The record-union., 1899-08-21
He Watched Its Progress In the
Reichstag.
Developments of the Agrarian
Movement and the Reasons for
the Opposition the Bill Met
With-The Sugar Question Es-
sentiaIly an Agrarian One and
They Think Germany Is Dis
criminated Against.

WASH1NG1OTN, aug. ZO.-bdIOH FOu
Herman, agricultural expert of the
German Embassy, is just back from
tWo-monthS' visit to Germany, during
which period he had opportunity to OBJ
serve the progress of the meat inspect
ton bill in the Reichstag, and to note
the development of the agrarian move
ment which is having such a marked
influence on German affairs, including
the question of exporting German beet
sugar to the United States. Barn Won
Herman talked quite freely on these
non-political questions to a representa-
tive of the Associated Press. When
asked as to the status of the meat IN
spection bill, he said:
''The bill was brought before the
Reichstag last spring, but a strong op-
position developed among Agrar1an
members on the ground that the Gov
eminent measures were too friendly to
the United States, and you will remem-
ber that about that time a provision
was placed in the agricultural appro-
priation bill passed in this county Civ
ing the Secretary of Agriculture au-
thority to exclude such imports as he
considered injurious to health. This
German products, such as toys, which,
it was said, might be injurious to
health because of the paint on them.
At all events this provision caused a
bad feeling in Germany and made it
more difficult for the Government to
secure the passage of the meat in
spection bill. 1t was referred by the
Reichstag to committee which had
full power to determine which course
was to be adopted. The committee re-
ported adversely and that was equiva-
lent to a refusal 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 it is too early to say what
the future plans will be, as the Reich
stag S sssdjsurned-until November and
everything is at standstill through
the summer. 1t is probable, however,
that the Government will consult with
the leaders, and see if some under
standing can be reached on the mea-
sure
Concerning the Agrarian movement,
Baron Won Herman said:
1T is very strong and is turning it
self to the interests of the agricult-
ural class of Germany. The sugar ques-
tion is essentially an agrarian one. Our
sugar interests are seriously injured by
the taxes countervailing duties in the
American tariff law, and the Agrarians
hold that this not only prejudices their
industry, but that it is discrimination
against them. They feel it most be-
cause it touches their point and the
is the consideration 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 a development of the
cane industry of uncivilized, semi-bar-
barous countries, or shall there be a
continuation of sugar products of civil
lied countries, which are able to buy
things in return. AS the United States
does not produce the sugar actually
required by consumers, a supply must
come from outside sources. Now is it
not to the interest 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 purchase made of
her own?
Moreover, it should be understood :"
added Baron Won Herman, that the
German Government derives S30000,- :
| 600 out of the taxes on the sugar in
dustries of the country, while it pays
back as export bounties only about
$4,000, 600, so as a matter of fact the
bounty comes out of the pocket of the
sugar producer instead of the treasury,
as it is a part of the tax which the
producer has paid on his industry. It
| is somewhat in line with the American
revenue tax on mixed flour, which is re-
funded 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 satisfac-
| tion of both sides, and that public
understanding of the legislation in
| volved will solve the difficulty. Both
| nations, in his judgment, are too far
| advanced not to see that their inter-
| ests lie in the development of their al
| ready existing trade, and not, as he
says, building up Chinese wall
! against the outside world"