New-York tribune., 1905-02-25
GERMAgYs TRIUMPH IN TRADE

The hackneyed saying that it is an Ill wind
which blows nobody gOod-strangely distorted
by the way, from Shakespeares form of it
has seldom been more strikingIy exemplified in
national and international affairs than in the
making Of Germany'S new commercial treaties
These conventions are vastly more favorable
to Germany than almost any one would have
ventured to expect year or two ago They
are a veritable triumph in trade for the en-
pre and for Count Won Bulow. But they would
probably have been quite impossible save for
RuSSia'S embarrassmentS in Manchuria and for
the OminOusy strained relations between Aus
tria and Hungary The two great empires
which are chief among the powers with which
these treaties have been made-the others being
Italy, Switzerland, Belgium, Rumania and Ser
via-were hopelessy handicapped by their own
troubles, and practically had to agree to what
ever terms the German Chancellor proposed
Nor can we condemn the latter for taking an
undue advantage of their straits. 1t is proba
BILE that Germany has rendered to them both
services largely repaying them for their com
mercaI concessions TO her. Had Germany
been unfrendIy instead of sympathetic, Russia
would not have ventJIred to send all her feet
and the best part of her army to Asia and
Austrias hold upon her German provinces
might have been far less secure than it is
to-day
The most striking feature of the treaties
is the protection which they give to German
and especially to Prussian agriculture. They
are Junker treaties. Thus on wheat oats and
rye the duties have been increased by 81 per
cent rs per cent and As per cent, respectively,
and that on mailing barley by 100 per cent.
The increase on oxen is more than 100 per
cent on swine nearly 200 per cent, on sheep
about 45O per cent, and on horses 800 per cent
II these duties are not sufficiently prOhibitive to
serve the purposes of the Agrarians, there is
also system Of veterinary inspection and con-
troll which will make possible the entire exclu-
sion of livestock at the will of the government.
As against these things. which will doubtless
bear heavily against Russian agricultural in
terests Russia is not TO be permitted to make
any increase of her duties on German manu-
factured goods, excepting in few minor de-
tails Generally speaking, Germany is exact
ing of Russia the full rates imposed at the
height OF the tariff war Of dozen years ago,
while Russia is required to continue the con-
cessions which she made to Germany in the
terms of peace at the end of that disastrous
struggle.
There are the usual complaints of inequality
Of treatment which seem inevitable under any
tariff system. The iron trade especially pro-
tests that it has been sacrificed. But it has
| thus protested for years past. while at the
same time ii has enjoyed a marked degree of
! prosperity, or has suffered If at all only the
/ effects OF its own misGirected speculations
! The textile trade has little ground for com
plaint, with an increase of protective duties of
! from 30 to so per cent. On the whole there
I fore, there is cause for Germany to exult in
/ the achievement OF Count Won Bflow What
/ the effect win be upon Germany's chief competi-
| tor it will be interesting TO observe When Mr.
! Chamberlain points out to British manufactur-
ers that Germany is increasing the tariff nm
! their goods from 30 to so per cent and that
under the sweet influences of Cobdenism they
are inhibited from retaliating in any way or
/ from making treaty Of compensations, he will