The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-13
German Reichstag Passes by a
Big Majority
A Bill Providing for Tariff Re-
prisalS in Certain Cases.
AIMED AT UNCLE SAM.
1t Is Charged That the CLASH
fication Is Changed Over Here
By Customs Officials at the Be-
hest of the Trusts.

Berlin, Nov 13.-The reichstag today
adopted by 1872 to IL votes the para
graph of the new tariff bill authorizing
the government to retaliate. on any
country discriminating against German
goods. The agrarians openly affirm
that it was necessary to arm the gov
ernment with weapons for reprisal, espe-
cially against the United States GUS
toms practices. DR.. Brumer, national
liberal, cited an instance in which he
said 100000 worth of enameled goods
were ordered in Germany for New York.
but the speaker asserted the customs
officials changed the classification at the
instance of the American trust, where
upon the New York importer cancelled
the order. 1t was proved to the customs
officials, said DR.. Brumer, that the in
voice was in exact accord with tina Ger
man sellers books and that instead of
the goods being under valued. the books
showed that shipments had been made
to India at still lower prices.
DR.. Brumer further asserted that the
customs officials treatment .~ss dictated
by the interests Of the home nanufac-
turers and he continued:
Il IS said thai we nl1St not Offend the
United States, but they will respect US
more and we shall gain more by show
ing our teeth than by always giving
pleasant words"
Herr Gothein, radical-Eberal, replied
that such words were siD fitting epilogue
to the sentiments exprrssed by Count
Posadowski, the home secretary. in tic
presence of the foreign secretary, hal-un
Won Richthofen, at ambassador White )
farewell dinner.
They will make discord," he continued.
"amcng the wishes spoken there for
friendly relations with the United
States. Why empower the government
to 90 something Il Goes not want to dog
Although the present government would
not apply the paragraph, some succeed
ing government might commit such a
folly. Retaliatory Suties are the weapon
| of Chauvinisn, ana net OF patriotism.
Herr Fsschpack radical. said all the
chambers of commerce were opposed to
a tariff war with the United States.
Herr RrOenel, radical, remarked that
if Germany adopted retsliatory meas
ures against the United States because
of regulations which applied to the
goods of all countries. it would be a
serious breach of the existing treaties.
The Associated Press is authorized to
announce that the ministry has not de-
cided to drop the tariff bill as published
in London, but is determined to persist
until the dissolution of the reichstag
in June. The tariff debate will probably
be abruptly suspended by the presenta-
tion of the budget in a few days in
stead Of waiting for the first week in
December. as previously intended.
Chancellor Won Buelow finds that the
reichstag's time is being wasted and
wishes to employ the house on the f1n-
ance bill AS soon as the latter is read
/ the government will take up the tariff
bill. when the lapse of time will have
reduced the majority in the house to a
more yielding disposition.
| The ministry also has decided not to
agree with Russia or any other country
for a five years extension of existing
commercial treaties.