The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1907-05-07
NEW TRADE TREATY
Abstract of Proposed Agreement
With Germany.
PROVIDES MINIMUM DUTIES

- GNNSH0S 10 bSNn OoonkrtcS Hcouc-
tions On Specified Articles and Is
70 Govern For An Indefinite Length
Of Time.
Washington. May 4-The project
OF commercial agreement" between
America and Germany. which is T.
govern the trade relations of the two
countries for an indefinite period In
the future. is composed OF four dis
t'nct portions. In the first place there
Is the agreement" itself. which.
briefly stated. extends 20 Germany the
reductions OF duty authorized ON all of
the articles mentioned In the third sec.
ton OF the Dingley act. This. in fact
amounts simply to the addition Of
champagnes and sparkling wines TO
the list of articles upon which Ger
many already has reduced rates. In
1907 the total imports into America of
German champagne were 1886 dozen
quarts. valued at s93.s7S. The rcduc.
ton OF duty on this champagne at s.
per bottle would consequently amount
To n little over $4,000. which Is the
monetary value OF the concessio, to
Germany. supposing the trade does not
greatly increase. as OF course TO be
expected. IL is a matter Os interest TO
note that the importation Of French
champagne last year amounted to ISL .
GOO dozen quarts valued at s5.6l3.OOO
Other articles OF the fundamental
agreement" provide for the speedy
application OF the new rates. to their
extension to the whole custom terri
tories of the parties. and TO the con
cession of a list OF American articles
upon which minimum rates will appl,
ON importation into Germany.
The second part of the agreement is
detailed statement of the list Of arti-
cles above referred TO. At present all
American products are admitted into
Germany at = minimum tarsn rate.
Hereafter under this new agreement
only the articles specified may be so
admitted. II is stated that in fact the
list comprises 97ia per cent. OF the
American imports into Germany and
appears. generally speaking. TO com
prise grains fruit. timber. meats Tex
cept bacon). petroleum and its pro-
ducts. leather goods. including shoes.
certain classes OF India rubber goods
paper and paper stock. stones. glass
ware. railroad iron mot mentioning
railsl. steam and gas engines. phone
graphs. vehicles. small arms. locks
watches and parts thereof. and music.
boxes and organs. General machinery
and typewriters. now on the list OF i'm
ports. are subject to maximum rates.
The third section OF the agreement
comprises the draft OF a note embodv-
Ing changes 20 be made in the existins.
American Instructions 10 customs and
consular officers. These changes are
rot limited in their operation 10 Ger
man imports but are applicable In i'm
Orts into America from many othc..
Countries. Most important is a defni
ticn OF market value as OF the place
where the goods are sold wholly Tor
export. TIE provision that re~apprais p
m M hearings shall be open unlc IS
the board az appraisers certify that the
pu>l!c interests would suffer thereby.
aad the requirement that America.i
treasury agents in Germany shall De
automatically credited to The German
government and cooperate with the
German chambers of commerce. whose
! certificates OF value shall be compe-
/ tent evidence.
The last section OF the document is
an undertaking by the president to
recommend 20 congress the amend
iaent Of section 81 Of the Dingley act
so as - allow 10 per cent. margin
/ IN the case 81 nnder-valuatlOns before
penalty shall be imposed upon the i'm
| porter.