Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-04-25
Reciprocity Agreement Grant
ing Mutual Concessions on
Way to Berlin
FRANCES IRE IS AROUSED
urther Acts of Tariff Hostility Ex-
pected-President is Ready to Re-
,aliate-Aerarans of Germany viii
tight Treaty-An Important Trade
Arrangement.

Washington, April 2o.-SecretaTy
and Count Won Hatzfeldt, charge
affaires of the German embassy,
ed last evening the reciprocity
cement between their respective.
tntries. and the instrument is en-
ute to Berlin for ratification by the
eichstag.
In spite of the reports that there
nave been substantial notifications IN
he agreement as the result Of its con-
sideration by the committee on eco
monies of the reichstag, it may be
stated authoritatively that Its pro-
visions, substantially are as follows
Germany grants to the United States
it's minimum tariff upon all Imports
Germany. agrees to modify the sani-
tary regulations regarding bacon and
dressed meats.
The United States accords to Ger
many the lower duties authorized by
section 8 of the Dingley tariff law OF
1897.
The United States consents to the
notifications of the regulations in re-
gard to valuation, methods of apprais-
al, etc. as far as consistent with the
provisions of the law.
The state department Is keeping the
text of the agreement secret, rearing
It's publication at this time might ne
useful TO the agrarian interests OIL
Germany in their fight against the
ratification OF the instrument. The
meat concession especially is obnoxious
, to these interests. as 1t marks the END
of their movement to keep foreign
meats out of Germany and compel the
people to depend solely upon the home
supply.
The recent elections, showing the
strength of the monarchy, increased the
determination of the emperor to disre-
gafd the agragarian policy. which for
years he found it polite to approve
ana to heed the cry of the people Tor
cheaper meats. The emperor Is entire-
ly willing to remove the prohibitlon
upon all American meats, but he is re-
tanning something with which to trade,
and he will grant the concession pro-
yided the United States will enter into
real reciprocity treaty with his gov
eminent
BY section Of the Dingley tariff the
president ~e1n6ee1D1lstGith out ,peos
sefshce Is Congress. to make an agree
ment lowering the duties on certain
PARTICLES when he is satisfied that con-
DECISIONS given by another country JUS
Fifty such action. But the list of these
PARTICLES is limited to argols, crude tar
Itar, wine lees, brandies, and other grain
spirits, still wines and vermuth. cham
| payne and sparkling wines, paintings,
Ipastels. pen and ink drawings, and
statuary.
= "A treaty of reciprocity. OF course,
would cover a much wider range, but
| it would have to be submitted to the
senate for ratification and congress as
a whole for Incorporation into law.
| AS soon as he is notified that the
reichstag has approved the agreement
President Roosevelt will issue a proc
lamation to put it into force. Later
Secretary Root will negotiate treaty
of reciprocity with Germany, believing
that it will be acted upon favorably by
congress, especially in view of the
growing sentiment thruout the country
for revision of the tariff.
The signature of the treaty is ex-
pected to arouse France to further acts
of tariff hostility. She has Cancelled
| the privilege granted to Porto Rico,
], under which the coffee of that island
enjoyed the benefit of the minimum
tariff, and she can close her doors to
other imports from that island by the
simple expedient of applying the max
imum tariff.
\ Porto Rico and Algeria were given
the benefit of the agreement of 1898
between the United States and France
by an agreement signed in 1902. 1t is
possible this agreement may be termi-
mated. but if it is, then the president
promptly will withdraw the customs
advantages France enjoys under sec
ton Of the tariff act.
France continues to maintain an in
dignant attitude because of the action
| of this government in including cham
payne and sparkling wines in the list
| of articles to be subject to lower du-
Germany, insisting that the effect will
| pc 10 ruin lHlS part OF uef American
| trade.
The president realizes this possibility
but he has had brought to his sltten-
ton recently the disposition OH the
part of the French government to Inn
1 pose hardships upon our commerce
For instance. there are pending in the
French parliament amendments to the
tariff law increasing the duties or
boots and shoes and other articles
which originate to large extent in
America. Ordinarily the United States
would not interfere with the tariff leg
islation of another state. That is pc
/ culiarly a domestic matter, and this
government always has resented sucf
interference by foreign powers. But il
case Of France specific authority was
given the United States to show it.
displeasure at any increase of duty.
The agreement of 1898 declares it t.
be expressly understood that reduced
charges on still wines and vermutf
"may be withdrawn in the discretion
of the president of the United State:
4 whenever the additional duties beyont
those now existing, and which may b.
deemed by him unjust to the commeret
of the United States, shall be imposed
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