The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-12-23
NO DANGER OF
A TARIFF WAR.
GERMANY MUST BUY IN AMERICA.
Products Bought in This Country
Cannot BE Secured Else
where in Case of an
Embargo.

The German Tariff vs. Commercial
Treaties. is The caption used by the State
Department over a recent report from
Ernest L. Harris, United States Consular
Agent at Eibenstock- Nj Harris says:
New German Tariff Passed.
The new German tariff has been passed
by the Bundesrath without any material
change. and it viii be laid before the
Reichstag Immediately on the converting
of that body in December. It would seem,
therefore, that the bill as outlined stands
a very good chance Of becoming law with
out much alteration.
The subject which interests the Ger
man press most, in commenting on the
new tariff is the probable effect it viii
have on the renewal of commercial
treaties in 1903. The sentiment is almost
unanimously in favor of first reaching an
agreement with the United States, and
using this as a basis for concluding
treaties with ether nations.
Difficult to DisIOdge.sa
-Our food stufs and manufactured
goods have gained such a foothoid in
Germany that it viii be difficult matter
to dislodge them. It is not probable that
Germany viii ever begin tariff war
with the United States
''Georg Gothein. member Of the Reich
stag and Prussian Diet, in an essay re
Gently published, says:
Many merchants and manufacturers
finding the American markets blocked by
prohibitive duties. advocate a tariff war
with the United States. They reason
that inasmuch as Germany buys twice as
much OF the United States as we export
10 that country. we could force the United
States into making US concessions.
other Markets Unavailable.
. In 1890 we imported almost $685.
o0e.000 worth of products from the United
States In case OF a tariff war, 81 per
cent Of all these products would still have
TO be imported from that country No
other nation IN the world can offer US a
substitute fer them. The cotton Of India
cannot take the place of that of Georgia,
nor Russian petroleum that OF PennsyI-
vania or Ohio America is the only coun-
try which can supply Us with anything
like the necessary quantities OF indian
corn copper, phosphate, etc. and while
Kentucky and Virginia tobacco is not Of
the best quality still as smoking to
bacco IL has come very much into favor.
Even if We succeeded IN importing all 9uz-
wheat, barley. cats. aid lumber from
Russia or Argentina. they are such mar
ketable products IN themselves That
America would have no difficulty in sell
ing them TO other countries
The simple figures OF tne exports and
Imports Of Germany with the United
States DO ret s!se q true picture Of the
actual balance Of trade. Il would Ger
tainly be very gratifying If America could
be Induced 10 lower her tariff; bat IL Is
very doubtful Il a tariff war is the best
means of achieving this end AS long as
a mCdus viveDdi nay be reached i is
always better not to 20 % extremes.
Cause for Mutual Dissatisfaction.
IN spite Of The feet that the great
majority OF our Complaints against the
American tariff are justified, il must be
beTne IN mind that the Americans have
Nc reason TO be satisfied with the treat
ment which they have received ut our
hands In every tarin war which lasts
for any length OF time the beHsEts. if
there are any. fan into the hanes of 2
third party IN this case. nothing could
be more advantageous 10 the commerce
Of Great Britain am entirely 1t the ex-
pense Of the FatherIand
Many ardent advocates Of the proposed
tariff point 10 the success of the United
States tariff as the hest argument in their
favor 1t must be remembered. however.
that there may u. q great difference he
tween the workings Of such a tariff in
various countries There is 10 law of
economies which viii justify a tariff on
focd stUfts. Duties levied on products
necessary Tor human nourishment-Lhe
very fuel which supports the engines OF
ljle-meal increase n the cost Of pro
ductioI ard restriction in the power CT
consumption.
Influences Of the New Tariff.
IN regard 70 the influence which the
new taTIn VIII exert upon the preparation
Of commercial treaties with other nations.
GUthein says further:
For country which in the highest
degree is dependent upon the export OF
industrial products. and is in need of ia
vorabIe commercial treaties. it is dan
gercUs principle to ASSUME the aggressive
with high protective tariff. The doe
trine that We may reduce these duties
as negotiations proceed becomes a faIIacy
when we consider that other nations but
little developed iRGustriaIly. may follow
/ our example and also begin prelfIn; naries
I with q high tariff The new tariff. even II
! il should not become law as outlined.
I must be looked upon as a failure for the
/ reason that other countries will increase
4 their tariffs accordingly, thus rendering
more than doubtful the probability of con-
/ Guiding commercial treaties. Above all, il
/ Is in the increased duties On grain that
the greatest danger to the conclusion of
! these treaties lies -