The San Francisco call., 1898-02-05
MEANS A TARIFF WAR.
Even the German Newspapers Rec- ognize the Unfairness of the
 Decree


 BERLIN. Feb 1.-The Reichsanzei
 ger this afternoon publishes the fol- lowing: The American Agricultural Departments report on the San Jose shield louse led to an official inquiry here as to the circumstances under which American fruits are imported. Professor Frank, on January 29, found on California pears arriving at Ham, burg numerous living, breeding shield lice, absolutely identical with the San Jose shield lice. He consequently ex- pressed the opinion that the home fruit cultivation was exposed to grave ma terial danger thereby. A conference of the specialists and the report of the Imperial Office of Health confirmed this view In every particular. Thus the necessity for prompt measures for protection was fully demonstrated. The ReichSanZeiger then describes the extraordinary harmfulness of the San Jose louse, according to publica- tions of the Washington Agricultural Department, and the measures taken in America, notably Oregon and Brit ish Columbia, and continues Tt Is thus the unavoidable duty of the Gov ernment to give efficacious protection to the home fruit industry from the danger of disease here.'
 l uc IlSlCllSdHZSlScI tIleH SlNeS LnS regulations adopted and concludes with pointing out phyllcxera as an example of the danger of not adopting immedi- ate protective measures, while the Col orado bug, it is added, has been kept out by timely precautions.
 Under the heading, "Order, Counter order, Disorder" the Tageblatt to-day describes the bungling of Prussia with American fruits, and asks: Are we int orfff TO with the United States because we have petted the Agrarian desires?"
 The VorwaertS publishes an article headed, "Agrarian Attack on America" detailing the stupidity which the diff ferent revenue stations display in in- terpreting the prohibitory degree. Other liberal newspapers make similar comment
 The issuance of the decree was brought about as follows: The Minister of Agriculture, Baron von Hammer stein Loxten, saw Dr. ,Mquel, the Min 1ster of Finance and Vice-President of the Ministry, January 30, and asked that decree be issued forthwith pro- hibiting absolutely the importation of all American fruit, fresh and dried, and all products of American nurseries Dr. Miquel telegraphed the order to all the revenue stations, making it effective on February 1. United States Ambassador Wite immediately vigorously remon- strated with the Foreign Office by note
 and verbally and the decree was an- nulled temporarily February g.
 During the annullment the fruit was
 released at Hamburg, Emmerich and Dusseldorf. The decree was re-estab- !ished February 3, in milder form, be- ing made enforcible against fresh fruit only. Meanwhile Mr. White con- tinued making strong protest to Baron von Bulow, the Minister of Foreign Af- fairs, who in consequence had a special
 audience with the Emperor yesterday
 morning on the subject, resulting in the Bundesrath holding a meeting and issuing yesterdays resolutions the text of which has not yet reached Mr. White, but it is known that the word ing is so loose as to be open to a score of interpretations. It Is generally sur
 missed that it will practically mean prohibition.
 The official statement of the Reich sanzeiger on the subject of the meas
 ures taken to prevent the importation
 of affected" American fruit was com
 municated tonight to the officials of the United States embassy
 The Agrarian newspapers thank the Government for the prohibition. The
 Tageblatt asks why the importation of
 healthy living plants Is prohibited and
 says: Such extreme measures will doubtless provoke retaliation"