Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-11

new German law and in connection with
the reciprocity treaties based thereon, the
difference in favor of the European fruit
would practically destroy the American
trade.
Germany Demands Concessions.
1t is not with the spirit of interference or
idle curiosity that many European states
men, hundreds of employers and thousands
of workmen are most anxiously awaiting
the final action of the United States in
matters affecting the foreign trade of that
country. Within the past two years the
European people have obtained most in
telligent estimate of political and industrial
conditions in the United States. They no
longer expect trade treaties to be made by
the State Department independently of
Congress, and they. are reading with In
terest the very full accounts printed in
six or seven different languages In Europe
of the tariff discussion in progress in the
United States.
1t is now fully understood that the matter
rests with Congress as a legislative body,
and not with any treaty-making power. 1t
is less fully realized that question of
domestic well as foreign policy Is con-
cerned with any tariff revision. 1t is not
understood why legislation cannot be Sc
cured which will make 1t possible for the
United States government to enter into
trade negotiations with foreign governments
without disturbing the tariff situation as 1t
affects home industry. The German gov
into a trade treaty with the United States,
in which American products will be given
every possible advantage in the German
markets in return for some tangible conces-
sions to German trade In America. So long
as the present spirit exists in German gov
eminent circles the United States govern
ment could undoubtedly make treaty in
which the Germans would meet American
advances more than half way. There would
be no hard bargaining far the Ger
mans are concerned, but a point has been
reached when, in justice to German indus
try and as matter of political eXpedi-
ency, Germany can no longer continue to
favor American trade without some recog-
milton of advantages conferred in the shape
of appreciate, if not equal, concessions to
German enterprises.
Advancement Of American Trade.
The countries of continental Europe now
present a practically solid front against the
further advancement of American foreign
trade. This action is not really hostile, how
ever The principle of protection has gained
ground rapidly in the past decade, for
which the example of the United States is
largely responsible. The principle of reel
procity so freely discussed and widely adj
vocated, but so sparingly adopted by the
United States, has made equal progress in
securing practical recognition among Euro
pean peoples. The backwardness of the
Americans in adopting comprehensive rec
iprocity policy Is not fully understood by
European statesmen, and is a cause of con-
siderable wonder and small resentment.
The wonder is based on the fact that the
United States has more to gain in secur-
ing a foothold and opportunity for ad-
vancement of her foreign trade than any
other country in the world American COM
petition is looked upon in Europe as the
most dangerous form of commercial rivalry,
and when concessions are offered to Ameri-
can exporters these concessions possess far
more significance than is implied in the
actual granting of the same.
From a foreign point of view the conclu-
sion is forced upon any observer, no mat
ter how conservative he may be, that the
tariff situation in the United States will
reach a notable crisis within a year; that
is. so far as it may have bearing upon
international trade relations. Germany has
a deal to lose I'M preeipitating any tariff war
between herself fand the United States, but
she has now taken position in tariff mat
tiers from which She cannot recede, and one
which will shortly COMPEL the attention of
the American people, Encouraged by the
stand taken byoGermany, other European
countries will follows her lead, and no
amount of bluff or buster on the part of
the United StatssIwilb do away with an alb
solute necessity for che purchase of con-
cessions to be paid for in kind.
3sE u d. WHELPLEY.