The Washington times., 1907-12-03
America Should Exhibit
At Japanese Exposition

An invitation has been extended
by Japan to the Government and
the people Of the United States to
participate In a great national ex-
position to be SeId at Tokyo from
April ] TO October 81, 1912, and In
which the PRINCIPAL countries Of the
world are to be invited to take part.
This is - occasion Of special inter-
est to all the natiOEs Of the world,
and peculiarly SC to as; for 1t Is the
first instance in which such a great
national exposition has been held
by a great power dwelling on the
Pacific; and all the nations OF
Europe and America viii, trust,
iOln in helping to success this first
great exposition ever held by
great nation OF Asia.
The geographical relations Of Japan
and the United States as the pOSsesscrs
Of such large portions OF the coasts OF
the Pacific, the intimate trade relauohs
already existing between the two coun-
tries. the warm friendship which has
been maintained between them withou-
break since the opening OF Japan 10
intercourse with the western nauonS,
and her increasing wealth and prouuc-
ton. which we regard with hearty
goodwiH and wish to make the occu-
sion OF mutually beneficial commerce,
al unite in making IT eminently deSlr-
able that this invitation should be dc-
cepted.
i heartily recommend such legislation
as VIII provide IN generous fashion Tor
the representation Of this Government
and its people in the proposed eXposl-
ton. Action should be taken now We
are apt to underestimate the time neces-
sary for preparation in such cases. The
invitation 10 the French Exposition OF
1900 was brought TO the attention Of the
Congress by President Cleveland IN De-
ceu,ber, 1876; and so many are the de-
LAYS necessary to such proceedings that
the period or four years and a half
which then intervenCG before the eN-
position proved none tCo long for the
proper preparation of the exhibits.
German Trade Agreement.
Tie adoption Of a new tarin by Ger
many, accompanied by conventions for
reciprocal tariff concessions between
that country and most OF the other
countries Cf continental Europe. led the
German government 10 give the notice
necessary to terminate the reciprocal
commercial agreement with this couB-
try proclaimed July 13, 1900 The notice
was TO take effect on the list OF March.
1866 and in default of some other ar
rangements this would have left the sx-
ports from the United States TO Ger
many subject to the general German
tariff duties, from % TO 90 per cent
higher than the conventional duties i'm
posed upon the goods OF most Of our
competitors for German trade.
Under a special agreena@nt made be-
tween the two governments IL Feb
ruary, 1906, the German government
postponed the operation of their notice
until the 30th OF June. 1901. In the mean
time, deenllng II to be my duty to
make every possible effort TO prevent a
tariff war between the United States
and Germany arising from misunder-
standing by either country Of the condi-
tons existing IN the other, and acting
upon the Invitation OF the German gov
eminent, ] sent to Berlin a commits
sion composed of competent experts
in the operation and administration OF
the customs tariff. from the Depart
ments OF the Treasury and Commerce
and Labor
This commission was engaged for sew
eral months in conference with a SINH
lar commission appointed by the Ger
man government, under Instructions, so
far as practicable, TO rach a common
understanding as to all the facts re-
gap1ing the tariffs Of the United States
and Germany material and revelant to
the trade relations between the rvvo
countries. The commission reported
further temporary commercial agree
ment was entered into by the two eot1n-
tries, pursuant TO which, IN the ex-