The Washington times., 1910-01-22
NATION THREATENED
WITH TARIFF WARS
Maximum Rates Nav Be
Forced on France and
Germany.

That Uncle Sam is in great danger Of
getting tangled up in two tariff wars
of frst-class proportions after March 81
is admitted in Treasury Department cir
cles- They are likely TO be with France
and with Germany More than this. the
coast is not entirely clear 50 far as
this country and Canada are concerned
A few days ago. the announcement
was made that the minimum rates Of
duty would be applied 10 the importa-
tons from Great Britain. italy, Russia,
Switzerland, Spain, and Turkey This
did not mean that other countries would
not get the minimum rates, and as q
matter Of fact prCclamations viii issue
from time 20 time which viii insure the
minimum rates to most foreign cOun-
tries.
The Government is not going out
hunting the maximum rates where il is
not practically compelled to- Ii looks
now as II in a short time the situa-
ton would simmer down TO the point
where the only question IS as to Ger
many, France. and fCanSda-
As 70 Canada, the disposition Of the
Administration is 10 avoid a tariff war
Z this can be avoided II is OF the Ut
cost moment 70 both countries that
here be no tariff struggle. American
capital is invested heavily in Canada.
The trade between the two countries
is growing rapidly 1t bids fair to ex-
2ald Indefinitely. The relations be
tween the two countries are good Il
=c1ld be damaging 10 trade and 10 the
exis' Ing good relations II there were a
Iii war
The chief questions which are now
raised and which may prove obstacles
70 The minimum rates on in0OrtatiOuS
20 this country from Canada are cerE
tain Of the provincial restrictions as 70
wood pulp and the reciprocity treaty
with France II the difficulties as 70
these matters can be Obviated, the
maximum rates VIII not be imposed
against Canada But the trade griev-
anCes Of this country against Germany
and France are more serious than they
are against Canada
Good reason exists TO believe that the
United States is going 10 enforce the
maximum rates against Germany and
France unless IL gets large concessions
from those countries in q trade way.
and can make a bargain with them that
VIII put American goods on about
par with those Of other countries The
indications are strong that the reStrfC-
tons on meats viii have 10 be removed
or materially moderated By both Ger
many and France
II has ali along been considered that
france was more likely 20 give way
before the American demands than Ger
many The reason for this, especially
as 70 meats. is that the asrarian party
Is strong IN Germany and Of great in
ECeDCe with the government
Il Is well known that the reason why
the maximum provisions OF che tariT
measure did not meet more objection in
Congress than they did was thai many
Western members believed that the
maximum provisions opened a way 10
compel 2 wider market for American
meats They you'd object strongly Il
the same restrictions as before were
kept on American meats by Germany
and France and still the maximum rates
were not imposed
What q tariff war with Germany OF
with both Germany and France would
mean may be judged by the fact that
Germany stands the second Of the Euro
pean countries IN its trade with this
country and France third Great Brit
ain, OF course, stands foremost