Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-13
GERMANY At PEACE
WITH UNCLE SAM
Reichstag Passes the CONNER
ciaI M0dus Vivendi.
~@as- nrn44-lAnI nnavagaV
SOME OPPOSITION SHOWN
Count Won Kanitz Did Not Want to
Strengthen Our Tariff Policy.
rs BUT A TEMPORARY MEASURE
National-Liberals Accept the Bill
Only With the Assumption
Of Reciprocity.

BERLIN May 13.-The reichstag today,
with only few negative votes, passed the
second reading of the commercial modus
vivendi between Germany and the United
States.
Only some conservatives and anti-Semites,
representing agrarian constituents voted
against the measure. They took the ground
that the arrangement meant no advantage
to German agriculture. No member of the
cabinet spoke.
Herr Kaempf, second vice president OF
the reichstag, in reporting the work of the
committee said that a proposal had been
made to set limit on the time in which
the modus vivendi must be denounced.
Another proposal was that the reichstas
reserve the right of determining the date
of the denunciation. while other members
of the committee demand that the gov
eminent denounce the agreement June l.
1910, at the latest. The government had
promised to supply the reichstag with In
formation from time to time as to how the
arrangement was working. Thereupon the
exacting specific pledges.
Won Kanitz's Contention.
Count Won Kanitz, one of the leaders of
the conservative party, complained that Ger
many's yielding attitude strengthened the
United States in her reckless tariff policy"
adding:
'I and my political friends have repeated
ly begged the government to repay Ameri-
cas- tariff measures with like coin. Ger
many has conceded so much to the United
States that a definite commercial treaty is
out of the question. The German farmers
are quite indifferent about the modus VI
vendi although fully recognizing that GER
tain provisions, especially those respecting
fruit. could become oppressive for them in
time. Let the Germans take lesson from
America and pursue self-reliant and not
a reckless tariff policy
Loud applause greeted the counts last
remark.
Only Temporary Measure.
Dr. Herond, center, said his party was will
ing to accept the modus vivendi only be-
cause the interior minister, Count Won Posa-
dowski- Wehner, positively asserted that 1t
was a mere temporary measure-a transi-
tional step to permanent commercial
treaty.
The center party, he added. would vote for
the agreement with the confident expecta-
ton that the government would denounce II
IL the American customs administration was
not carried out in the spirit stipulated, and
with the expectation that the United states
would no longer treat German goods less
favorably than those of other countries.
Herr Fuhrmann, national liberal, spoke
in a similar vein, adding that the national
liberals voted for the moduS vivendi only
upon the express stipulation that 1t would
remain in force for only short period. In
accordance with the governments distinct
promises and also the understanding that
il the United States reflses to give Ger
many reciprocity corresponding in some
me sure to that accorded to other states
the federated governments would not hesi-
tate to give the United States clearly to
understand that they are not disposed to
regard as permanent the present condi-
tons, which are so unfavorable to the Ger
man export trade.
Assent Of Socialists.
Herr Molkenbuhr, socialist signified the
socialists assent to tie agreement because
the measure was calculated to improve the
political and commercial relations between
the two countries.
Dr. Won Drksen, conservative, supported
the measure but said that some Of his
friends were opposed to it, believing that
a period without the understanding under
the German general tariff was preferable,
as being better calculated to bring about
a commercial treaty. The conservatives
who would vote for the modus vivendi
would do so with the distinct expectation
that the government would not let 1t run
longer than absolutely necessary for ar
irving at a permanent arrangement.
The modus vivendi bill then passed its
second reading without the necessity Of
taking vote on the measure.