The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-04
TREATY AGREEMENT
AND WHAT 1T MEANS
Deals With Trade Relations Be-
tween the United States and
Germany.
DINGLEY ACT REDUCTION
Articles Provide for the Speedy
Application Of New
Rates.

WASHINGTON. D. c.. May 3.-The
tween America and Germany which is
to govern the trade relations of the
two countries for an indefinite period
Is composed of four distinct portions.
In the first place. there Is the agree
nent" itself. which extends to Germany
the reductions of duty authorized on all
OF the articles mentioned in the third
section in the Dingley act. This. in
fact, amounts simply to the addition
of champagnes and sparkling wines
TO tie list of articles upon which Ger
many already has reduced rates. In
1906 the total imports into America of
German champagne were 9.236 dozen
quarts, valued at s93,973. The reduc-
ton of duty on this champagne at 81
per bottle you'd consequently amount
to a little over $4,000. which is the
monetary value of the concession to
Germany. supposing the trade does not
greatly increase. as. of course. Is to be
expected. 1t is a matter of interest
to note that the importation of French
champagne last year amounted to
3s1. 900 dozen quarts. valued at So
$4,000.
Other articles of the fundament;r
agreement provide for the speedy APP
plication Of the new rates; to their
extension to the whole OF the Gus
tom territories of the parties and to
the concession of a list of American
articles upon which minimum rates
will apply on importation into Ger
many.
Must Specify Articles.
mr. thn ;-
detailed statement of the list Of
articles above referred to. at pres
ent all American products are adj
mitted into Germany at minimum tar.
If rates Hereafter under this new
agreement only the articles specified
may be so admitted. 1t is stated that
in fact that list comprises the per cent
Of the American interests in Germany,
and appears generally speaking, to
comprise grains. fruit. timber. meats
Except 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 (not mentioning
rails), steam and gas engines; phono-
graphs. vehicles small arms. clocks,
watches and parts thereof, and music
boxes and organs. General machinery
and typewriters, now on the list OF
imports, are subjected to maximum
rates.
Some Changes Made.
The third section of the agreement
comprises the draft Of proposed
note embodying changes to be made
in the existing American instructions
to customs and consular officers. These
changes are not limited in their oper-
alton to German imports, but are APP
plicable to imports to America from
other countries. Most important Is
definition of market value as of the
place where the goods are sold wholly
for export; the provision that re-
appraisement hearings shall be open
unless the board of appraisers certify
that the public interests would suffer
thereby. and the requirement. that
American treasury agents. in Ger.
many shall be automatically credited
to the German government and CO.
operate with the German chambers of
commerce, whose certificates of value
shall be competent evidence.
The last section Of the document is
an undertaking by the President to
recommend to Congress the amendment
of Section 80 of the Dingley act so as
to allow ten per cent. margin in the
case OF undervaluations before penalty
shall be imposed upon the importer