The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-07-15
Privileges Accorded to Germans Give
Marked Reductions in Duties on
Several Articles of Trade.
THE MEAT INSPECTION BILL
POSSIBILITY THAT 1T Is AFFECTED
BY THE NEW AGREEMENT.
Official Organ of the German Govern
mcpt Is Pleased, but Other German
Papers Are Not So Satisfied.

WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE German
American reciprocity agreement, which
was proclaimed to-day, here and in Berlin,
appears to be the result of sharp diplo-
matte maneuvering over a period OF seyerai
years, on the meaning of the favored ma
ton clause. Germany formerly had only
one tariff schedule for all nations. But
in the years preceding 1892 seven reciproc-
ity treaties were made with Austria-Hun-
gary, Russia, Italy, Belgium, Roumania
and some other countries. These gave a
preferential tariff to the countries men
toned in return for concessions allowed
to Germany. Germany made no reciproc-
ity treaty with the United States, but un-
der the "most favored nation clause of
the general treaty between this country
and Germany it was held that the United
States was entitled to the same preferential
tariff rates allowed by Germany TO Russia,
Italy and the other countries mentioned
When, therefore the United States gave
reciprocity reductions to France. the Ger
man authorities asked for similar reduc-
tions under the favored nation" clause,
and as evidence of the justice of their
request they pointed to the fact that the
United States was getting the preferen-
tial duies from Germany. through the oper-
alton of the favored nation" clause.
Moreover, it is probable that if the
United States had not given Germany the
same reduction allowed to France the Ger
man preferential tariff, including the
United States with Russia, Italy, Austria,
etc, would have been withdrawn. 1t was
therefore settled that the German prefer
entail rates would be confirmed TO the
United States and that the United States
| would give Germany the same tariff reduc-
| tions already accorded France. Italy and
Portugal
The German tariff covers several hundred
items, and on considerable percentage
| of these the preferential rate is much lower
| than the regular rate. On wheat the reg
ular rate is 5 marks per 100 Kilograms
| the preferential rate $50 marks per one
| hundred Kilograms; on corn the regular
rate is marks, preferential LEO marks
| on meat, ham, bacon, etc. the regular rate
| is 20 marks, preferential rate Is marks;
on machinery the preferential rate is in
some cases only one-half of the regular
rate Red wine in casks used for mixing.
| is sent in considerable quantities from Cal
lar rate is "a marks per 100 Kilograms, while
| the preferential rate is 10 marks. There are
many other like reductions in the preferen-
| tial rate, all of which the United States
will now enjoy under the reciprocity agree
| ment, not by reason of any favored ma
| ton" clause, as heretofore, but by virtue
| of the agreement now proclaimed, giving
| the preferential rates as a distinct right
to which American exporters are entitled.
The text of the Presidents proclamation,
made to-day, follows:
| Whereas the German government has
| entered into commercial agreement with
| the United States, in conformity with the
provisions Of the the third section of the
tariff act Of the United States, approved
July "a. 1897, by which agreement in the
| judgment of the President reciprocal and
| equivalent concessions are secured in favor
of the products of the United States.
Therefore, be Ii known that /, William
| Mckinley, President of the United States
| Of America, acting under the authority
| conferred by said act of Congress, do here
| by suspend, during the continuance in
| force Of said agreement, the imposition and
/ collection of the duties imposed by the first
section of said act upon the articles here
| matter specified, being the products of the
| soil and industry of Germany and do de-
| clare in place thereof the rates of duty
provided in the third section OF said act,
| to be in force and effect from and after
date of this proclamation, as follows,
namely:
Upon argols, or crude tartar, or wine
lees. crude, per cent. ad valorem.
upon brandies, other spirits manu-
factured or distilled from grain or other
materials, A.75 for each proof gallon.
Upon still wines and vermuth. in casks.
s5 cents per gallon: in bottles or jugs. per
case of one dozen bottles of jugs. contain
| ing each not less than one quart and more
than one pint, or twenty-four bottles or
! jugs, containing each not more than one
| pint, s1.25 per case, and any excess beyond
| these quantities found in such bottles or
| jugs shall be subject to a duty of cents
per pint or fractional part thereof, but
no separate or additional duty shall be as
sessed upon the bottles or jugs.
Upon paintings In oil or water colors.
| pastels, pen and ink drawings and statu-
airy Is per cent. ad valoren
"Of which the officers and citizens of the
| United States will take due notice.
"In testimony whereof I have hereunto
| set my hand and caused the seal of the
United States 10 be affixed.
| Done at the City of Washington, this
| 18th day of July. A. D.. one thousand nine
hundred. and OF the Independence of Amer
! lea. the one hundred AMI twenty-ffth.
WILLIAM MKINLEY."
| The proclamation does not recite the
terms OF the arrangement II is expected
| that each government will proclaim only
such features Of the arrangement as are