Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-02-05
THE FRUIT PRHIBITION.
Yesterdays Developments in Washington
and Berlin.

the bungling of Prussia with Ameri-
can fruits, and asks Are we really
drifting into fierce tariff war with
the United States because we have
petted the agrarian desirea"
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 decree. 9th
er liberal newspapers make similar
comment
The issuance of the decree was
brought about as follows:
The minister of agriculture, Baron
Won Hammerstein-Loxt saw Dr..
MIGUEL, the minister Of finance and
vice president Of the ministry, en- Jan
uary 80, and earnestly asked that de-
cree be issued forthwith prohibiting
absolutely the importation Of all
American fruit, fresh and dried, and
all products of American nurseries.
DR.. MIGUEL telegraphed the order to
tive on February l. The United States
Ambassador, Mr. Andrew D. White,
Immediately vigorously demonstrated
at the foreign office, both in writing
and verbally. and the decree was tenn
porarily annulled on February 9. Dur
ing the annulment, the fruit was re-
leased at Hamburg, Emmerich and
Dusseldorf. The decree was re-estab-
lished on February 3, in a milder form,
being made enforceable against fresh
fruit only. In the meanwhile Mr..
White continued making strong pro-
tests to Baron Won BuelOw the min
lister of foreign affairs, who in cOnse-
Quence had special audience of the
Emperor yesterday morning on the
subject resulting in the BundeSrath
holding a meeting and issuing yester-
days resolution, the text Of which has
not yet reached Mr. White. But it is
known that the wording is so loose as
to be open to a score Of interpretations.
1t is generally surmised that it will
practically mean prohibition.
Mr.. White last evening lodged an
other formal protest with Baron Won
Buelow as in spite of the Bundles
rath's resolution, American fresh fruit
is everywhere excluded.
The United States consul at Dussel-
dorf telegraphed here to-day that only
dried frNits 1l2d been released and
that there were about 1000 barrels Of
apples in. the bonded warehouses there.
The United States embassy during
the week has been flooded with APP
peals from fruit merchants, dealers
and shippers who have been injured
by the decree, and several of them
have thanked Mr.. White for the vigor-
Gus measures he has adopted.
1t appears that DR.. MIGUEL and
Baron Won Hammerstein-LoXten is
sued the decree without the authority
of the Prussian cabinet or the Bundles
rath.
Berlin. February 4-The official
statement of the ReichsanZeiger, on
the subject of the measures taken to
prevent the Importation of affected
American fruit, ETC., was communi-
Gated tonight to the officials of the
United States embassy.
The Agrarians newspapers thank
the government for the prohibition.
The Tageblatt asks why the impor-
tation Of the healthy, living plants is
prohibited. and says: "Such extreme
measures will doubtless provoke re-
taliation.'
The United States ambassador was
entertained at dinner this evening by
Baron Won Granddaughter, the min
lister of Brunswick.
Berlin, February 4.-Baron Won
Hammerstein-LOXte the minister OF
agriculture. at to-day's session Of the
Plussian diet. declared that American
horses developed influenza after i'm
portation. He added: IF the impOr-
tations increase we shall certainly be
forced to adopt a suitable quarantine
in order to protect ourselves.
WASHINGTON, February A number
of TOPICS were discussed at to-day's cabi-
net meeting, but perhaps that Of the most
interest was the dispensation Of federal
patronage in the southern States, where
the Republican party has no representa-
tives in Congress. 1t is probable that
several important appointments will be
made in the south soon, though the Pres
ident has not yet absolutely and finally
determined on them.
decree 81
relative to American fruit was talked over
and figures We're produced to show the
great importance Of the trade put in ieop-
ardy by this sudden and unprecedented
action on the part Of Germany. The mod
ification of the decree, made known by
the latest advices from Ambassador
White, was taken as an evidence that
the matter is still subject to diplomatic
adjustment.
The Attorney General made known to
the cabinet the state of the negotiations
now going on as to the foreclosure and
sale of the Kansas Pacific railway prop
erty, and it was decided that the outlook
was very favorable for the government S
interests.
Secretary Wilson stated IN the course Of
the discussion over Germany's action that
ii was undoubtedly true that certain well
known fruit diseases could be carried on
the fruit itself and thus the infection
could be communicated to healthful trees
at great distance 1t was explained
that certain States of the Union in times
past had prohibited the bringing within
its borders of particular kinds Of fruit
from infected sections in other States.
The action of Prussia might therefore be
entirely proper and clearly within their
right Neither the President nor any of
the members of the cabinet were disturb
cd by the incident or disposed 10 preju-
dice the case in the absence of definite in
formation Ambassadors Whites report
will be awaited with interest. and should
it appear that Prussias action was
1,r0ta, MED by 81 Snifit Of retaliation for