The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1907-03-07
A PIECE OF NATIONAL CORPORA.
TON MANAGEMENT.

TON MANAGEMENT.
The temporary trade understanding
now existing between this country and
Germany-for it is not even an agree
ment, but merely German assent to
our request to hold off in our case for
a year and half with their regular
tariff system-is left by this congress
as temporary trade understanding.
but with the time very nearly up. Our
commissioners have been in Germany,
studying up on the situation, and from
time to time rumors have spread that
they had acquired the necessary ele-
ments for working out definite and
permanent agreement; but whether
they have ever brought the details to-
gether in formal plan or not, We do
not know. The matter has not been
brought up in congress in any form;
and therefore the practical situation
is exactly the same as il nothing
whatever on our side had been done.
We have no doubt that our govern
ment will ask Germany for further
extension of time, pointing TO the ap-
pearance in Germany of our tariff
commissioners as a evidence of our
good faith. There were some spoken
jeers in the German Reichestag when
Prince Won Buelow brought our first
request in this matter before that
body, about a year ago, and more un-
spoken jeers. The entire atmosphere
of the Reichstag was scornful and
unbelieving-partly as to our inten-
tions, and partly as to our ability to
act in this matter. The prediction
was openly made that this country
would be over there again with the
same request when the time then
granted had run out. Our reappear-
ance in Berlin, then, asking for mre
time, will be the fulfllment of that
prediction. 1t will be the fulfillment,
too, when everybody knows that if
congress had the intentions of Mr..
Root in this matter, or Mr.. Root the
powers of congress to deal with it, a
satisfactory agreement might have
been made that would be in working
effect today.
Is There is no doubt that there are
strong influences in Germany and in
this country against an abrupt or vic.
lent end of the existing temporary
trade understanding between the two
countries. The volume of German
trade to this country, and the volume
of American trade in Germany, are
both too great to be trifled with by
seriOus-minded men in either coun-
try. The German politicians may jeer
at our profession of desire for re.
ciprocal trade, and American poll
ticians may sit solid and silent in
their chairs, but all the makers of
things and sellers Of things in both
countries wish to keep the commerce
between the two countries going as it
is, and growing as it is Kaiser Will
helm and Chancellor Won Buelow are
in this case, as they generally are, on
the side of the producing and selling
Germans, and it is therefore likely
that the assent of the Reichstag can
again be secured, if, in fact, we are
forced to ask for an enxtension of
time.
The United States is corporation
that is now carrying on business of
very nearly $3,O0O,0O0,0OO year with
other countries. In this vast trade
our business with Germany last year
amounted to 1888, 100000. She bought
from us last year 500, 100000 worth of
our products more than any other
country excepting Great Britain and
Ireland. She was our second best
customer by $153,6OO,0OO. France
stands third, but our sales alone to
Germany last year exceeded by $751;
100000 our entire sales to and pur-
chases from France. What kind of
cooperation management is it, then,
that leaves our commerce with Ger
many swinging, after year of begged
delay, upon the conjectured good will
of the German Emperor and the Ger
man chancellor and the conjectured
pilability of the German Reichstag!
Is it management at all-or sheer i'm
province and neglect that leaves $685.
100000 of our foreign trade in one
lump to the chance energy and ability
of the makers and merchants concern.