The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1898-02-04
are endangered. even if this fact should
be esta bNshed is not made plain

are endangered. even if this fact should
be established, is not made plain.
One of the standing complaints
against American dried fruit. the trade
in which with Germany has assumed
enormous proportions, is again brought
to official notice by report that comes
to the State Department from United
States Consul Ozmun. at Stuttgart, and
is to-day made public in the daily con-
sular reports. He transmits a notice
issued by the Chief of Police of Stuff
cart to the effect that most of the SAM
pies of American appleings, or dried APP
pies, taken from the local retailers show
the addition of metallic zinc in quanti-
ties of 0.5 grams to the kilogram, and
warning all dealers that they viii be
punished and their goods confiscated if
further sales of such goods are made.
This comolaint was made TO the De-
partment of State about two years ago.
the German Chief of Police in Cologne
asserting in his notice that the zinc
was present in the apples because the
Americans dry the fruit on zinc trays
instead of wooden bars, as we do Inn
mediately one of the most enterprising
OF our Consuls in Germany visited an
al SAPOS4tiOii tltth SUMS Oii
in Germany, and reported that all of the
fruit evaporators exhibited, about four
teen in number, were filed with the al
legged harmful zine trays, which We're
freely used in Germany.
During the afternoon further advices
We're received from ambassador White
as to the nature of the decree 1t would
seem that the full details are not yet
Ill
that the ambassador will cable the en-
tire decree as soon as he can obtain pos
session of it. The important facts that
We're established by the last advices
We're:
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 de-
cree, instead of applying only to fresh
fruit, as was at first supposed, includes
in the prohibition all dried fruits from
America.
State Department officials have not
yet recovered from their surprise a. the
method adopted by the German Gov
eminent in accomplishing its object in
this matter. and undoubtedly the cor
respondence to follow will set this out
very clearly. The objection TO the
course pursued is threefold. In the
first place, it is said to be entirely with
out the slightest warning or precedent,
and discourteous toward the Embassa-
dor at Berlin, to make the decree and
put il into effect without the slightest
warning to him. In the second place, by
making the decree take effect at once,
and stopping all fruit in transit, a great
injustice is done to shippers, who thus,
without warning, are made to lose heav-
lily on their capital invested in the fruits.
Third, the decree is condemned in that
it makes no provision for the admission
of fruit of absolute purity: permits no
demonstra ton of origin or healthful
condition and in fact. condemns all
fruit, good or bad, alike. These consd-
erations are to be strongly urged upon
the German Government as reasons why
it should either revoke or modify the
decree on the lines indicated. before any
more radical action is taken.