The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-05-16
THEY ARE GETTING UNEASY.

friends are rubbing their ears and think ing thoughts over the German tarin proposition which Is scheduled to go into effect on March 1 of next year. They can see nothing wrong in high tariff rates as long as the benefits are all coming this way. but when the other fellow is to get the long end of the stick 1t puts them to thinking.
 Some interesting figures are given by a contemporary bearing on this matter. and they afford food for thought to this country. For example, our ex- ports to Germany during the hfteen years just past have increased nearly s12s,000,000, while our imports from that country have increased only about s12.500.oo0. In other words, we are now sending to that country something like s115.500.0o more than we are get ting from them. This Is what we may well call big thing, and 1t is possible and profitable because of the low tarin imposed by Germany on importatiohs' Because of their low tariff our produc- era and manufacturers could ship their goods to that country at large profits and thus the balance of trade Is very much in our favor. In the words or The Hartford Courant, Tt was foolish to think that a fact of this size could escape the notice of the German pro- tectionists. President William, Mckin- lev told us, just before his death, that we'd be foolish to think we can go on
 
 of the world to do the buying"
 Of course it was foolish, and 1t was still more foolish to think that a Gov ernment like Germany would go on for ever submitting to such a one-sided ar rangement as now prevails between the two countries. Germany has had, or believes |. has had, various causes of complaint against us. but this one Is of a material nature. and one which Is felt not only by the Government, but by all the people. That time would come when forbearance would cease and the German would strike back and play for even, or for advantage, is not to be wondered at, and they pro- pose an increased tariff as their trump caRd.
 The new schedule adopted by the German Government. and which is to go into effect on the 1st of March next, is a long one which 1t is not necessary to set out, but a few specimen items will be interesting. The old and new duties are as follows on each 100 pounds: Lard and tallow raised from $1.09 to s1.S6; bacon, $2.16 to $S.s9; fresh beef, s1.62 to $4.s7; salt beef, $1S4 to $6.45; refined petroleum, 65 cents to s1.0S; sewing machines, $2.60 to $3.79.
 From this 1t will be seen that on six items the average increase Is about s1.91 per hundred pounds. and on some of these the duty will absolutely shut out American products, while on the others it will very materially reduce the profits. Referring to the prospects ahead of us The Courant says the President and MT, Hay "are anxious to get a reasonable, fair, workable reci- procity treaty with Germany, and to get 1t before next March; everybody knows that. They are Mckinley Re- publicans But they can do nothing in | the premises for the safeguarding of American interests without the co-op- | eration of the Senators and Represen- l tatives, who as a rule are not McKin- l ley Republicans. If we are to see an other winter of stand pat" folly, some of our manufacturers and exporters | have unpleasant experiences close ahead of them"
 We admit that the President is anx- ious for a treaty which will be mu- tually beneficial, but suppose Germany | refuses to enter into such treaty, what | then. That Government has the same right to fix It's tariff rates that we have. There is as much right and justice in a prohibitive tariff for them as in one for us, and they have as much reason for protecting their own people and | their own interests as can be advanced in our favor. If the Republican Party l had not been fattening so long on a tariff that is In many respects prohibit | tive, and that has enriched a few al the expense of many It's leaders could with some consistency complain al what Germany proposes. As it is they must take their own medicine or put | themselves in the position of suppli- cants before Germany. It would treat them right to let them sizzle in theil own fat for a time.