New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-21
RELATIONS WITH GERMANY
ruE NEAT AND SUGAR QUESTIONS
DISCUSSED BY BARON Won HERMAN.
r,,rURE ACTION ON FORMER SUBJECT NOT
YET OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES MOVE
MENT A STRONG ONE

MENT STRONG ONE
washington Aug. 20.-Baron Won Herman.
r,cuItural expert OF the German Embassy, is
Due, hack from a two months visit to Germany,
,r which period he had opportunity TO observe
The nrocress Of the Meat Inspection bill In the
peichstag and TO note the development Of the
Asrarian movement which is having such
marked influence on German affairs including
he question of exporting German beet sugar
. the United States. Baron Won Herman talked
unite freely on these non-political questions.
when asked as TO the status of the Meat In
spection BILL he said:
"The bill was brought before the Reichstag
last spring but strong opposition developed
among Agrarian members. on the ground that
the Government measures were too friendly to
the United States. You will remember that
about that time provision was placed in the
Agricultural Appropriation bill passed IN this
country giving the Secretary of Agriculture au-
,bority 10 exclude such imports as he considered
INJURIOUS to health This provision was directed
against certain 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 bad feeling in Germany. and
made II more difficult for the Government to Sc
cure the passage Of the Meat Inspection bill. 1t
was referred by the Reichstag TO committee,
which had full power to determine what course
was to be adopted. The committee reported ad-
versely. and that was equivalent 10 refusal py
the Reichstag TO take any action, II may De
brought forward again. as there really ought 10
be some modification Of the present law 1t Is
too early TO say what the future plans Will De-
as the Reichstag is adjourned until November
and everything is at a standst through the
summer 1t is probable. however. that the Gov
eminent will consult with the leaders and see II
some understanding can be reached on the
measure
QUESTION OF PRINCIPLE
Concerning the Agrarian movement. Baron
Won Herman said:
1T is very strong. and Is turning It's atten-
ton TO the interests of the agricultural Glasses
Of Germany. The sugar question is essentially
an Agrarian one. Our sugar interests are seri-
ousy injured by the tax and counter'aiiihs
duties in the American tariff law. and the Agra
rians hold that this not only pre)uolces theii
industry but that it is a discrimination against
them They feel II most because 1t touches thelr
pockets and the results of their labor, but above
this 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 IL comes down
70 this simple question: Shall there be de-
yelopment Of the cane industry Of uncivilized.
semi-barb arous countries shall there be
continued use of the sugar products of civilized
countries, which able to buy something In
return? AS the United States does not produce
the sugar actually required by consumers a
supply must come from some outside source.
Now is it not to the interest Of this country
10 buy from the German producers, rather than
turn TO the industries of Java, for ex-
ample. when Java can give little or no return
for the purchases made?
A GAIN TO THE GOVERNMENT
Moreover, IL should be understood added
Baron Won Herman, that the German Govern
ment derives S3OOO0OO0 out of the taxes on the
sugar Industries of the country. while 1t pays
back as export bouuties only about S6OOOO0O
So es a matter Of fact. the bounty comes out OF
the pocket of the sugar producer, instead Of the
Treasury as IL is a part of the tax which the
producer has paid on his industry. 1t is some
what in line with the American revenue tax on
mixed -four which is refunded to the producer
in case the -four is exported"
on the whole Baron Herman seems to
think that these pending questions can be solved
10 the satisfaction of both sides. and that pub
lie understanding 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 the development or
their already existing trade, and not. as he
says lin building up Chinese wall against the
i5a