New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-09-15
GERMANY. RUSSIA. AND orR WHEAT


The German Government is just now partcu-
larry busy i'm trying tn negotiate new com
merciaI treaty with Russia. Russia is also de-
voting much attention to the subject the Car
having authorized the late Minister Of Finance,
NJ. de White. TO take charge of the Russian side
IF it, a new treaty is necessary. because of tho
expiration Of the existing one with the present
year. ana because. also. Of the new tariff which
goes into force i'm Germany next year. The
matter is Of great importance 10 both countries.
because each is one of the chief customers OF
the other. We may add that il is Of interest to
the United States. because. while trade with
Russia is inconsdera bic. American commerce
with Germany is very large. ranking second Only
/, 10 that with the United Kingdom. and because.
in our export trade with Germany. Russia is cur
chief most menacing and most bitter competi-
tor
Here is the situation: OF the five great cereals
Germany imported in the last fiscal year little
more than 100000 metric tons The chief
sources were as follows: OF the 42S663 tons
of corn, the bulk 3O6.:2O. came from the United
States, Russia standing next with 54117 tons.
OF the 6oS.9I6 tons OF barley. Russia was first
with :I91 S5p and Austria Hungary second with
1G0.119 tons. the United States being nowhere"
In the 237949 tons OF oats. Russia had prac-
teal monopoly. furnishing 216.233 tons. The
may be said Of rye-of the 429S09 tons
5Sf.9S0 coming from Russia. 1t is in wheat
that the crUx of the case is found. Germany
imported S26,713 tons. OF that amount 301.6I5
tons came from the United States. 297.59l from
Russia and 1556S2 from Argentina. 1t may be
added that Rumania stood second in the supply
Of oats and third in that of every other grain
Now. Russia can scarcely hope 10 rival the
United States in the production of corn. She
has not the climate for it, But she can produce
wheat in enormous quantities, and she could
supply the whole German demand if the United
States and Argentina were out of the way 1t
is TO rid herself Of these two competitors that
she Is straining every nerve. Hence the inspira-
ton of her demand. recently reported. that in
making the new commercial treaty Germany
shall stpuiate 10 discriminate against il not
positively TO exclude. the wheat Of the United
States and of Argentina. That Germany will
DO is scarcely 10 be expected Yet she will
endeavor to avoid entering into a tariff war
with Russia such as that of eleven years ago
II will he recalled that then. on the expiration
Of the former commercial treaty with Russia in
ISs2. there arose one of the bitterest tariff wars
in history. Germany began by putting a pro-
hibitory tariff upon Russian grain. Russia I'm
return doubled all her duties on German goods.
So the conflict went on. bringing the two coun-
tries almost 10 the verge Of military war until
happily. on February 10 1893. the present and
now expiring commercial treaty was concluded
Russia now seems 10 he trying. under threat Of
another such war. 10 force Germany into a stint
lar war with the United States. in which de-
sign we may trust she will not succeed