Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-03
BLOW FROM GERMANY
PROHIBITION OF THE IMPORTA-
TION OF AMERICAN FRUIT.
ALLEGED DANGER FROM PARASITES.
Consignments stopped at Various
Points-What Does the Perform
Against Oar Present Tariff:

BERLIN, February 1.-The Prussian
Minister of Finance. DR.. Miguel, issued
a decree yesterday. which goes into effect
Immediately, prohibiting the importation
Of any kind of American fresh fruit.
The decree has been sent TO all the
German ports and frontier stations, ex-
cepting those in Bavaria, saxony, and
| Wurtemburg.
The United States. embassy was not
previously warned, and the United States
Ambassador, Mr. Andrew ID. White sent
a formal letter to the Foreign Office to-
day, enquTing upon what authority this
inimical step was taken.
The United States Consul at Hamburg,
DR.. Hugh Pitcairn. telegraphed that 5000
barrels of American apples have been for
hidden to be unloaded, and that two
trains-full Of American fruit have also
been forbidden to cross the frontier at
Emmerich, which, aside from Hamburg,
is the principal place of entry for Ameri-
can fruit.
On receipt of this news, Mr.. White sent
q second anu stronger ItIHOlnNidltC "
the Foreign Office, calling attention 10
the evident violation of the treaty.
At the Foreign Office it was learned
that the Prussian Government prohibits
the entry of American fruit on sanitary
grounds. claiming that California and
other vermir threaten German trees and
fruit.
NO COMPLAINT HERETOFORE.
To the knowledge of the State Depart
ment, no complaint has ever before been
made against the character Of American
fresh fruit The reports OF the United
States consuls show that the imports
Of the latter have found great favor IN
German cities, and the universal testi-
nony Of our consuls is that our apples
are so superior in every respect that
there is hardly a market for the German
apples in their vicinity.
The officials of the Agricultural Depart
ment have as yet received no information
on the subject. They are disposed to be-
lieve that the explanation that importa-
tions of fresh fruit will be prohibited be-
cause Of danger from vermin Is not
sincere one, but that Germany, having in
mind the recent legislation Of the Ameri-
can Government imposing a discrimi-
mating duty on bounty-paid sugar. has
taken this action as a sort Of retaliation.
1t is said that California fruit Is the
freest from vermin Of any in the United
States.
WHAT SENATORS SAY.
Senator Mills, a member Of the Foreign
Relations Committee, expressed the opin-
ion that Germanys action was the logical
sequence of our high-tarff system.
Il should not like to see American in
terests suffer-" he said, but we can't ex-
pect anything else under the circum-
stances"
Senator Bacon, of Georgia, also thought
the prohibition one of the results of our
tariff system. "They have the power
he said, "and l see nothing we can do TO
prevent their exercising it."
Senator Perkins, of California, when
shown the dispatch from Berlin, SAID
that the prevention of fruit importation
on sanitary grounds was a mere pretext,
and that it was simply 10 keep out fruits
which compete with German production
and the order was no doubt issued as
rc aliation against the United States be-
cause of the differential tariff on bounty
sugar.
Senator Perkins said he had no doubt
that the United States could meet this
new order by retaliation.
Senator McEnery, Of Louisiana, sald'
"If this country would only prohibit the
importation Of Germany's cutlery and
woollens, there would soon be an end OF
any discrimination against American pro-
ducts; and according TO my way OF
thinking, that is what should be done.
Senator Lodge, of tho Committee on
Foreign Relations, declined. TO say more
than that Germanys action was in clear
violation Of the treaty.
senator Burrows. OF the Committee on
Finance. thought the matter should Dc
Thoroughly investigated. He had no doubt
l,o htr thp CvCCutlue Df1uCn OIL
the government.
SENTIMENT IN THE HOUSE.
The news attracted much attention
among members Of the House OF Repre-
sentatives. Mi. HIT chairman OF the
Committee on Foreign Affairs, when
shown the Berlin dispatch. expressed sur
prise at the step taken. Without discuss
ing the motives OF the movement MT
Hit said IL was evident that Germany
based her course on sanitary grounds,
which would exclude the idea that the
move was of political and proscriptiVe
character.
Mr.. Hit thought tho present case look
ed much like the exclusion OF American
hogs. In that case, the right Of the gov
eminent 10 adopt sanitary restrictions
was not questioned, but the United States
made a dignifed showing that the facts
did not warrant the restrictions. ana
they were modified.
In the present case, Mr.. Hit felt that
our authorities would take steps TO learn
whether any sanitary evil could be at
tributed to the condition OF the fruit crop
In California, and II this was established
in the negative, he had no doubt courte-
Gus but firm representation would be
made to the German Government. with a
view TO showing that their action had
heen taken without a sufficient enquiry
into the facts
other members Of the House Foreign
Committee expressed the view that this
was part OF Germany's retaiiatory at
titude toward the United States.
MR.. DINGLEY'S VIEW.
Chairman Dinsley looked over the Ber-