New-York tribune., 1906-11-05
THE NORTH COMMISSION
Investigation of German Objections
to Tariff Regulations.
From IN. tribune Burssu.l J

CerT2EeD =. n.
Census. and James L. Gerry. chief OF the custom
division OF the Treasury Department, who will
sail from New York on Tuesday under special
instructions from Secretary Root TO confer with
representatives Of the German government. with
the hope OF paving the way TO agreement
whereby the United States may continue to
joy the privilege OF Germany's conventional
tariff after July ! next They viii be Joined at
Berlin by N I Stone. OF the Department OF Com
rnerce and Labor. who is the third member Of
the commission and who is now in Germany on
special duty
The sending OF the commission IS entirely vol
untary the part OF this government Its mis-
sion is really one Of comfy and good will but
the fact that there has been some friction be-
tween Germany and the United States over tariff
Questions and that trade war between the two
countries. with their immense interrelated
trade, recently imminent and is likely actu-
ally 10 confront the two countries next summer
lends especial significance TO the trip Of the trade
ENJOYS. and perhaps no more important CONNER
cial commission was sent out by this gov
eminent
Last year the German government was the
point OF applying her maximum tariff duties on
American goods. the effect OF which would have
been 10 pTecpitate trade war OF vast conse-
Quence. affecting the entire Industrial world.
The United States exported TO Germany In the
fiscal year ended June 30 1906. goods valued at
S234.742.l62. Germany. IN turn. sold to the
United States S135 742 995 worth OF goods. Ger
many buys from the United States annually al
most twice as much as any other country except
Great Britain. 10 which nation we supply goods
worth over FIVE hundred million dollars a year.
That an amicabIe business relationship between
the German Empire and the United States is
desirable IS evident from these figures.
DUTIES OF THE COMMISSION.
The instructions to the United States commits
sion provide that II shall discuss with a like
commission Of the Kaiser's government tariff
problems affecting the two countries and con-
slider such changes IN the United States customs
regulations as the Germans desire. The German
government has appointed commission 10 con-
fer with AIr. North and his associates.
No authority IS given the American commits
sion 10 negotiate treaty. It is the intention
apparently 10 reach an adjustment without at
tempting 10 conclude q new commercial conven-
tion. the ratification OF which. II II involved I'm
por1ant schedule changes. would almost certainly
fall in Congress. The way TO a settlement OF
the difficulties, Il is believed, can be reached
through administrative concessions involving
matters Of customs administration without ap-
peal 10 Congress. where the high tariff men have
The balance Of power and where the suggestion
of a reciprocity convention and modification of
has been ascertained. moreover. that Germany's
principal grievances DO not apply so much to
schedules 10 certain OF the customs rules.
Some OF these are Treasury regulations and 9TH
ers are statutory requirements to change which
would require action by Congress, but would
not auect existing SCHEDULES. Upon representa-
tons made by this government that an effort
would be made eliminate the ob5ectiona bic
regulations, Germany postponed until July the
time when her general tariff law should become
operative against the United States, and in turn
me President extended 10 Germany the limited
reciprocity provisions Of Section OF the Dingley
law, which refers 10 a few specifically named
articles The new German rates which in the
absence Of special reciprocity treaty would
apply 70 imports from The United States would
affect particularly meat products and bread
stuns, the articles which constitute the bulk
of American sales 10 that country. The in
creased duties these products. Il is calculated
would greatly affect their sale II Americas sec
end best market fer canned beef, bacon, hams
pork, lard and oleonaTgarine. and corn, oats
IS heat wheat -four, etc. The exports 10 Ger
many Tor the last year in lard alone amounted
n S1S5226-6 and in corn 10 Sl2,1V3, ,sST. While
the heavy exports OF cotton, copper, etc are not
Disseminated against IN the maximum schedules.
u IS realized that 2 commercial war would nee
essariIy affect all commodities which Germany
IS now buying in such large quantities from this
country
SEEK THOROUGH UNDERSTANDING.
Realization Of these conditions caused the ad-
rliuistration 10 give due consideration TO the
question Of the commercial relations Of Germany
and the United States in all IT'S aspects and the
sending Of the North commission is evidence OF
the Determination CT the officials 10 reach clear
and thorough understanding Of the subject The
general character Of Germany's complaints has
formed the subject OF frequent conferences be-
tween the representatives OF the German gov
eminent II Washington and the State Depart
ment officials. but q satisfactory adjustment has
been difficult because Of the extremely compI-
Gated questions involved and because Of the IN
sympathetic attitude OF Congress toward reel
prOCity treaties Neither Secretary Root nor
Baron Won Stern burg, the German Ambassador
IN Washington, IS a tariff expert. and they have
been forced TO consider facts at second hand and
70 deal. with conditions with which neither is
familiar
The careful investigation 70 be made by MI
N0rt1's commission VIII Il is expected. clear
away al Observation-Disclosures and enable this
government 10 get a broad view OF the whole sit
uarlOn- Germany, al the same time will get A
clearer understanding OF the American position
as the result OF a free and full discussion OF
the subject by the German representatives with
the American commissioners, and their report
VIII have its influence Not all Of the factions
II German po-lLlcs are favorable TO eXacting
trade reprisals from the United States The
German business men. FOR instance whose inter
ests have been built up on the basis OF present
relations, view with concern the dtspositton Of
the imperial authorities to enter upon cam
paign OF tariff retaliation against the United
States, and would prefer closer rather than
more distant. relations between the two coun-
tries. Industrial Germany wants the cbean
FOODS CI the l nlfed states Agrarlan Germany.
the other hand, whose political representa-
tives in the saddle, is inclined TO encourage
Determinations against the United States and
wants the largest measure OF protection agsinsf
American foodstufs
The American commissionerB viii rnaka .hs,-
report TO Secretary Root, and inasulucb as the
report viii probably recommend certair s+a+u-
tory changes IN the customs regulations the data
VIII undoubtedly be submitted 10 Congress- Tor
consideration. II Is expected that the commits
sion win complete rs Investigations In tirne to
Permit the submission OF it's report 70 Congress