The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-07-23

may De SdtHeTeu IIOIu tuo ldCC Iuo'
the Fatherland's wines, beer, malt
sausages, beverages and other food
products. which have been exported
to the United States in increasing
quantities and to the value of many
millions annually, will be barred from
entrance.
Not the least abominable aspect OF
the law is that of subterfuge. The dl-
rect method by which the effect OF
the ''pure-food" law would have been
accomplished had not the administra-
ton feared to incur the peoples dis
pleasure would have been by adding
to the restrictive tariff embodying in
the Dingley schedules prohibitive
rates against the German articles In
question, and basing the action upon
the ground of needed protection.
But the country was in no mood fol-
raising the tariff and the administra,
ton feared to touch it even where the
operation suited the purpose Of priv
LEGGED interests, so the result was
sought in another way. The pure
food" lava clumsy contrivance, be
ing nominally a police LAWS to be
made a supplement to the tariff; in
operation it will run side by side with
the Dingley schedules; its effect will
be to shut out competition, the only
difference being that it's restriction is
positive and absolute, while the Ding
ley bar acts under the cover of pro-
hibitive rates and in the name OF
protection"
The clause under which Germany s
imports will be excluded is that no
food products shall be received in
this country which are manufactured
contrary to the laws of the country
from which they are exported. Ger
tain German stuffs are not marketable
in the home country, it is alleged, be-
cause of chemical compounds and
authorizations. But it is significant
that thu articles in question have
passed inspection in this country and
that no objection has heretofore been
taken to the alleged compounds and
authorizations; and dOubly significant
that the purpose of the law is retalia-
tory and the intent is to abandon it
when Germany shall have been
drought to terms" 1t looks very
much as if the administration had
opportunity seized upon the fact of
technical nOnmarket- ability for want
Of a better excuse. 1t is reasonably
certain that when Germany SHALL
have made certain desirable tariff con
cessions our prodigiously vigilant
protectors will drop their squeamish-
ness, admit the goods as heretofore
time out of mind, and apologize to the
German manufacturers. Officials of
the agricultural department make no
secret of the fact that the "pure-fOod'
lection of the American consumer S
health, but simply as retaliatory
measure to counterfeit tariff discrim-
nations.
In the light of all tariff experience
sired result? Reciprocity which is
the euphemism for tariff warfare has
proceeded upon the scheme Of going
the enemy one better-or worse Ma
tons have demonstrated human ma
ture Tariff blows met by blows have
not led to pacification. Bad met by
bad has not brought good. Bad has
become worse Pursuant to the pres
ent policy of RECIPROCITY" the admin
istratiOn has for some time gradually
and of late almost precipitately in
volved the United States in tariff diff
cultes with the other principal ma
tons. A series of determinations and
retaliations has resulted in damage
anu III SOlnc cases III duAIulldlIOI VI
trade.
With Canada we are at outs. Eng
land is considering the advisability OF
hitting back. Germany has struck Sc
we're blows. France and Italy are
likely to retaliate soon for the injury
done them. AS among themselves
these nations are involved to a like
extent. In general the tendency is
| toward more and harder blows and g
severance of trade relationships. Re-
| taliatiOn is suicidal