The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-08
Fresh Evidence that Her Excuses for
Placing Restrictions ON Our Prod
ucts Are Thin Subterfuges.
AMERICAN HAMS LIBELED
AND GROSS DISSEMINATION MADE
AGAINST PINE LUMBER.
Press Reports of Modification of the
Recent Fruit Decree Confirmed
by Ambassadors White.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7.-Ambassador
White. at Berlin by cable to the State De-
partment. has confirmed the press reports
of the modification of the decree of the
German government relative to. the impor-
tation into Germany of American fresh
fruits 1t is said that there is now moth
ing to do on our part but to watch the
workings of the decree a means of test
ing the spirit in which it was conceived
whether it was framed with the single pur-
pose of keeping out diseased fruit or wheth-
er ii was not mere pretext to prevent the
competition of our fruit with that of Ger
man production. That the department has
reason to suspect the latter is evidenced
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 a decree printed in the local
newspapers of Cologne:
THE chief mayor publishes the follow
ing notice: American hams have been
brought into the market which were
painted with boracic acid in order
to preserve them. Although they
were carefully washed before being Of
fered for sale the meat was strongly i'm
pregnated with boracic acid, and crystals of
shown by the results of the chemical ex-
animation. Now the court has declared, on
the basis of the opinion OF experts X s that
jure the health of human beings. 1t is,
therefore, not permitted to keep on sale
meat that is preserved with boracic acid
and ali those who act against this order
will be proceeded against according to the
Imperial law of May IA, 1879, touching the
trade in food.
Continuing, the consul says: 'In Ger
NV, ux,l,o &c lvnu nc
the wet process (the dry process in use
In America being unknown and requires
the following ingredients in the prepara-
ton to wit: Thirty per cent. of boracic 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 authorities permit the use of a
limited quantity of horacic acid by the peo-
pie of this country in curing of their meats,
while it condemns and forbids the use of
the same article in the meats coming from
America. In other words boracic acid in
American meats is poison while in Ger
man products it is, we must infer, palatable
and healthful. 1t seems well nigh impos-
sible to overcome the deep-seated prejuulces
of the German. people against American
meat products and only the greatest care
IN preparation and the most careful selec-
ton will insure success, and it is to be
hoped, finally secure IN this country the
proper recognition of the superior quality
and healthtul properties of the pork prod
ucts of America"
In connection with the subject of exclu-
sion of American products from Germany
it may be stated a fact of interest that
the United States has had for some time
past a complaint against Germany which
it has treated in a spirit of courtesy and
patience i'll marked contrast with the action
of the German government in making this
last exclusion decree and putting it in OPP
Grafton without the slightest notice to our
ambassador. This complaint touches the
integrity of German wines, which are inn
ported into the United States in quantities
so great as 20 make the volume of our
fresh fruit trade with Germany insignifi-
cant by comparison. 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 cOurteOuSy afforded it an
wines. Only a brief and unsatisfactory an
swer has been received so far and although
that was two years ago our government has
not yet insisted upon taking radical action
though, automatically speaking, the ques-
ton is still OPEN
American lumber is also the subject of
discrimination at the hands of the Prussian
Diet. according to the report OF the United
States consul at Bremen, Mr.. keenan,. The
consul transmits the complaints of a num-
Der of lumber dealers against what they
regard as discriminating charges against
the carriage of American pitch pine, levied
by the Prussian railways. This pitch pine
is listed as Glass ], at a higher rate than
Glass 9 on which is listed a similar wood
from Sweden Norway and other countries
1t is also said that American pitch pine is
allowed to go at the lower rate if the Off
Gals do not know where 1t originated. The
trade is considerable, and this PrusSian
railway is the only means by which the
wood can be taken into the interior. so the
d scrimnation is keenly felt says the con-