The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-10
COMMERCE OF GERMANY
INTERESTING REPORT FROM consul
GENERAL MASON AT BERLIN.
Effect of the Overwhelming Compete
ton of n United States-The
"Americna

WASHINGTON, Nov. 9.-The State De-
parement has received from Consul General
Frank Mason, at Berlin, a long report up
on the and industries of Ger
many. Mr.. Mason handles his subject, as
usual, in a most thorough and compre-
hensive way. Notwithstanding the fact
that, in 1900, Germany passed the culminat-
ing point of a period of phenomenal de-
veIopment and entered upon d period of
reaction and depression, he says, a glance
at the statistics of her foreign commerce
shows that in respect to bulk and value Of
exports and imports her foreign trade that
year was the largest in the history of the
empire.
Mr.. Mason notes the surprising fact that
in spite of the fuel famine of 1900 German
exports of mineral coal exceeded the i'm
ports of this commodity in value by 3d.
100000 marks. and were almost exactly
equal in market value to the exports of
sugar.
Referring TO the commanding position Of
the United States III Germany's foreign
trade, Mr.. Mason points out that this coun-
try. besides having the largest and most
valuable direct export trade to Germany,
has passed Russia and risen from fourth
10 lHiIu place diiiOIS tllt ndllOiS lilDOI llllS
from Germany.
The two outside influences of momentous
Importance TO the present situation in Ger
many. he says, are the overwhelming COM
petition of the United States and the tariff
legislation now pending in the Reichstag.
The experiment of recent years, he states,
has shown beyond all question that in iron
and steel and a number of other leading
Industries Germany, even with her cheaper
labor, cannot compete with the United
States. Intelligent Germans fully recognize,
he says, that fine composite product of
American racial qualities, institutions and
methods-the w-Orkingman who thinks, will.
in combination with our unequaled re-
sources. turn the scale in favor Of the
United States"
Mr.. Mason says that every step in Ameri-
can progress and development is watched
with the keenest eyes i'm Germany and that
the report of the completion of the steel
makers syndicate fell like a pail on Euro
pean industrials and gave the Berlin bourse
one of its blacklist days in a gloomy year"
The trade balance Of the United States at
the close of the last fiscal year. continues
Mr.. Mason, created a profound impression
in Germany. The financial and daily press
filled its columns with dissertations on "the
American danger and European nations
were urged to combine for mutual protec-
ton against this too powerful rival.
Rarely saws the consul general, has
the new position OF the United States
among nations been more powerfully and
wildly pictured than in a memorable es-
say by Baron Won Waltershausen, pub
lished by the Central Bureau for the prep
aration of commercial treaties, in which it
was shown that, whereas hardly six years
ago the Deutscher Bank took about one
fourth of a $10o,0o0 900 loan issued by the
United States government. the American
trade balances of the last three fiscal years
had reached the amazing total of 81, 622.0 &c.,
600, almost double the war indemnity paid
by France to and had reversed
the position of the United States and made
IL the creditor instead of the debtor to Eu-
rope" The memorial stated: The United
States will, with increased growth of their
/ economic power, gain in political might.
Already they enlarge their army and navy.
They will in the future acquire colonies,
call the Pacific their own and realize their
ideal Of international arbitration by be-
coming themselves the arbitrators."
The new German tariff, if enacted, he
says, would not go into general effect until
the commercial treaties between Germany
and other nations will not expire until then.
There is thus a period of over two years i'm
which the new tariff can be discussed and
dustrial nations. Mr.. Mason goes into the
subject of the new tariff at length. and
I touches on il in all of its phases, effects
and counter effects. He says il would seem
SO many powerful influences are leagued
can ever become a law in its present form.
The publication OF the proposed tariff, he
says. stirred up a perfect storm of protest
GIUm an quarters. For the first time women
are taking part in a German political cam
! paign. and have studied out deliberately the
influences which the new import duties
would have on the economy or family life.