The record-union., 1899-02-12
On Question Of Commercial Relations Be-
tween United States and Germany.
Minister Of Foreign Affairs Won
Bue1ow Replies, Stating His Be-
lief That at No Distant Date a
Solution Of Existing Diff culties
Would be Attained Acceptable
and Satisfactory to Both Par
ties.

leader, at the instance of the German
Government, interpellated the Govern
ment on the question of the commercial
relations between the United States and
Germany. The Minister of Foreign At
fairs, Baron Won Buelow, intimated his
readiness to reply forthwith.
In introducing the Interpolation
Count Won Kanitz referred to the pro-
hibitive effects of the Dingley bill, and
oontrasted the decrease of German ex-
ports with the increase in American
exports. He said that to denounce the
treaties containing the favored nation
clause was not 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 frcm
them alone. If one country closed it's
markets to another, good commercial
relations could not permanently con-
tinue. In this connection it was in the
interest of German agriculture to up
hold the purchasing power.
The Count concluded with expressing
the hope that the Federal Government
would act both cautiously and energet-
1cally. His remarks were applauded by
the Rightists.
Baron Won Buelow replied that it was
impossible, in view of the pending ne
gotiations, to make an exhaustive de-
claration of the position taken by the
German and American Governments In
the specific question Germany's diffa--
ences with America were mainly at
fr1butable to conflicting interpretations
of the favored-nation treatment assured
by the treaty of 1895. cloud Conserva-
tive interruption)
The Baron then read part OF the
treaty and continued
The German Government has always
considered these clauses of the treaty
as implying unlimited t-favored-
nation treatment for Germany in ali
tariff questions Concessions of any
other kind which the United States
might grant to third State in return
for some special compensation, Ger
many would only claim if she made a
corresponding return to the United
States. From this view is based the
well-weighed meaning and text of the
treaties Germany cannot recede frcm
this position.
AS regards the differential treatment
of German sugar apart from the Ding
ley tariff, the German Government. OBJ
Jected that this treatment was opposed
to the most-favored-n treatment,
and that it was customs surtax iI,cor-
rectly calculated. We have secured the
removed of the different charges arising
from unfair reckoning of the surtax
but Germany has a further demand re-
specting the deduction of additional ex-
else from the so-called over-contingenr
Which has been persistently rejected
On the other hand, the American Gov
ernment has promised to consider Ger
many's proposal for the deduction of
the general industrial tax to which
German sugar is subjected.
The question of tonnage in the
United States arising from the fact that
in view Of our declaration of 1883, ac-
ccrcing to which no tonnage or light
house dues corresponding to the Amer
lean tonnage and lighthouse duties are
collected at German harbors, America
granted vessels from Germany exemp-
ton from these duties, and afterward
Withdrew the exemption, although in
the meantime no change whatever was
made IN the German shipping circles,
ana the situation has in every respect
remained as it was There are. how
ever, indications of an inclination on
the part of the United States. by
amending 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 from various goods
Under the reciprocity convention of
1898 and which was recently extended
tc the same products from Switzerland.
Regarding the complaints of our ex-
porters at the high rates of the Dingley
tariff, and the manner in which the
American tariff regulations were en-
forced. and the unsuitableness of the in
terchangeable duties and the burden
some regulations of the Americana Gus
tom procedure they have been the SUBJ
1ect of repeated and urgent representa-
tons to the American Government for
a conciliation of the conflicting views
of our rights, and a satisfactory under
standing is pending.
There must be for both sides an ap-
probation of how far reaching for each
of the two countries are the national
interests involved, and in view of the
increasing developments of American
exports to Germany we must assume
ed States. 1 hope that at no distant
date a solution of the existing diff
culties will be attained, acceptable and
satisfactory to both parties.
''rhe Federal Government claims the
confidence of the Reichstag that it
win know how to follow such course
as will lead to the interests of the
fatherland intrusted to the Ministers
being permanently safeguarded in the
best and safest way"
In the course of his speech Baron ven
bueiow emphatically declared that
Germany only intended to protect the
lIe and property of the Germans in
the Philippine Islands, and added:
NOW We have no fears. We are con-
vlnced that our countrymen in the
Philippines are safe under American
protection. If part of the foreign press
falsely imputes to US other motives
than the above, it does not alter the
facts" (Cheers.)
In denying the statements made re-
garding German intrigues with Aguin-
aldo and the Philippines. and the story
about the German Consul at Hongkong
supplying arms and ammunition to the
Filipinos, Baron Won Buelow said:
Those are among the latest canards