The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-02-08
GERMANY'S RESTRICTIONS.
Embargo on Fruit Has Been Con-
sidcrably Modified.
ANIMuS AGAINST AMERICA REMAINS.
Cross Discrimination Against Pork
from United states Is Bcing
Made by Local officials.

Washington, February Z. - Ambassador
White, ut 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 tho Importation into
Germany Of American fresh fruits. 1t is said
that there is now nothing to do on our part
but TO watch the workings of the decree as
n means OF testing the spirit in which II was
conceived. whether 1t was framed with the
single purpose of keeping out diseased fruit
or whether II was merely pretext to prevent
the competition of our fruits with those of
German production. That the department has
reason to suspect the latter is evidenced in
the report that comes from United States
Consul Barnes mt Cologne, Germany. In Which
the consul points out gross discrimination by
tho local German officials against American
mans The consul encloses the following
translation OF decree printed in the local
newspaper OF Cologne.
The chief mayor publishes the following
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 be-
fore being offered for sale, the meat was
strongly itnprognatcd with boracic acid
and crystals OF borax hau formed on the
bone, as was shown by the results of the
chemical examination. Now the court OF
correction has declared. on the basis of
the opinion OF experts. that boracic acid Is
q poison liable to iujure the health OF
human beings, 1t Is therefore not per-
mittcd to keep on sale or sell meat that is
preserved with boracic acid, and all those
who act against this order Will be pro-
ceeded against according to the imperial
law OF May H. 1879, touching the trade in
food
To this extract he adds: an Germany pork
is colored by what is known as the wet
process" Che dry process in use in America
being unknown) and requires the following
ingredients in preparation: Thirty per cent
OF boracc acid, 80 per cent of nitrate of pot
ash and 30 per cent of common suit
I'm view of the composition of this prep
araton it appears that the court OF correction
permits the use Of u limited quantity of
boracic acid by the people Of this country In
the curing of their meats. while 1t condemns
and forbids the use Of the same article in
the meats coming from America, In other
poison. while in German products 1t is. we
must infer, palatable and heathful. IL seems
well nigh impossible to overcome the deep
seated prejudice of the German people against
American meat products, and only the great
est care IN preparation and most careful Sc
lection will insure success and, 1t is to be
hoped finally secure in this country the
proper recognition of the superiority in quail
ity and healthful properties of the products
of America. "
In connection with the subject of exclusion
of American products from Germany It may
be stated as fact OF interest that the United
States has for some time past had complaint
against German products. which II has treated
In spirit of courtesy and patience t., marked
contrast with the action of the Ian gov
eminent In making this last exclusion decree
and putting II In operation without the slight
est notice to our Ambassador. This com
plant touches the integrity of German wines.