New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-10-31
GERMAN PROGRESS.
COMMERCIAL RECIPROCITY NOT TO RE
SACRIFICED To AGRAIIANISM- Dor
ROWING on SOUND PRINCIPLES
THE DUSSELDORF EXHIBITION

ROWING on SOUND PRINCIPLES
THE DUSSELDORF EXHIBITION
London, October Is
Count Won BuloW's speech this week IN the
German Reichstag offers decisive indications ~
! the unVillingness Of the government To reverse
/ national policies. The recent Industrial progress
! Of the Falhersnd has been due in large meas
ure to the continuous operation Of three policies
The currency reformed and placed on a gold
basis soon after the establishment Of the empire
under Prussian leadership; protection vas IN
PRODUCED after an unsatisfactory experiment
with free trade. and commercial reciprocity was
adopted as the best possible eXpedent for pro-
! noting the enlargement Of foreign trade and
ministering 10 the Improvement Of relations with
neighboring countries These three policies have
not been disturbed ny political agitations and
general elections The engines have not been
| suddenly reversed was done in the United
States during President CIeveland's second term.
There has been commercial depression during
the last two years, and it may be prolonged for
I eighteen months; but # has not been attrbut-
able to the three policies which have been the
I foundations OF German industrial progress The
evils OF speculative finance have been mitigated
by the stability OF The currency. systematic pro-
lection Of the hume market and development
of foreign trade through reciprocity conventions.
The German Chancellor has made 1T clear that
The imperial government does not intend TO sac
rifce any Of these principles by consenting TO
! tariff legislation by which the industrial and
commercial systems will be thrown out OF bal
ance and upset
The tariff agitation which the Agrarisns have
been conducting for q long period in Germany
has reached a stage where one OF these policies
reciprocity, r. imperilled by the undue develop
ment OF protection. The Agrarlsns. who have
] controlled the committee employed in revising
! the tariff bill. have increased tine duties on
! agricultural produce until the negotiation Of
! commercial treaties is rendered impraCticabls-
The Chancellor has sounded warning that the
! imperial government viii not be responsible for
tariff legislation which is inconsistent with the
expansion OF trade by new treaties negotiated
for long periods He explains what done in
The original draft Of the tarn bin for increasing
! the leverage for securing larger concessions from
foreign countries in reciprocity conventions. Not
! only agriculture allowed larger degree Of
| protection but other increases in duties were
devised for the purpose % srming the govern
m+nt with a surer and more trustworthy weapon
! for forcing German products and manufactures
| into foreign countries by the adjustments Of
commercial reciprocity. The Agraians. not sat
| ished with moderate concessions to agricultural
! interests. have clamored for still higher duties
| on foreign cattle and breadstuffs and have re-
constructed the tarin until the commercial and
manufacturing classes are ia revolt against H.
| The government has now called n halt. II ASKS
! the Relchstag TO decide between the proposed
tariff In substantially the original form aud the
/ tariff which is In operation II appeals 10
| Aerarians and Centralists not to sacrifice the
moderate advantages gained FOR agriculture in
me proposed tariff scheme. and Il warns oppO-
nents the opposite side Of the Reichstas that
g
widening Of the general basis for reciprocity
I negotiations.
The German Chancellor did not refer 10 Amer
! ican experience. but he might easily have found
| a direct parallel in the enactment of the Wilson
| tariff during the Second Cleveland administra-
| ton That tariff restored the duties on sugar
| and rendered imperative the entire series Of
| reciprocity conventions negotiated under the
/ Aldrich amendment. The balance between tariff
and reciprocity policies disturbed by reck-
less methods OF reconstruction and the results
| OF useful and benehcent diplomacy for enlarg-
| ing foreign trade were undermined In like man
| nar the conditions OF commercial reciprocity will
| be transformed in Germany. if the Agraran
| amendments are carried and minimum duties
| are extended from foodstuns 10 cattle and other
| tmpo-ts The foundation for reciprocity nego-
J tistions With foreign countries instead of being
/ Mridened will be narrowed. and great disturb
| ance viii be caused in external trade The gov
eminent prefers TO iet Well enough alone and 10
nesotiate a series Of treaties on the basis OF the
! existing tariff rather than 10 attempt 10 do any
| thing by diplomatic means with the Agrarian
! tariff This view is also entertained by the mer-
! camille and manufa curing interests In Ger
| many The supreme value OF foreign trade has
| been demonstrated during two years OF com
| merciaI depression when the domestic nna, kets
! we're disordered. Foreign commerce has been the
I anchor 10 windWArd during this rrolcnged
| period Of storm and stress. and ii has kent the
| ship ahoat. II anything be- clearly provsd by
recent economic experience in Germany II is The
necessity for allowing national policies "a re-
( main operative with the least possible disturb
| snce-
The revival OF business both in Wss,rl,s, liz
| and Saxony caused by the marked irorro,-s-
| Ynent OF the export trade with the United states
| has created a demand for money. Their. vas no
| lack OF either capital or credit two wears 900
| when the banks ready TO finance o,.or,-
new project and to multiply the resources ~
! competitive industries. There il no r,oDa N
| he lent questionable securities IN Co.., n
| companies. which taking contract. At
] improbable prices and striving to demo,s,rsts
their soysncy. Not even the rromi.. ., I'm.