New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-19
NO TARIFF WAR WITH GERMANY.

II is now generally agreed that the enforce
ment by the German government of the new
tariff law. which is TO go into effect on March J.
will not entail rupture Of the friendly trade
relations existing between Germany and the
United States. Although we cannot-for lhe
present AT least-c, include a treaty with Ger
many putting us commercially on footing with
the seven European nations entitled to favored
treatment in the German custom houses, there
are cogent reasons for exempting US from the
operations of the maximum tariff levied against
countries not admitted to Germany's new Zoll-
veren These reasons are so well UNDERSTOOD
in Berlin that the government has decided to
ask the Reichstag for authority TO admit Amerl-
products for year from March at the
lower conventional rates, securing as a set-on
certain notifications in the invoicing and valua-
ton Of dutiable German products entering this
country This agreement, If ratified, Will work
to the advantage Of both countries and it will
be accepted here rational and satisfactory
solution OF problem which threatened ut one
time to embroil us in useless and wasteful
commercial war
The problem was created by Germanys nc
ton In establishing reciprocity arrangements
with its Central European neighbors and in
denouncing the treaty of commerce and friend
ship under which we were entitled to most IA
vored nation treatment in German ports. 1t u.s.
Germany taking the initiative in repairing as
far as possible the breach caused by its altera-
ton of policy. The United States had no desire
TO interrupt the friendly relations under which
our commerce with Germany has been steadily
developed. We should not have invited war,
and have been anxious to avoid clash which
could only lead to costly reprisals. But fortu-
nately, we had far less TO lose in such contest
than Germany; and the realization Of that
fact at Berlin has now prompted the suggestion
Of a modus vivendi which gives US for year
at least the privileges in the German market
granted TO Russia, Austria Hungary and Italy,
but denied to France Spain, the Scandinavian
countries, Holland and Great Britain.
Germany's self-interest I'm this arrangement
is clear, as we have often pointed out. In the
fiscal year 1904-'O5 our exports to that country
were valued at S194O00OOO Our return pur-
chases amounted TO Sl1S,0O0OO0. But Of our
exports nearly two-thirds were CT raw or par
tally manufactured materials used in German
industry. The most important Of these prod
ucts. including cotton, copper, Oilcake and naval
stores are now free Of duty and will remain SO
under any circumstances OF our total exports
valued at $194, OOO,O00-probably not more
than so per cent will be affected by prospective
tariff changes. But of Germanys trade with
us probably 50 per cent is dutiabe and in arti.
cles which we can produce ourselves or pur-
chase In other foreign markets. Retaliation on
our part would, therefore, mean the extinction
of Germanys export trade TO this country AS
German ambitions are now centred in industrial
development and expansion in the ocean carrying
trade, a double blow would thus be struck at
national progress. For IT must be remembered
that trade with the United States is at present
one OF the main props to German shipping. The
Agrarian party in the empire would probably
welcome breach with tha ITDitnd Statac which
would exclude our food products and raise the
general cost Of living. But Germany's aspira-
tons a world power would be killed by the
sacrifice Of industry, commerce and shipping TO
the demands of the landed interests. Under
these conditions n tariff war with the United
States has no justification, politically or eco
nomicaly. And, since such war has no DUR
pose for either contestant there ought to be
no difficulty about keeping peace