Omaha daily bee., 1903-02-03

TO AMDRlCAN TRADE.
A report OF the American consul gen
eral at Berlin points out that the Ger
man tariff will be to a serious extent
adverse TO our trade with that country,
unless modified by a reciprocity treaty.
He notes as especially significant the
largely increased duties on grain and
cereal products, which are more than
doubled. while on flour there is placed
a practically p%rohibitory dutys On other
important staple exports from the
United States, in the line of manufac-
lures, duties are largely Increased. A
similar policy is being pursued by Aus
tria in the Encouragement of her tariff
and Russia has also just adopted a new
general customs tariff that considerably
increases duties, which will unfavOr-
ably affect American trade with that
country, though this is not now very ex-
tensive.
A short time ago the Prussian finance
minister made the significant declara-
ton that i'm his opinion America is the
dark spot in the heavens of our indus
try. Our internal market must be
greatly strengthened. for our market is
today dependent upon America and
England. Agriculture must be our spe-
cial concern" This, undoubtedly very
well represents the general, feeling In
Europe toward this country. The
American invasion must somehow be
checked, but the statesmen of, the Eu-
ropean countries are finding this a most
difficult problem. In most Of those
countries there can be no great i'm
provement II agricultural conditions
and therefore they must continue to
draw more. or less of their food sup
plies from the United States. This is
particularly the case with Germany.
1t cannot produce sufficient to supply
the home demands for fOodstuffs and in
juring the masses of it's own people.
The chief part of what Germany buys
from us 1t must import and 1t can
get 1t to better advantage from us than
liOhi hhS bOhN NlSVs ~ lul as uiuhuldi-
turers are concerned, possibly it would
be to its advantage to shut out Amer
lean competition, but in doing this It
must count upon some loss of exports
port from Germany we can get with
equal advantage elsewhere in case our
export trade to it should be curtailed.
We cannot fairly complain of the
higher tariffs of European countries,
framed with reference TO protecting
their industries, so long as they do not
distinctly discriminate against our
products. This we object to. As a mat
ter of fact the United States has sub-
mltted for years to the most unjust dis
ordinations on the part of Germany,
France and some other European oun
tries, the representations of our gov
eminent in regard to this and the re-
quests for fair and just treatment being
disregarded. 1t can be confidently ex-
pected that the policy Of discrimination
will become more pronounced than it Is
IL the United States does not take steps
to counteract 1t. The resolution. Of Sen
ator Lodge, providing for an inquiry in
regard TO tariff determinations, against
the United States, should be favorably
acted upon and If discrimination is
shown something decisive should be
done for putting an end to it. The Amer
lean farmer and manufactures want
only fair treatment in the worlds mar.
kets and it is the duty of the govern
ment to use every effort to secure this
for them.