Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-01-12
With Nearly Half a Bill
lion Of Trade at Stake
Is Imminent Between the United
States and Germany.
Diplomat, Of Both Countries Spar
ring for the Advantage.

Washington, Jan. n.-Nearly half
a billion dollars worth of trade is the
efake in the game of diplomacy now
in progress between America and Ger
MANY and the issue will be known
within a month. On Feb. Z, in accord
ance with the notice given to Germany
last April by the state department the
reciprocity arrangement made under
the terms of the Dingley act with Ger
many will expire, and simultaneously
the general tariff rates Of that cOun-
try will apply to all imports from
America unless in the short period Of
time intervening Secretary Knox and
the German ambassador shall be able
to reach mutually satisfactory un-
Outstanding.
At this moment the indications are
that this understanding is beyond at
tainment and that it will be only un-
der the stress of a bitter and costly
struggle that the two nations can
compose their differences and restore
their trade to normal conditions.
America will not be the only sufferer
from this rupture, for on April next,
the full rigOrs of the maximum tariff
rates carried by the Payne Aldrich
tariff act VII be automatically applied
TO the German import trade which in
1905 aggregated more than $160,O00, 900,
and every article of German produc-
ton coming to America must pay %
per cent. increased duty.
Negotiations have been in progress
for some months between the two gov
ernments 70 avoid this issue but an
Dbut hor hann raachpH in tho de-
rand OF the state department for the
relaxation of the Germany prohibition
against American cattle. The German
government takes the position that
these restrictions founded on veteri-
nary and sanitary regulations en-
DO lied in laws of general application.
cannot be regarded properly as dis
crimnatory against the United States
and that it would be as reasonable to
expect America to repeal or suspend
the pure food law as to require the
German government to disregard Tbs
yrvyisiasss tho ssssAimeal--iaaapSrtafinn
act.
Germany sent to America in 1908
goods valued at over 100, 100000. two
thirds of which were dutiable. On the
other hand America shipped to Ger.
many, our second best customer among
nations, no less than 800, 100000 worth
Of products Many of these will have
to pay increased rates Of duty after
Feb 7, though not all. But in 1908, 90
600, 900 worth of American wheat en-
tered Germany, and wheat must pay
"a penalty of two marks for each 100
exilogrammes this year. which would
probably result in the transfer of all
4 of this trade to Argentina. Canada and
Russia. Corn was shipped to Germany
to the value of 100000 in 1908 and the
Increased duty that will be exacted
on this staple will be three marks per
hundred kilogrammes. practically a
prchibitive rate Ninety million dollars
worth of cotton formed part of the ex-
ports to Germany in the same year
and while this Is at present on the
German free list, it might still be sub
jected to n heavy duty If the German
government should have recourse to
its fighting tariff.
Half a million dollars worth of
American apples and four times that
amount Of dried fruits will have to
CONTINUED on Page Tenn