Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-02-04
GERMANY'S DECREE.
PROTESTS SEEM TO HAVE LED TO
ITS MODIFICATION.
MIQUEIS ORDER SUPERSEDED.
The Danger Feared, 1t Appears. Is
from the san Jose PIant-Bug-The
Later Action Improves the situa-
sion Temporarily.


were received this afternoon from Am
bassador White relative to the decree OF
exclusion OF American fruit from Prussia.
1t would seem that the full details OF the
decree are not yet obtainable in Berlin.
but 1t is said that the Ambassador win
cable the entire decree as soon as he can
obtain possession of 1t.
The important facts that were estab-
lished by the advices were:
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 decree, instead of APP
plying only to fresh fruits. as was at first
supposed, includes in the prohibition all
| dried fruits from America.
State department officials have not yet
recovered from their surprise at the me-
thod adopted by the German Govern
ment of accomplishing its object In this
matter, and undoubtedly the correspond
ence 10 follow will set this out very
clearly.
OBJECTIONABLE PROCEEDINGS.
The objection to the course pursued Is
| three-fold. In the first place, 1t Is said
TO be entirely without precedent, and dis
courteous toward the American Ambas-
sador at Berlin, to make the decree and
put II into effect without the slightest
warning TO him.
In the second place. by making the de-
cree 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 heavily on their capital
invested in the fruit.
Third. The decree is condemned In that
II makes no provision for the admission
of fruit of absolute purity. permits no
demonstration Of origin or healthful con-
| dition, and, in fact, condemns all fruits,
good and bad alike.
These considerations are to be strongly
urged upon the German Government, that
II may either revoke or modify the de-
cree before further radical action is
| taken.
| AN ANTI-PLANT DECREE.
| BERLIN, February 3.-It is announced
that the Bundesrath Federal CounciD,
in plenary sitting to-day. approved its
committees proposal that decree should
be issued prohibiting the importation from
America of live plants and shrubs, and
packages containing the same. The de-
cree will also, in a certain measure. af-
! feet American fruits. These are to be
| examined by experts on their arrival al
German ports, and packages found 10
be infected with the fruit louise will be
excluded instructions to this effect
will be issued to the customs authorities
This announcement, which Is made by
an official agency. appears To indicate q
measure distinct from the decree Issued
Il Ilrrnn Ia
| Minister of Finance, prohibiting the I'M
portation Of every kind of American
fresh fruit. but It is difficult to ascertain
the exact details.
The Bundesrath's measure. ii Is pointed
out, is "far less stringent than similar
measures at present enforced in individual
States Of the American Union"
The Associated Press learns that the
Hamburg authorities to-day permitted the
unloading of apples from the United
States, owing to instructions received
from Berlin as the result Of protests OF
United States Ambassador White against
Dr. Miquels decree
MIGUEL SUPERSEDED.
The Associated Press ascertains .ha
the Bundesrath supersedes with its au-
thority DR.. Miquers decree, which seems
il-advised In its rigor and suddenness
and WnlCn, pIONlSlOHdi' WteH
occasioned by the recently reported re-
suits of experiments by DR.. Friedrich Vor
Kueger of the Agricultural High School
The Bundesrath's action is due, The
Associated Press is informed, 10 series
OF vigorous protests from the shippers
affected. and especially those Of Ham
burg, on the lower Rhine. and at EN-
merich. and still more to the protests OF
Ambassador White.
Its decision forbids the importation only
where the fruit is affected b. the uspi-
diotus perniciosus, or san Jose pant
bug. which is said TO have done enormous
damage in the United States.
The Bundesrath decree applies TO the
whole of Germany, and makes matters
momentarily better. but it is believed
that its future Interpretation will largely
correspond with DR.. MiquePs decree
Parties interested here fear that me
United States will resort to reprisals.
Following are last years fresh-frui'
imports. in hundredweights: American
O6'OOO: Austro-Hungarian, 100000; Dutch
SCI ,OOO Belgian. $4,000; Italian. 100000.
MODIFICATION OF DEGREES.
LONDON. February 4.-The Berlin cor
respondent of the Times says: The Gus
toms officials at Emmerich. Rhenish Prus-
STA. received telegraphic Instructions vi
/ January SUtn, from Ut. hiquSi' 'hc "a"
sian Minister of Finance, 10 stop the I'M
portation OF fresh fruit from America
The Hamburg Senate issued a similar
order on the following day.
protests against the latter have Sc
cured from the Hamburg Senate permis-
sion. firstly, for further export OF con
signments TO England; and, secondly, Ior
| consignments of American apples tha'
have already reached Germany TO be de-
livered to those TO whom they are al
| dressed.
''The subject occupied the attention OF
the Bundesrath to-day Thursday. when
IL was decided that the importation OF
fresh fruit is only forbidden when the
same Is discovered to contain O plant
bug. The prohibition does not extend 10
dried fruits: but the Importation OF wind
falls. packing material, and plants Is al
together forbidden.
''The general indignation aroused is due,
nerhaps. less 10 the commercial losses
! that might ensue, inasmuch as American
fruits bear relatively a small proportion
10 the total fruit import, than TO the feel
ing that the government had been lnnu-
| enced by Agrarian pressure.