive branch had no desire
10 exert influence on the legislative
branch towards keeping down tariff
rates.
Tho British embassy strictly adheres
10 the rule that 1t has no concern with
matters Of internal legislation, full
report on the bill is being made to the
f6hdon foreign office, and the govern
Msnt will take steps to give the widest
publicity to the measure, as means
NJ 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-
nd by the bill than that of any other
eountry, no representations or protests
pf any kind have been made by the
English government. Although Canada
Is a British colony, it makes It's own
ksriff laws. which operate against Eng
land as well as the United States. The
talk of retaliation on the part of Can
nda is 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-
Mons have been received from the home
government relative to the tariff bill
and there is no deviation from the view
that the formation of tariff Is entirely
n domestic matter. At the same time
The great strides made by Germany as
m Industrial nation give special in
tsrest to the present legislation, as II
will affect many lines of German goods
coming to this country. 1t Is consider
ID likely that commercial warfare
will result, which will lead to an In
crease of tariff rates in Germany. AS
Anstria- Hungary is closely allied witt
- Germany in commerce, as well as for
kign affairs, it is said that tariff in
crease by Germany would be followed
by Austria Hungary and other contra
European countries.
The French officials here are waiting
action on the bill by the senate, re-
garding the present condition Of tht
measure as very imperfect. They take
the same view as the British and Ger.
man officials, that there Is no grounC
for protest, as the tariff is domestic
affair It Is felt that the effect of thu
bill will be particularly severe on the
fine wooden goods and silks coming
from France.
Spains interest in the bill Is due
mainly to the trade between Cuba anc
the United States on sugar, tobacco
etc. Thus far, however, the officials
have too busy with affairs relating tt
the insurrecton to give much time tt
thr tariff. report on the bill will bt
sent to Madrid mainly for the purpose
of information.
9he South American countries are
most affected by the reciprocity feat
ures But the ministers from thest
sections say that little is expected II
the way Of practical reciprocity from
the present measure.
The japanese authorities feel tha
some of their industries. principal!
silks silk handkerchiefs straw mat
ting and jute rugs, will suffer severel!
by the bill. They have made no pro
test, however.