The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1907-05-23

That tariff revision downward is
distinctly contemplated In connection
with the pending negotiations With
/ Germany may be accepted as an indis-
! putable fact The end and aim OF the
German clamor for a change In our
customs administration methods has
been and is now TO obtain the admis-
sion OF Germanys competitive ex-
ports into the American market at
lower tariff rates than those hereto
fore exacted. No matter by what
name Il may be called. or in what
manner the real purpose is masked by
those having the matter in hand, the
/ intention on both sides Is that the
exporters OF Germany shall be al
forded improved opportunities for the
successful invasion of the American
market
II is well 10 keep this fact in mind.
for IL will help to clearer under
standing Of the statements contained
/ In an arsicle which We reprint from
the New York Journal OF Commerce.
OF April 10. embodying the details OF
the so-called 'provisorium" for the
extension for at least another year Of
the existing tariff truce between the
United States and Germany. The
article referred to has all the appear
ance OF being based upon exact Of
fetal information. II reads as though
Secretary Root had selected the Jour
nal of Commerce as medium for
communicating TO the public the truth
regarding the concessions conveyed
by the United States government TO
| Germany. through Ambassador Won
Sternburg. The accuracy OF this pre-
sentiment Is confirmed In Berlin
cAblegram OF April IL and printed in
the New York Herald OF April 10, as
/ follows:
Berlin. Saturday 1t Is reported In
/ commercial and industrial circles that
Baron Speck Won Sternburg German
ambassador TO Washington. who ar
rives IN Berlin IN n few days. Is re-
| turning with a draft OF temporary
agreement with the United States.
This temporary agreement does not
/ require the sanction OF congress. q is
alleged II increases the concessions
/ hitherto made by the United States
government to Germany. The follow
ing are the main points:
1t will no longer be necessary for
exporters 20 report TO American CON
suls. but American appraisers are d.
rected 10 accept the attestations Of
/ the German chamber OF commerce
The American special treasury agents
will no longer operate in secret. but
viii be replaced by agents properly
and officially accredited TO the Ger
man government. Hearings by Amer
lean general appraisers will in future
not be confidential. but will be made
public"
II II be true, as both the Herald and
the Journal OF Commerce agree In
saying. that Germany has obtained
the concessions set forth above. then
tariff revision downward without leg
islation Is near al hand. Taken alto
gether, these concessions practically
permit the foreign exporter 20 deter.
mine what tariff his goods shall pay
on entering the American market. Our
duties being sd valorem. the foreign
exporter fixes the duty when he fixes
the value OF invoices for export. Our
government valves the right 20 dis
pute either the value fixed or the tar
IN paid. American consuls abroad no
longer are permitted 70 call in Ques-
ton the values OF export invoices.
American special treasury agents Will
no longer concern themselves in the
ascertainment either OF production
cost OF OF current Wholesale values In
the country OF origin. Instead OF OPP
Grating secretly. as heretofore, the
treasury agents must now work in the
open. and. moreover. they must be d.
rectly accredited and be acceptable to
the German government. precisely as
our ambassadors and consuls are; and
II. through the performance Of their
oficial duties. they should become
persona non grata to the German gov
eminent they will be promptly called
home.
German chambers OF commerce.
small bodies made up OF the very per
sons who have produced the goods,
and are most interested IN tarin
evasion. are to fix export values
American consuls and American treas
ury agents IN Germany are TO accept
these values without question. and APP
praising officers at American ports OF
entry, duly mindful OF the fact that
we are now dealing with Germany in
a spirit OF concession, will be very
certain to avoid any unpleasant fric-
ton with state and treasury depart
ments thoroughly committed to the
policy OF tariff concession.
As matter OF practical operation
We might as we'll altogether dispense
with consnls and special agents
abroad and sppraising officers at
home. German chambers of commerce
will perform all the functions Of those
officials.
Upon whose advice. upon what In
formation have Secretary Root and
Secretary Cortelyou acted In deciding
that the tariff shall be reduced by the
differentiation plan? Perhaps the adj