The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-12
COMMENTS OF GERMAN PRESS
ON THE SAMOAN, PHILIPPINE AND
OTHER CURRENT TOPICS.
Statements from Ambassadors White
and a "High Government OGciaH'
-Agrarfan InsOIence.


BERLIN, Feb. lin the Reichstag to-
day Count Won Kanitz, the Agrarian lead
er, at the instance of the German govern
ment. interpellated the government on the
question of the commercial relations be-
tween the United States and Germany. The
minister of foreign affairs, Baron Won Bue-
low, intimated his readiness to reply forth
with. In introducing the Interpolation
Count Won Kanitz referred to the prohibl-
tive effects of the Dingley bill and contrast
ed the decrease of German exports with
the increase in American exports. He said
that to denounce the treaties containing
the fayored-nation clause was now scarcely
necessary, as the Americans no longer
fully observed their treaty, The Americans,
he added. must be made to understand that
the Germans had no need whatever to OBJ
tain their whole list of necessaries from
them alone. II one country closed its mar
kets to another, good commercial relations
could not permanently continue. In this
connection it was in the interest of Ger
man agriculture to uphold the purchasing
power Of the country against American
measures. A tS ciff war was certainly unde-
sirable, but, in the event of such a strug
gle, America, owing to the greater volume
of her imports. had much more to lose than
Germany The count concluded by express
ing the hope that the federal government
would act both cautiously and energetical-
ly. His remarks were applauded by the
Rghtsts.
Baron Won Buelow replied that it was
impossible, in view of pending negotiations,
to make an exF "st',.a declaration of the
position taken bl 49, -.9Tman and American
governments. In the specific question, Ger
many's difference with America. was main
ly attributable to conflicting interpreta-
tions of the favored-nation treatment as
sured by the treaty of 1923. Loud Conser-
vative interruptions.l The baron then read
part of the treaty and continued: The
German government has always considered
these clauses of the treaty as implying un-
limited most-favored-nation treatment for
Germany in all tariff questions. Conces-
sions of any other kind which the United
States might grant to third state, in re-
turn for some special compensation, Ger
many would only claim if she made a cor
responding return to the United States
From this view is based the well-weighed
meaning and text of the treaties Germany
cannot recede from this position.
A CUSTOMS SURTAX.
LAS regards the differental treatment Of
German sugar apart from the Dingley tariff,
the German government objected that this
treatment was opposed to the most favored
nation treatment and that it was a customs
SurtaX incorrectly calculated. We have Sc
cured the removal of the differential charges
arising from unfair reckoning of the surtax,
but Germany has a further demand respect
ing the deduction of additional excise from
ba Vryh{p hoe
persistently rejected. On the other hand,
the American government has promised to
consider Germanys proposal for the deduc-
tion of the general industrial tax to which
German sugar is subject.
THE question of tonnage dues has arisen
from the fact that, in view of our declara-
tion of 1888, according to which no tonnage
or lighthouse dues corresponding to the
American tonnage and lighthouse duties are
collected at German harbors, America
granted vessels from Germany exemption
from these dues and afterward withdrew the
exemption, although III the meantime no
change whatever was made in the German
shipping dues and the situation having in
every respect remained as 1t was. There
was, however indications of an inclination
on the part OF the United States, by amend
ing the present legislation, to remove all
causes for complaint.
Again, our Interpretation of the most
favored nation treatment does not admit
that the United States should not grant us
the same tariff reduction as France obtained
for various goods under the reciprocity con-
vention of 1895, and which was recently ex-
tended to the same products from Switzer-
land.
Regarding the complaints of our export
ers at the high rates of the Dingiey tariff
and the manner in which the American
tariff regulations were enforced and the un-
suitableness of interchangeable duties and
the burdensome regulations of the American
customs procedure they have been the sub
ject of repeated and urgent representations
to the American government for a concilia-
ton of the conflicting views of our rights,
and a satisfactory understanding is pending.
There must be for both sides an apprecia-
ton of how far reaching for each of the
countries are the national interests involved,
and in view of the increasing development
of American exports TO Germany We must
assume that the same view is held in the
United States. L hope that at no distant
date a solution of the existing difficulties
will be attained, acceptable and satisfactory
10 both parties. The federal government
claims the confidence of the Reichstag that
it will know how to follow such a course as
will lead to the interests of the fatherland,
intrusted to the ministers being permanent
Iy safeguarded in the best and safest way"
LIKENlED TO PLUMP DUCKS.
Baron Won Buelow again rose and said:
"In the dispatch by Germany of a squadron
to east Asia during the Hispano-American
war we We're guided solely by the legitimate
obligation imposed upon US of protecting
German subjects and German trade at
Manila. We were never, for a single mo-
ment. disloyal TO honorable neutrality.