The herald., 1898-02-08
SUSPICION GROWING
THAT GERMANY Is PLAYING
UNFAIRLY
Restriction Of Importation Of Ameri-
can Fruits Revives Comment on
Wine Adulteration

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7.-Ambassadol
White, at Berlin, by cable to the state
department, has confirmed the press re-
ports of the modification of the decree of
the German government relative to the
importation into Germany of American
fresh fruits. 1t is said there is now moth
ing to do on our part but to await the
workings of the decree as means of
testing the spirit in which it was con-
ceived, whether it was framed with the
single purpose of keeping out diseased
fruit OF whether it was not mere pre-
text to prevent the competition of our
fruit with that Of German production.
That the department has reason to sus-
pect the latter Is evidenced from the re-
port that comes to it from Consul
Barnes at Cologne, in which the consul
points out gross discrimination there
against American hams.
In connection with the subject OF eX-
clusion of American products from Ger
many, it may be stated as a fact of in
terest that the United States has had
for some time past complaint agains,
Germany which it has treated in spirit
of courtesy and patience, in marked con-
trast with the action of the German gov
ernment in making this last decree and
putting it in operation without the
slightest notice to our ambassador. This
complaint touches the integrity of Ger
man wines. which are imported into the
United States in quantities so great as
to make the volume of our fresh fruit
trade with Germany insignificant by
comparison. The state department haV-
ing had it's attention directed to the
statements of eminent experts in Ger
many relative to the great adulteratior
of these wines, laid the matter before
the German government and courteous
ly afforded it an opportunity to defend
the character of it's wines. Only briei
and unsatisfactory answer has been re-
ceived so far, and although this occurred
two years ago, our government has not
vet insisted upon taking radical action
though, automatically speaking, the
question is still open
MORE PROHIBITION
WASHINGTON, Feb. t. American
lumber is now the subject Of discrim'
ination at the hands of the Prussiar
government, according to the report OF
United States Consul Keenen at Bremen
The consul transmits the complaints OF
a number of lumber dealers against wha'
they regard as discriminating charges
against the carriage of American pitch
pine, which is listed as class l, at 6
higher rate than class 2, at which is
listed similar lumber from Norway
Sweden and other countries.
Representative W. A. Smith of Mich.
igan a member of the house committee
on foreign affairs, today introduced the
following resolution:
"Resolyed, That the secretary of state
be and is hereby requested, if not in
compatible with the public interest, tt
report to the house of representative:
forthwith such correspondence as ha.
passed between the American ambas
sador to Germany and the state depart
ment regarding attempted adulteratioi
of German wines for export to tn,
United States and the discrimination
by the German government agains
American expectation to that countr,
of beef, fruit and horses, in violation O
our commercial treaties or otherwise"
The resolution was referred to tn,
committee on foreign affairs.