The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-17
NEGOTIATIONS DELAYED
LITTLE PROGRESS IN EXPECTING
RECIPROCITY WITH GERMANY.
Tarih War Not OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Changes I'm Statutes Covering Pos
tai Law Violations.

arrangement under the terms of the Dingley
tariff act develops the fact that while these
have not progressed very rapidly Of late
principally owing to the deep absorption OF
the officials charged with tariff questions
in the Canadian negotiations, yet on the
whole there has been some advancement
and certainly nothing has occurred that
from the United States point Of view would
Indicate failure of the negotiations. There
fore, it is regretted that the temper IN Ger
many, not only of the unofficial newspa-
pers, but also Of the official class, as re-
vealed in the public declarations of Cabinet
officers, has taken turn that promises to
retard instead Of assisting these negotia-
tions Our officials have noted the many
more or less open threats on the part of
the Germans to institute a tariff war
against the United States. These have been
generally ascribed to small and turbulent
minority of the German people and not to
the sober-minded conservative and respon-
sible business elements. 1t is an unwelcome
development, therefore, to learn that Off
Gals are giving aid and encouragement to
the hostile Agrarian party in its onslaughts
upon the United States. Should it come to
tariff war there is every confidence in
official circles in the United States that this
would be short, sharp and decisive and that
Germany would be the greatest sufferer, be-
Ing put to the necessity of paying double
duties on United States products purchased
through other countries. it is true, but
nevertheless Of American origin and sources
OF profit to American producers. On the
other hand nearly all Of the imports from
Germany to the United States are manufac-
tured products which can be very easily
procured elsewhere for very slight advances
IN price, II 1t be not possible to produce
them within the limits of the United States
or its insular holdings.
It is learned that the most serious issue
between the two countries connected with
the very radical different constructions
placed by each upon the most favored nation
clause of the commercial treaties Germany
always has insisted on claiming every con-
cession that was made to any other nation.
The United States has insisted that there
must be equivalent concession granted by
Germany a condition of extending to her
the concessions accorded to a third party. In
other words there must be quid pro quo
and it is insisted by the United States that
1t alone shall determine when this equiVa-
lent is rendered; we refuse to allow Ger
many to decide for us that conditions are
or are not similar.
The report of the committee on the cod-
fication of the United States criminal and
penal laws is about completed and the por-
ton of it covering offenses against the pos
tai laws has been submitted as a special re-
port to Congress. The report says that in
numerous instances where penalties have
been recovered by civil process in the ma
ture of actions for debt provisions for Grim
inal prosecutions have been substituted as
more efficacious. Other changes are report
ed having in view a moro proportionate adj
justment of penalties to the gravity of the
offenses respectively defined in which the
present laws, having been adopted from
time to time, are faulty. A provision has
been inserted inhibiting the maintenance of
private postoffices and letter boxes. This
Is in conformity" the committee says,
with the general policy of this govern
considerations OF great weight it being
found that in the larger cities these institu-
tons are made the instrumentalities of
practices partaking of fraud and immoral
ity. In a recent instance in New York they
were employed as the means by which two
human lives were sacrificed under circum-
stances OF grave criminality."
Another section forbids the unlawful ex-
ercise of the office of the postmaster or
other employment in the postal service. to
prevent practice more or less common.
Section 347S (Revised Statutes) has been
amended to meet the question whether
United States protection can be extended
over depreciation offenses against other
property by reason of postoffice location
IN the same building, the provision added
offense defined in this title or to steal or to
purloin any money or other property Of the
United States. Sections 1922 Is, inclusive,
and amendatory acts prohibiting removal
and reuse of stamps, have been consolidated
INTO single section with a maximum and
minimum penalty Postmasters selling
I've jurisdiction TO increase their compensa-
ton are to be subject to penal punishment.
To meet Supreme Court rulings in constru-
ing the act of Sept. 26, 1885, amendatory of
Section 1898. as to obscenity, etc, these
have been zen revived with an addition. of the
words indecent, filthy or vulgar" The
postal transmission of poisonous, infectious
or explosive matter also is prohibited in a
new section, with a certain discretion to
admtssibiitty vested in the postmaster gen
eral. The language of Section 1853, Revised
Statutes, respecting misrepresentation of
postal funds or proportion, Is so amplifed
that Its protection may be extended to
money or property which shall have come
into the possession or under the control of
any officer or employee of the Postofice De-
partment in execution of such office or en-
ployment or under color or claim of author
ity SUCH
The lack of a commercial treaty with
Spain. the former treaty having been ter
minated by the war, is not altogether pre-
venting the trade between the countries, al
though American products are handicapped
by an additional 20 per cent. duty in Span
fish ports, owing to the lack Of a treaty.
Still, even under these conditions, United
States Consular Agent Mertens at Valen-
cha, reports to the State Department that
there is a great demand FOR American
wheat. A cargo or 4,Op0 tons or red winter
wheat which had just arrived there proved
entirely satisfactory, and importers are
willing to receive more. The consular agent
says: The price seems to compare favora-
bly, with that Of Russian wheat, the kind
generally imported here when there is a de-
mand for foreign wheat, although American
wheat pays 20 per cent. higher duties than
grain from countries which have CONNER
cial treaty with Spain. This Is the first di-
rect shipment from the United States to
this port since tho war. The consular
agent above quoted remained at his post
throughout the entire war, and even con-
tinued in the discharge of his official func-
ton.
Lord Herschen. of the joint American
Canadian commission. received a quite pain
full injury 10 his left hip yesterday. through
a fall on the ice on X street He was car
ried TO his apartments at the Shoreham by
q passing carriage, and has since been con-
fined to his bed. His attending physician
the fall.
The military affairs committee of the
House to-day reported favorably the Senate
bill to make Adjutant General H. c. Corbin
a major general. The House bill for the
same purpose has been reported already.
and this action to-day was taken to faciIf-
tate action upon II in the House. II is not
the intention Of Chairman Hull to ask
unanimous consent for consideration of this
bill, but 10 move its passage under suspen-
sion of tho rules during the last SIX days
OF the session.
The President to-day nominated Ernest p
Goodrich, of Michigan, Leonard n. Cox, of
Kentucky. and Alfred c. Lewerenz, of
Michigan, to be civil engineers in the navy.
The Senate confirmed these nominations:
90