The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-20
But Require Protection From lmitators
for Certain Period.

Berlin March l9.-The German CONNER
cial congress assembled here today. In
welcoming the delegates, Interior SecTe-
tary Won Pssadowsky- Wehner spoke Of
the more favorable Industrial outlook and
referring to the renewal of the CONNER
cial treaties declared that while each of
the conflicting interests must yield some
thing to the others, they could all depend
on the government defending the inter
ests OF home industries with the same
vigor which would doubtless mark the
attack of the foreign governments in be-
half of their respective countries. Sober,
technical appreciation of the actual
poltico-commercial conditions could alone
enable Germany TO successfully nominate
treaties without economical commissions.
DR.. Mueller, Radical pointed out that
great irritation prevailed in the German
art industry and book trade regarding
the copyright conditions in the United
States. He asserted that the protection
secured to the art industry and book trade
through the treaty of January Is. 1903,
was equivalent to zero" and asked Sec
rotary Won Posadowsky- Wehner VIII ,ther
a special treaty providing for the pro-
lection of exhibits like those sent to the
St Louis Finally. DR.. Mueller asked
if the government had taken steps with
the United States TO secure better pro-
lection for German literary and art pro-
ducts
Secretary Won Pasadowsy- Wehner re-
piled that it was doubtful in 1898 whether
a treaty could be negotiated upon the
basis of the copyright act OF 1891.
According TO our patent laws" the
secretary added, Americans enjoy the
same rights as German. but according to
the American copyright act special obH
cations must be undertaken TO secure pro-
lection. In spite of this veXatious pro-
vision, a declaration in favor Of the con-
vention was at that time made. No en-
barrassment grew out of the Chicago ex-
position for our art industry. If people
in America want to make limitations in
morally responsible manner they can do
so without the exposition. limitations can
occur in spite Of treaty prohibitions.
That must be taken into the bargain. I
am, however, willing TO make the matter
the subject of correspondence with
America. but ] cannot promise the latter
will change its legislation for the purpose
of the exposition"
DR. Mueller expressed satisfactory with
the secrdetart's promise. but added: 4
do not agree with him regarding Chicago.
Some Of the German exhibitors had hard
experiences in favor Of the entire German
book trade. ignoring the st. Louis exposi-
ton"
Count Won Waldrow. Conservative, said
part Of his political friends had given up
their objections TO exhibiting at ST. Louis
1t would make bad impression. ne said
If a country OF culture like Germany was
absent from ST. Louis. IL would be q
considerable success to display German
are before the eyes Of the Americans and
neutralize the long lead of French art.
Secretary Won Posadowsky-Weh
later. in answer 70 a question regarding
the steps the government intends to take
az Washington. said our Efforts wIiI be
exerted in two different directions. First
10 get exhibits excepted from the manu-
featuring clause Of the copyright act ard
70 secure their fun protection as patented
articles or otherwise; second. 70 obtain
protection against limitations for fixed
period after the exposition. I hope our
efforts viii receive q kindly hearing from
the American government.