Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-12

pinch II 1elt the worst, dogs anu cats dHc
eaten Warm times are predicted wnen
the reichstag reopens on November 13
II you look through the table of exports
you viii notice that We sold Germany COM
paratively little beef tonly 81. 6656 21 worth
In 1906 and less than half million dollars
worth In 1905. The exports of pork were
even smaller. At the same time, Germany
imported from Austro-H Hungary about $l2s.-
1000 worth of cattle and q large quantity
Of other livestock products. She could not
import cattle or beef from the United
States because of restrictions based upon
the pretext that American cattle are dis
eased although Austrian. French. Swiss.
Danish and other countries, where con-
tagious diseases are far more prevalent
Il in the United States do not suffer
from this discrimination.
The customs regulations have absolutely
prohibited the export Of American cattle or
beef to Germany since 1894. and the same
other meats Since 1900 there has been 9
similar embargo upon canned meats, but
after the President Of the United States has
sonabIe to criticise Germany for doing So
II President Roosevelt had deliberately
studied the best method Of destroying our
trade In canned meats in Europe he could
not have found q more effective one than he
adopted last summer. 1t will require sew
eral years to restore confidence and re-
cover the trade. At present nothing can be
done to remove the stigma which the Presi-
dent of the United States has placed upon
one OF the greatest Industries when. with
out advertising our own failings, he might
have accomplished the same object without
doing any injury.
Several Interesting Facts.
You will notice In the list of exports sew
eral interesting items. Our cotton fabrics
are gradually working their way Into the
German market; our boots and shoes are
now being sold in every one Of the great
German cities; we are sending sewing ma
chimes. typewriters, bicycles and even
clocks and watches to Germany, and our
agricultural implements are to be found
upon all the great estates. Our greatest
competition In these particulars comes
from Germany itself. Our greatest COM
petitors In food products are Russia. Aus
tria and Hungary. There will be no COM
petition from Russia next year, however.
because Of failure Of crops throughout
the empire Russia will not have enough
breadstun to feed her own people.
One important item In the exports OF the
United States to Germany is apples. and
the quantity Is increasing every year. Last
season we shipped $50, 795 barrels and IA, $50
boxes OF apples to Hamburg and 1922 bar
rels and II. 200 boxes to Bremen. Counting
three boxes to the barrel. this makes a total
Of about 100000 barrels an increase from
barrels In 1904. The trade would be very
mpch larger but for the restrictions have
mentioned.
German Agrarian Party.
The agrarian party In Germany, which Is
composed of the farming community. is
well organized and very aggressive. 1t has
a large representation In the reichstag. and
the government is compelled to make con-
cessions to 1t In order to secure appropria-
lions for the navy, the army and other OBJ
jects In which the emperor Is deeply Inter-
ested. These concessions have become more
and more oppressive to importers of foreign
cally prohibitery and the consumers have
right to rebel Many of the regulations are
absurd and preposterous. 1t Is almost nee
essary for the customs house inspectors to
bite into every apple, to open every can OF
tomatoes or corned beef and destroy other
imports while they are ascertafning whether
they contain diseases or not. No horse can
be introduced into Germany without pedi-
gree, and all the organs OF an animal
must accompany the carcass in case OF
dressed beef.
Our new pure food law passed at the last
Congress will bother the Germans good
DEAL and they will construe 1t as retaliation
against them for the restrictions that have
been imposed upon American products. This
may be found effective by the tariff commits
sion which has just gone to Germany, or
perhaps 1t may prove to be an enbarrass-
ment. When the commissioners have had
their conferences at Berlin and made their
report we will know where we stand. It
may be said. however. that the pure food
law is much more severe upon the domestic
trade than upon the export trade 1t pro-
hibits the importation of adulterated or
misbranded foods or drugs, but permits the
of ANY article ito any foreign
country prepared and packed according to
the specifications or directions Of the for
the preparation or packing thereof in con-
hict with the laws OF the foreign country to
which said article Is intended to be ship
ped"