The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-04
GERMANY'S FRUIT DECREE.
IL Is Considered Discourteous, without
Precedent. 4 niust and Unreasonable.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3-Advices were
received TINS afternoon from Ambassador
White relative to the decree OF exclusion
OF American fruit from Prussia. IL would
seem that the full details Of the decree
are not yet obtainablc In Berlin. but IL
Is said that the Ambassador viii cable
the entire decree as soon as he can OBJ
tain possession OF IL, The important facts
that were established by the advlces
were:
First That the decree OF exclusion uses
the word American as descriptive OF
the place OF origin OF the fruit. which
would seem TO include Canadian fruit
without question.
Second. That the decree, instead of APP
plying only TO fresh fruits, was at first
supposed, includes in the prohibition all
dried fruits from America.
State Department officials have not yet
recovered from their surprise 1T the
method adopted by tho German Govern
ment OF accomplishing It's object In this
matter. and undoubtedly the correspond
ence TO follow will set this out very
clearly.
The objection TO the course pursued IL
threefolu. In the first place. IL Is said
TO be entirely without precedent and dis
courteous toward the American Ambassa,
dor at Berlin to make the decree and
put II into effect without the slightes,
warning to him.
In the second place by making the de-
cree take effect AT once. and stopping all
1Tull III TRANSIT, great llJbStiIc II aVh0
10 Shippers who thus, without warning,
are made TO lose heavily on their capital
invested I'm the fruit.
Third The decree is condemned In that
II makes no provision for the admission
OF fruit OF absolute purity. permits no
demonstration OF origin or healthful con
dition. and. in fact. condemns all fruits
good and bad alike.
These considerations are 10 be Strongly
Urged upon the German Government
that IL may either revoke or modify the
decree before further radical action Is
taken.
LONDON. Feb. 4.-The Rerlin corre-
spondent OF the Times says:
ish. Prussia, received Geographic instruc-
tions on January 30th from Dr. MIGUEL,
the Prussian Minister Of Finance, TO stop
the importation OF fresh trult from
America. The Hamburg Senate issued 4
similar order on the following day.
Protests against the latter have Sc
cured from the Hamburg Senate permis-
sion-hrstly, for further export OF con
signments 10 England. and. secondly, LOT
consignments Of American apples that
have already reached Germany TO De he-
livered TO those to whom they are adj
dressed.
'"rhe subject occupied the attention OF
Bundesrath to-day Thursday. when ~
was decided that importation or fresh
fruit is only forbidden when the same Is
discovered to contain plant bug. Inc
prohibition does not extend TO ut'ci
fruits. but the importation of wind falls.
packing material and plants Is altogether
forbidden.
THE general Indignation aroused Is due
perhaps less to the commercial losses
that might ensue inasmuch as American
fruits bear relatively a small proportion
to the total fruit import, than 10 the ieel-
ing that the Government had been innu-
encad nv Algerian pressure.
BERLIN. Feb. at Is announced that
the Bundesrath (Federal CounciD In Pee
nary sitting to-day approved its commit :
tees proposal that a decree SHOULD %
issued prohibiting the importation from
America OF live plants and shrubs ana
packages containing the same. Inc De
, cree will also i'm a certain measure anect
American fruits. These are 10 be exam
ined by experts on their arrival az GER
man ports. and packages found TO be In
fected with the fruit louise Will be exclud-
ed Instructions TO this effect VIII be Ia
sued to the customs authorities.
This announcement. which Is made by
an official agency appears 10 Indicate a
measure distinct nom the decree Issued
on Tuesday by DR.. MIGUEL. the Prussian
Minister 81 Finance. prohibiting the I'M
portation of every kind OF American fresh
fruit. but II Is difficult TO ascertain the
exact details.
The Bundesrath's measure, Il is pointed
out Is Far less stringent than similar
mea sures at present enforced In individual
states OF the American Union
The Associated Press learns that tho
Hamburg authorities to-day permitted the
unloading OF apples from the United
States. owing 10 Instructions received
from Berlin az the result OF the protests
OF United States Ambassador White
against DR.. MiquePs decree.