The times., 1899-07-19
Reciprocity nnd Recf.

The fact that the German Government
has selected Herr Mumm Won Swartzen-
stein as Charge d'Afaires in Washington
during the absence of DR.. Won Holleben,
Imperial Ambassador. on leave has given
rise to an idea that some serious work in
the line of reciprocity between the United
States and Germany is to be attempted
this summer. Herr Mumm Won Schwartz
enstein, who is an under secretary in the
German Foreign Office, was at one time
engaged in negotiating a reciprocity
treaty with this country. This accounts
for the impression that he may now be
entrusted with a special mission OF the
same character.
A liberal and sensible commercial ar
rangement in the direction named is much
to be desired, but We are fearful that nego-
tiations would be hindered by the determi-
nation of powerful American influence
not to allow this Government to make con-
cessioas to Germany unless the latter
shall consent to treat our packing and
canning interest in a less critical manner
than has been its rule for some time. Tie
disclosures made in the press and before
the Alger Relief Commission and Army
Beef Board, supplemented as they are by
cumulative outside evidence, have nctori-
ously satisfied the powers of Europe that
there is no adequate or honest system of
inspection in the United States upon
which they could rely for the wholesome
ness Of our meat products.
1t must be confessed that this opinion
is generally shared by the American people.
Continental Europe strenuously objects TO
chemically prepared CT "embalmed" fresh
meat, so called. The Agricultural Depart
ment has been at pains to remove the
trans Atlantic conviction that such an arti-
Gle is prepared here or shipped from any
of our ports. Yet it is a matter of COM
mon knowledge in every city of the Union
that "embalmed" beef is the standard In
three-fourths of our butcher shops, and
strictly fresh beef the exception. 1t is
exeusable in foreigners to argue that if
the American authorities allow the stom-
achs of their own citizens to be destroyed
by boric and salycilic acids, preservatine,
and other fluids identified with the under
takers art, they cannot be trusted to pro-
tect the digestive apparatus of outlanders
from like treatment.
Revelations published in The Times Of
Sunday last show that canned roast beef
and beef extract are, or have been, pro-
duced in at least one of our plants under
conditions of filth and horror nearly in
describable deeently in print. Independent
investigations by thoroughly trained and
impartial experts. undertaken and conduct
ed on account of European health and
commercial governmental agencies. will be
found to fully corroborate the siekening
details of the Dolan and other revelations
lodged by the Alger Relief Commission.
but nevertheless accepted as true by the
press and public of America.
Heretofore ii has been the policy of the
Administration to take the part of the
packers, extractors. and Gamers, and TO
dispose of the charges concerning their
methods and their wares by whitewash-
ing inquests and straightout denials. That
line of defence will no longer serve either
the Administration or the liberal political
contributors it desires to benefit. The
truth is cut and is notorious and in
controvertible. The one thing possible for
the Government TO do in order to begin
the redemption OF our meat export trade,
wrecked by the crimes of the past, is to
satisfy the authorities of consuming coun-
tries that for the first time in history a
rigorous, non-political. and scientific in
spection system is in force and is enforced
in the United States. When Germany and
other countries can be made to believe that
the refrigerated and canned beef sent to
| them are produced and exported under safe
and proper conditions. that much of the
handicap on reciprocity viii be removed.