The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1899-09-01
AGRAR|AN|SN |NGERMANY
HOW THE PARTY VIEWS THE
UNITED STATES.
The German Beet Sugar Growers Prove
Influential in the Riechstag-The Cat
tie Bill Considered

WASHINGTON, August 2O.-BarOn
Won Herman, agricultural expert of the
Germany embassy, is back from a visit
to Germany, where he observed the pro-
gress of the meat inspection bill in the
Reichstag and noted the development
of the Agrarian movement which is
having such marked influence on Ger
man affairs, including the question of
exporting German beet sugar to the
United States. When asked as to the
status of the meat inspection bill he
said:
THE bill was brought before the
Reichstag last spring, but strong op-
position developed among Agrarian
members on the ground that the gov
eminent measures were too friendly to
the United States. About that time
provision was placed in the agricultur-
al appropriation bill passed in this coun-
try. giving the secretary of agriculture
authority to exclude such imports as
he considered injurious to health. This
| provision was directed against certain
| German products, such as toys which,
| is was said, might be injurious to health
| because of the paint on them. At all
| events this provision caused bad feel
| ing in Germany and made it more diff
cult for the government to secure the
| passage of the meat inspection bill. 1t
was referred by the Reichstag to a COM
mittee which had full power to deter
| mine which course was to be adopted.
| The committee reported adversely and
| that was equivalent 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
Reichstag is adjourned until November,
and everything is at a standstill
| through the summer. 1t is probable,
| hnWnVpr 10 will
suit with the leaders, and see If some
| understanding can be reached on the
measure"
Concerning the Agrarian movement,
| Baron Won Herman said: 1T is very
strong, and is turning its attention to
| the interests of the agricultural classes
of Germany. The sugar question is es-
sentially an Agrarian one. Our sugar
interests are seriously injured by the
tax and counterVailing duties in the
American tariff law and the Agrarians
hold that this not only prejudices their
industry, but that it is a discrimination
against them. They feel it most because
it touches their point and as the results
of their labor but above this is the
consideration that the system is not
right, being a discrimination. They con-
tend that the question should be dealt
with on broad grounds. In the final ana.
lysis it comes down to this simple ques.
ton:
shall there be a development of the
cane industry of unciViliZed, semi-bar.
barous countries, or shall there be 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, a supply must com,
from outside sources. Now, it is to tn,
interest of this country to buy of tn,
German producers. rather than turn t,
the cane industry of Java. for example
when Java can give little or no return
for the purchase made Of her.
Moreover it should be understood =
added Baron Won Herman. that tn,
German government derives $50 900, OOl
out of the taxes on the sugar industrie.
of the country, while it pays back a!
export bounties only about $4,000, OOO $,
as matter of fact the bounty come!
out of the pocket of the sugar produce
instead of the treasury, as il is
part of the tax which the producer ha
paid on his industry. 1t is somewhat II
line with the American revenue tax OF
mixed flour, which is refunded to tn,
producer in case the flour is exported.
On the whole Baron Won Herman
seems to think that these pending ques
tons can be solved to the satisfaction
of both sides, and that a public under
standing 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 tn,
development of their already eXstinl
| trade, and not as he says, building III
a Chinese wall against the outsid
world"