The times., 1899-03-13
PORTER IN BERLIN.
His Work for More Cordial Com
mercinI Relations.

Berlin. March 12-Althcugh Robert P.
Porter since his arrival here has repeatedly
announced to the official world and 10 the
press that his mission is in no wise au-
thorized by the United States Government,
his stay here has attraclHd considerable
attention. and is productive of good results
A series Of interviews has appeared in some
Of the leading papers. in which Mr.. Porter
has strongly pointed out the mutual ad-
vantages of intimate commercial relations
between the two countries
The comments on his utterances have
been extensive and varied. The agrarian
press does not look favorably upon them
The 'kreuz-Zeitung" takes exception TO
the fact that Mr.. Porter has nowhere hint
ed at American concessions, aud says:
Under sach circumstances it would be most
difficult tor GeImaHy to conclude d commercial
treay with The United States
The semi-officisl Post" disputes the
correctness CT Mr.. Porter's figures on the
subject of German exports TO the United
States. denies the justice of his conclusions
and adds:
1t i undrHiablc i., German imports from the
Initcd states vastly Increased during 1SIS. while
thr exports TO America decreased D; pDJ.D on com
pared with 1897, and io.Ogj,oDp compared with
l-J.
The commercial and Liberal press, how
ever. halls Mr. Porter's declarations with
satisfaction The Cologne Gazette" says.
We believe the statements of Nf Porter have
done both cnuuFie, -~rvicc. similar to one BJrun
Won Bur!"w did the other dag in pointing out
thing favciIhlc TO q friendly intercourse bee
tween Germany and Amcriyg More ti,4u th;- il
is pointed oUt how useful 90 both would b- q
friendly commercial p0li,y. and s'iii more II i-
-sen that ij VIII not i'- iIf difficult 20 ct
tain nlaus people believe. surely the Interests
% both ruBuIGirs are thus better -sryrd than
hy the attacks upon Mr rortrf's reasonable
statements iH wiurtl tiIe ssfsI.aa pres, indulge.
Ifv- putting itself ihr l-gri with il- -p-,aIioi
yellow pres 0i America Tie Government Will
not follow ihr Igrsriau- INTO . iarid tyIr uulc--
tile road L. a commercial treaty is blocked by
H-IIEuIrlHtie "ts>larl'-, and tir gElri. Thought
ilr manner in which influential Ani.fI,ai.- have
lately been discussing ma'tsi, permits no hui,o
tlsa, sucn obstacle. viii arise.
4 number Of other influential papers dis
cussed the matter in a similar strain.
The government has taken pains to show
Mr. Porter that his efforts toward a better
understanding commercially between the
two countries are duly appreciated. and
Baron Won Bueiow has asked Ambassador
White TO bring Mr.. Porter TO the diplomatic
reception on Wednesday. as the Foreign
Minister wishes TO converse with him. Sim
liar invitations have been extended to Mr
Porter by Count Won Posodowsky- Wehner.
Secretary Of the Interior. and Baron yOn
Thielmann. Secretary of the Imperial
Treasury. AT the instance Of the govern
ment Mr.. Porter this week fully explained
the new tariffs of Cuba and Porto Rico to
a commission of experts.
Mr. Porter has told the correspondents
that 4 serious discrepancy exists between
the figures Of the imports and exports or
Germany and the United States furnished
TO the United States Treasury and those
apparently drawn from German official
sources and quoted in the agrarian press
This explains the different conclusions
reached.
Part of the week was spent by Mr. POr-
ter at Magdeburg studying the sugar ques-
tiOn from the German pofnc OF view. A
man largely interested in the industry told
Mr.. Porter that it was hoped the United
tarid on German sugar as a preliminary
condition 10 the conclusion OF a CONNER
cal treaty. Ee also furnished statements
apparently showing that the large German
manufacturers could produce sugar as low
as cents pound which, il true would
enable them TO compete with Cuban sugar
The United States Ambassador gave a
dinner tonight in honor Of Mr.. Porter. The
guests included DR.. yon Miguel. the Prus-
sian Minister OF Finance. Herr Wagner
the social economist. of Crefeld; Herr
Siemens. Herr Loewe. and a number of per
sons interested in industrial pursuits.