New-York tribune., 1903-01-16
INVITING n TARIFF W1R.
Reschstag Discusses Trade Relations
7Citk 4meyica.

Berlin. Jan. 15.-In the Reichstag to-day.
during the debate Baron Hey! zu Herrns-
helms resolution asking the government 10 de-
nounce the most favored nation treaties direct
ed against the United States and Argentina
and a substitute requesting the government to
denounce treaties with countries where expert
ence had shown that the most favored nation
clause injurious to Germany's interests.
Herr Bernstein, Socialist, said the resolutions
meant tariff war. and that tariff wars should
not be entered upon lightly with country like
the United States. nor with Argentina whence
Germany drew large supply OF wool The sus-
pension of this most favored treatment in the
case of Chill had resulted in decreasing Ger
many's relative exports thither, and Germany
had 10 continue buying nitrate OF soda there be-
cause 1T was essential to German agriculture.
The burden Of a tariff war with the United
States would rest chiefly on the German work
ingmen. They would have to pay the costs.
Germany must have American wheat. Neither
Russia nor Austria able to supply enough.
Therefore trade war would mean dearer bread.
Count Won Kanitz. the Agrarian leader
pressed astonshment at the fact that the gov
ernment had not denounced the commercial
treaties before December /. considering that
agricultural produce In Germany does not pay
for the cost of production. The note running
through Herr Bernstein's speech fear of the
United States. Count Won Kanitz. continuing.
said
This fear is wholly unjustifed for the United
States has much greater interest in trading with
Germany than vice versa.
Further referring to Secretary Posadows sky
Wehner's declaration yesterday that the United
States was no longer entitled to the most IA
vored nation treatment. Count Won Kanitz criti-
cised the government for ornitting to inform the
Reichstag in due time Of it's suspension
Secretary Posadowsky-wehner again dis
cussed the treaty relations with the United
States reviewing at length the negotiations
upon the subject Of the treaty OF 1923 with
Prussia, and said:
When the preceding speaker asserts that the
best basis for trade relations with the United
states Is a tariff treaty. the allied govern
mentS agree with him fully. We should be glad
to conclude such a treaty with that great cOun-
try at early day. Supplementing my remarks
of yesterday let me add that the existing COM
mercial relations with the United States rest
uron the treaty made in 1928 between the
ULited States and Prussia, the validity of which
upheld by the ReichstaS in 1888 We were
of the opinion that the most favored nation
principle existed Internationally between ths
United States and the German Empire, based
upon Paragraphs D and 3 Of that old PEIs-
sian treaty. In other words, that all the con-
csssions made by of the contracting states
to a third country must ipso iure be extended
10 a most favored State. whether such conces-
sionS were made before that treaty was ne
was of different opinion. Then came the
Dingley tariff, under which the United States
Government concluded two treaties with France
and series of agreements with other countries
Acting upon C1r Interpretation OF the most ia
vored ma ton treaty. asked the United States
to extend TO Germany the concessions made TO
France. 1t upon this occasion that the
United States divergent view came to our
knowledge. Washington having pointed OUT that
the most favored nation principle referred Only
to conditions a1tecedelt 10 the treaty OF 1SZS-
We then began negotiations upon this view OF
the case. believing We could remove this p1int
frcm controversy for the present by maintain
ing the status quo toward the United States.
but upon the presuPposition and condition that
the United States grant the same onces-
sons as made to France under the Dingley
tariff. The American Government did so. but
we regarded it as unnecessary to lay the agree
ment before the Reichstag, because, a mat
ter Of fact. the United States conceded 10 rs
nothing new.
Referring to criticisms of the government yes
terday for abolishing hygienie measures against
the importation of American dried fruit, Seere-
tary Posadowsky- Wehner said:
I'VE could abolish the restrictions with good
conscience, since our experts established the
fact that the San Jose scale was incapable OF
propagating on dried fruit
The discussion was adjourned until tomorrow
without reaching a vote.