Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-07
CAN LYWATCH NOW
German Complaint Suspected to Be a
PreteXt.
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST AMERICANS
The Use Of Boracic Acid in Curing
Hams an Example.
A CON ST L EXPLAINS S

Ambassador White at Berlin has by cable
to the State Department confirmed the
press reports of the modification of the de-
cree Of the German government relative to
the Importation into Germany of American
fresh fruits.
The following cablegram was received
Saturday:
Hamburg consul reports examination
commenced and all fresh fruit admitted ex-
cept eighty-one cases where claim is made
scale insect was found. No trouble about
dried fruit
1t is said at the department that there is
now nothing TO do on our part but to watch
the workings of the decree as a means of
testing the spirit in which it was conceived,
whether it was framed with the single pur-
pose of keeping out diseased fruit, or
whether II was a mere preteXt to prevent
the competition of our fruit with that of
German production. That the department
has reason TO suspect the latter is evident
from the report that comes to it from
United States Consul Barnes at Cologne
Germany in which the consul points out
gross discrimination by the local German
officials against American hams. The con-
sui in his report incloses the following
translation of decree printed in the local
newspapers of Cologne:
BOrncic Acid on Hams.
The chief mayor publishes the following
notice: American hams have been brought
into the market which were painted with
bcracic acid in order TO preserve them AL
though they were carefully washed before
being offered for sale, the meat was strong
ly impregnated with boracic acid and crys-
tails of boraX had formed on the bone as
was shown by the results of the them al
examination Now. the court of correction
has declared. on the basis of the opinion of
experts, that bOracic acid is a poison liable
10 injure the health of human beings. 1t is
therefore not permitted to keep on sale or
sell mat that is preserved with bora ,ic
acid, and all those who act against this or
der will be proceeded against according TO
the imperial law of May Ii, 1879, touching
the trade in food
Commenting on this statement the COM
sui says.
In Germany pork is cured by what is
known as the Wet process Cthe dry process
IN Use in America being unknownJ, and re-
cures the following ingredients in the
preparation, to wit: Thirty per cent of bo-
racic acid. 80 per cent of nitrate of potash
and 80 per cent Of common salt. In view
of the composition Of this preparation. it
appears that the court OF correction per-
mits the use of a limited quantity of bo-
racic acid by the people of this country in
the curing of their meats while 1t con-
demns and forbids the use of The sam4
ucle IN the meats coming from America
In other words, boracic acid in American
meats is poison while in German products
1t is, We must infer. palatable and health
full II seems well-nigh impossible to over
come the deep-seatcd prejurice of the Ger
man people against American meat pro-
ducts, and only the greatest care in prep
aTatiOn and the most careful selection will
insure success. and, IL is 10 be hoped,
finally secure in this country the proper
~ o SIIn9riOr
healthful properties of the pork products
of America
Complaint Against German Wines.
In connection with the subject of exclu-
sion Of American products from Germany.
il may be stated as a fact Of interest that
the United States has had for some time
past a complaint against Germany which
it has treated in spirit of cour-
tesy and patience in marked con-
trast with the action of the German
government in making this last ex-
Ciusion decree and putting 1t in operation
without the slightest notice to our ambas-
SadOr. This complaint touches the integrity
of German wines. which are imported into
the United States in quantities 50 great
as TO make the volume of our fresh fruit
trade with Germany insignificant by com
parison. The State Department, having
had its attention directed to the statements
of eminent experts in Germany relative to
the great adulteration of these wines, laid
the matter before the German government
and courteously afforded it an opportunity
10 defend the character of the wines Only
q brief and unsatisfactory answer has so
far been received. and although that was
TWO years ago, odr government has not
Yet insisted upon taking radical action,
though, automatically speaking, the ques-
lion is still open
DISCRIMINATING In Railway Charges
Consul Keeran of Bremen has made 4
report 10 the State Department in regard
70 German railroad charges of lumber.
from which it appears that discriminating
charges are levied against American pitch
pire. Lumber, the consul explains. is list
ed under two classes, the charges being
E-uch greater in the case of class one as
FOR instance the charges from Bremen TO
Dresden for class enc is 53 cents, while
in class two. 49, cents
1t has been, and is now the practice Of
the Prussian railway" adds the consul,
70 list American pitch pine in class one
listed IN class two, similar woods from
SwedSn. Norway AID other countries are
listed. and as American pitch pine II is
said, is listed when the railway officials are
not aware of its origin. The trade In
American pitch pine in Bremen is consid-
eIable, and the Prussian railway is the
only means by which II can be conveyed
Into the Interior. This discrimin is
keenly felt by those engaged in the trade
and the hope is entertained by them that
some way may be found by which IT can be
removed. / am informed" concludes the
over whose roads this lumber is often con-
Neyed for short distances, not only does
not make this discrimination, hut protests
against its being made by the russian