The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-08-21
AGRAR|AN|SM
IN GERMANY
Movement Is Gaining in
Strength.
OPINIONS OF AN EXPERT
INTERVIEW WITH ATTACHE OF
GERMAN EMBASSY.
Speaks Concerning the Status Of the
Meat Inspection Bill and the
Exports of Sugar to This
Country.
Special Dispatch to The Call.

( WASHINGTON, Aug. 2o.-Baron Won
Herman, agricultural expert of the Ger
man Embassy. is back from visit to
Germany where he observed the progress
of the meat inspection bill in the Reich
stag and noted the development of the
Agraran movement which is having such
a marked influence on German affairs, in
Guiding the question of exporting German
beet sugar to the United States. When
asked as to the status of the meat inspec-
ton bill he said:
THE bill was brought before the
Reichstag last spring, but strong oppo-
sition developed among Agrarian mem
bers on the ground that the Government
measures were too friendly to the United
States. About that time a provision was
placed in the agricultural appropriation
bill passed in this country, giving the
Secretary of Agriculture authority to ex-
clude such imports as he considered in
furious to health. This provision was
directed against certain German products,
such as toys which, it was said, might
be injurious to health because of the
paint on them At all events this pro-
vision caused bad feeling in Germany
and made it more difficult for the Gov
eminent to secure the passage of the meat
inspection bill. 1t was referred by the
RechStag to a committee which had full
power to determine which course was TO
be adopted. The committee reported adj
versely and that was equivalent to re-
fusal by the Reichstag. to take any action.
1t may be brought forward again, as
there really ought to be some modification
of the present law. But 1t is too early
to say what the future plans will be as
the Reichstag is adjourned until Novem-
Der, and everything is at standstill
through the summer. 1t is probable, how
ever, that the Government will consult
with the leaders, and see If some under,
standing can be reached on the measure"
Concerning the Agrarian movement,
Baron Won Herman said ut is very
strong, and is turning it's attention to the
interests of the agricultural classes of
Germany. The sugar question is essen
TALLY an Agrarian one. Our sugar inter-
ests are seriously injured by the tax and
countervailing duties in the American
this not only prejudices their industry,
but that it is discrimination against
them. They feel II most because it
touches their point and as the results OF
their labor, but above this is the consid-
GRAFTON that the system is not right, being
a discrimination. They contend that the
question should be dealt with on broad
grounds. In the final analysis it comes
down TO this simple question:
Shall there be Development Of the
cane industry of unctvilized, semi-bar-
barous countries, or shall there be a con-
tinuation of sugar products of civilized
countries, which are able to buy things
in return? AS the United States does not
produce the sugar actually required by
consumers. supply must come from out
side sources. Now. it is to the. inter
est of this country to buy of the German
producers, rather than turn to the cane
Industry of Java, for example, when Java
can give little or no return for the pur-
chase made of her.
Moreover, it should be understood -
added Baron Won Herman, that the Ger
man Government derives $780, 00,0 900 out of
the taxes on the sugar industries of the
country, while 1t pays back as export
bounties only about 100000, so as mat
ter of fact the bounty comes out of the
pocket of the sugar producer, instead of
the treasury, as it Is part Of the tax
which the producer has paid on his in
dustry. 1t is somewhat in line with the
American revenue tax on mixed flour,
which is refunded to the producer in case
the flour is exported
On the whole Baron Won Herman seems
to think that these pending questions can
be solved to the, satisfaction of both sides,
and that a public understanding of the
legislation involved will solve half the
difficulty. Both nations, in his Judgment,
are too far advanced not to see that their
interests lie in the development of their
already existing trade, and not, as he
says, building up a Chinese wall against
the outside world"