Omaha daily bee., 1902-10-17
GERMANY ASKS RECIPROCITY
Favsu New Tariff Designed to Make Treaty
Nergering Easier,
OPPONENTS FEAR HIGH COST or LIVING
Say workiREmen viii n iT MI
Passes, hut Government Refuses
to LeeisIate for one class
Alone.

BERLIN, Oct. 1.-THE Reichstag, at its
session today entered on the discussion Of
the tariff bill, commencing with the
schedules relating to wheat and rye.
Chancellor Won Buelow recommended that
the bill be passed. as drawn up. saying
that the house committee proposals in
creasing the minimum tariff would render
the conclusion of new treaties impossible.
The tariff proposed by the government, he
added, was the extreme limit II Germany
wished to obtain from other countries
greater concession than 1t now enjoyed.
The chancellor enumerated the consid-
erations which. guided them in framing
the. bill.
The object In view was to AFFORD agri-
culture Increased protection. and at the
same time not only to retain the homs
market for Germsny's Industries, but also
TO develop as much as possible the sale
Of German products abroad.
1t was desirable for trade, agriculture
and industry that commercial treaties ex-
tending over long periods should be con-
cluded, but they should be based on full
reciprocity while safeguarding Germany's
legitimate Interests.
The chancellor pointed out that the new
tariff specialized to a greater extent than
AOImSI AhTllhs anu Sdlu tnlS was lQLenueu
to AFFORD an effective weapon in the nego-
tiatious for treaties. 1t also provided In
creased duties on articles considered inn
portant from 4 politico-commercial view
point. These increases offered sufficient
scope for negotiations. The federal gov
eminent regarded most Of the apprehen-
sion regarding the minimum rates pro-
vided by the bill as unfounded. No lack
of so%licitude for agriculture was shown in
the bill, and the fear that the passage of
the measure would lead to increased cost
OF living for the working people he con-
sidered baseless.
VIII Never Discriminate.
The government, the chancellor declared,
would never consent to discriminate against
others in favor Of working people. They
must steer a middle course. between the
interests of all, between the interests Of
the .agriculturslists, and ndustrialists,
whose respective success was necessary to
the welfare OF. each other. The proposed
agrarian duties would not harm the indus
trialists, but the Increase in the minimum
rates would make it impossible to con-
clude the treaties, .. .t...-.
If the, bill was rejected the government
would be obliged TO continue the existing
- ~ ~ 49, 49, SS
of the, Did tariffs, in which case 1t was
doubtful il German trade, especially agri-
culture, would benefit.
The ,chaDnellor's remarks caused violent
protests and made. him appeal to the house
not to disturb the course of the proceed
ings or bring about their suspension by
artificial means. 1T would be laying an
ak to. the roots of the parliamentary sys-
tenn IL the matter was not discussed in
proper seriousness and in a practical
manner 49,. ..--s".sg- SO
Herr Gothein -(rsdica) said the bill pro-
vided a defensive armor so heavy that 1t
would only, make the, fight harder; other
states would increase their duties and this
process would be without end. In the in
terests OF Industry, he said, 1t would be
wiser to extend the existing treaties. The
wretched condition of agriculture was due,
mainly, to mismanagennent.
Herr Won Kardorff 'dmperialist) declared
ON behalf Of his party hat 1t would insist
upon the proposals of the tariff committee.