The record-union., 1899-04-23
Opposition Press Harps on Beef lnvsstIga-
tion Now in Progress at Washington
In Order to Force the Government
to Introduce More Stringent
Measures Against the Importa-
ton of American Products-Lit-
tie Chance of the Bill Passing
the Reichstag in It's Present
Shape.

BEttLIN, -Aprll ZA.-IHe iltdl III
spection bill in the Reichstag and the
Midland Canal bill in the Diet have
engrossed attention this week through
out Germany. The AgrarianS and the
Reactionists oppose both measures, and
the ultimate fate of the bills will be
interpreted as evidence of the fighting
strength of the parties.
The canal bill occupied more time
in the Diet than did the meat inspec-
ton bill in the Reichstag, the. first read
ing of the latter requiring two days,
while the former took five days. Both
bills have gone to special committees,
where they will probably be much al
tered, possibly more than acceptable to
the Government, in which case they
may be withdrawn.
The ranks of the opponents of the ca
nal bill were strengthened this week. by
the accession of Baron Won Stumm, also
called the Goal King and former
bosom friend of Emperor William,
fact which is much commented upon,
in view of his majesty's prediction for
the project. The Government thus far
does not fear the entire failure of either
measure.
Regarding the meat inspection bill,
which more directly touches American
interests, there were many interesting
features in the Reichstag. The leading
Agrarians made point of aiming
their remarks and gestures at Professor
Stiles the scientific attache of the Unit
ed States Embassy, who was present at
the debate but who has now started
for home on account of family matters.
Trichinosis was hardly discussed by
any of the two score speakers, and the
charge that American pork is frequently
trichinosis, which until year ago was
constantly reiterated in the Reichstag,
was not once made on the floor of the
house. This shows that the irrefutable
scientific proof to the contrary ad-
vanced by Professor Stiles has been ac-
cepted as conclusive by even the widest
Agrarians.
1t was also notable that the debate
was practically repetition of the state
ments made to the army beef investiga-
ton, with the worst and bitterest con-
struction of all sorts of American press
comment. The reputation of leading
American packing houses was torn to
shreds by quotations from American
publications, which were read in ex-
tenso or summarized by Herren
KlinLowistrom. Wangenfeim, Well
haben, Sieg, or other Agrarians. 1t
may be assumed that this would be the
line of argument followed by the op-
ponents of the bill The comment of
the press this week, when in sympathy
with the Agrarians, almost entirely
consists of reiteration Of the charge,
which one paper puts tersely, that ''this
American meat" which Germans are
expected to eat, has been found by the
highest American Investigating Com
mittee unhealthy and even deadly to
Americas own army of strong, lusty
men"
1t is out of the question that the bill
can pass in it's present shape, and it is
merely q question as to how much 1t
can be altered without becoming unac-
ceptable to the Government. It's op-
ponents wish above all the following
changes: The abolishment of the pro-
vision making a. double inspection COM
pulsory. even on cattle slaughtered for
domestic use. To put foreign meat on
the same footing as domestic meat in
the matter of inspection; to take the
execution of the provisions of the bill
out of the hands Of the Bundesrath and
fix them in the bill, as one speaker said,
'to remove it from the diplomatic field
with foreign countries"
If the opponents accomplish this, as
seems to be likely, the bill will be
unacceptable to the Government, and
will undoubtedly lead to a tariff war
with the United States.
The excitement over the Samoan sit
uation has almost died out, and the
general expectation is that all the
points at variance will now be amicably
and fairly adjusted by the special COM
mission. Some of the leading papers, in
their desire for fairness, even print COM
munications from members of the British
mission at Samoa controverting some
of the. statements of DR.. Raffel, the
German President of the Municipal
Council at Apia, regarding the relations
of Tanu and Chief Justice Chambers
with the missionaries.
The press generally is friendly and
calm in it's comments in events in the
Philippines, several of the leading
papers expressing confidence that the
energy and pluck of the Americans will
soon restore complete order in the new
colonies.