New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-11
GERMANY'S SUGAR INDUSTRY.
NOT MUCH PROSPECT OF RELIEF FROM
THE PRESENT EMBARRASSMENT


Washington, Jan. 10 (SpeciaD-The embarrass-
ments Of the beet sugar industry in Germany con-
tinue without much prospect Of relief according
to recent report from Commercial Agent Stein
OF Bamberg. Since the failure of the last sugar
conference at Brussels proposition has been made
in Germany from private quarter to effect the
abolition Of the sugar bounty by the division In
fixed proportion of the various sugar consuming
countries among the sugar producing countries.
This proposition, which is not regarded seriously
is based on the consideration that the bounty
IS consequence of international competition, the
only means to do away entirely with the bounty is
to do away with the competition. Mr. Stein points
out that even II the competition between the beet
sugar countries of Europe could be thus abolished
there would still remain the great struggle be-
tween beet sugar and cane sugar, and that the
losses sustained by the German sugar industry in
the last fifteen years must be attributed in part,
least, to the competition OF the latter.
Germany exported about 100000 tons-neary 60
per cent of her output-in the last decade This was
made possible by the opening of the English mar
ket and, under the Wilson German tariff of that
Of the United States. In 1896 and 1897 the German
exports to the United States reached 326 900 and
$4,000 tons respectively; in 1898 they fell to 2l9OOO
tons, which a much larger total than would
have been shown had it not been for the Spanish
American War and the disturbances in Cuba which
preceded It. 1t is noteworthy that in 1896 the beet
sugar exported from Germany to this country was
valued at fraction over $50 ton. while in 1885,
under the existing tariff il valued at a fraction
ton 1t is asserted pretty good authority in
Washington that leading English statesmen are
in favor Of adopting the American policy in regard
European countries, England is now paving not
only the foreign bounties such sugars but also
a higher price than the United States pays
Mr.. Stein reports that the exports of German
sugars TO a number of other countries have been
falling off in recent years. The Netherlands which
took T. S tons in 1884 received only 76S in 1898
Belgium received 1880 tons of German sugars in
1884 and only sos tons in 1898; Sweden received 20 2
in 1892 and only $50 tons in 1885, the exports
10 Russia have fallen off more than 80 per cent
in the last five years The British East Indies
took only S,087 tons Of German sugars in 1898
against 1881 in 1897, India having adopted
the American policy of imposing countervailing
duties on bounty paid sugars. On the other hand
German sugar exports TO some other countries be-
sides England have INCREASED Denmark took 6163
tons in 1891 and 1854 in 1898; the exports to
Norway, which amounted to 6,42 tons in 1881 have
steadily increased, and made a total Of 1Bl72 tons
In 1885, Switzerland took 14737 tons 1895 against
1851 tons in 1893. There has been a noteworthy
increase OF German sugar exports TO Canada and
Japan. The former received 1890 tons In 1891 and
45 81 tons in 1898 and the latter took 9O95 tons In
1885, and 3d. tons in 1898. The exports to South
and Central America and Australia however, have
fallen off since 1891.
Mr. Stein adds that important German news
papers like the Munich "Algemeine Zeitung"
Cologne Gazette" "Frankfurter Zeitung,' etc,
Of the opinion that in order TO find sale for
her sugar Germany will have TO turn her atten-
ton more and more TO the home market which
has hitherto been too much neglected.