New-York tribune., 1910-02-04
AGREE ON TARIFF
WITH GERMANY
NJNTNUM RATES TO
BE EXCHANGED.
NEGOTIATIONS Betreen " ash
ineton and Berlin Concluded
-Erpect Great Benefits.
rFrom The Tribune Bur.au-I

From The Tribune Bureau
Washington, Feb. 3--An agreement
was reached to-day in the tariff negotla-
tions with the German government oy
which the United States will receive tns
full conventional rates on exports 70
Germany and Germany will receive the
minimum rates allowed under the
Payne-AIdrich tariff law Not only mas
the threatened tariff war been averted
bv this aYnica BILE arrangement. which 10
practically the mutual exchange OF min
in1u-n rates, but there Is every prospect
that the trade between the two coun-
tries, which amounted 10 S409. .261.751 IN
1909, will increase TO a marked extent TO
the advantage of both. under the new ar
rangement.
AS first outlined in these dispatches on
January -, the agreement was reached
only after the United States agreed 70
waive the live Cettie question, with the
understanding that this, with the aues-
ton of drawbacks on -four. could be
taken 11p later through diplomatic chan
nels If desired These are 10 be con-
siderei apart from the tariff With these
obstacles out Of the way, the German
government gave it's assurance that the
United States would be given the mi L
imum rate in exchange for the min
fmun. 1t is expected that the necessary
action will be taken by the Reichstag on
Saturday
ANNOUNCED BY MR. KNOX.
The details of the final agreement ar.
given in the following statement issued
at the State Department tonight:
A satisfactory settlement of the tariff
negotiations with Germany, which havs
been going for some months under
the Presidents direction, has been
at there will be no tariff war and no
Interruption of the enormous con1n1ercs
passing between the two countries
The magnitude OF this business ap-
calendar year just closed the direct in
terchange of commodities between Ger
many and the United States exceeded
$409, LOCO, and allowance being made
for the German inportations throug-
other countries the actual volume -
probably in excess OF 100000, 900.
The products of the United States will
be assured the fullest opportunity 10
participate in the constantly growing
business of the German Empire. This
will be done on a complete equality with
the competing products OF other cour-
tries.
By the terms Of the commercial agree
ment which has been in force since 19N1.
Germany extanded 10 the United States
her conventional or lowest rates On sbour
one hundred OUT Of nearly one Thousand
tariff numbers. These one hundred NUM-
bers covered large percentage in value
Of the actual imports from the United
States but nevertheless left many i'm
portant commodities of American manu-
facture at a disadvantage in competition
with similar products from other COUn
tries.
This agreement expires on February Z
II was the earnest desire of the German
government to reach a solution of the
questions at issue so that the necessary
legislation might be enacted TO prevent
any disturbance of existing commercial
relations The President fully recipro-
Gated this sentiment
In consequence of the friendly dispo-
sitiOn of both governments. an agree
ment has been reached under which II
will be possible for the German govern
nent with the cooperation of the i'm
perial parliament TO avoid any interrup-
tiOn of trade. and at the same time 10
extend to the United States not only the
rates at present enjoyed. but the entire
remaining schedules of minimum rates
now accorded other countries.
The basis of the settlement IS that
Germany grants TO the United States
her full conventional tariff rates in
turn for the minimum tariff Of tive
minimum for minimum. IL places The
United States exactly the same terms
as all other countries to which German
grants conventional rates under her va
rious commercial conventions or most
favored nation treaties.
In the Presidents opinion. the respon-
sibilities deVolVed him by che PaYrs-
AldrIch act require from all countries =
grant TO the United States OF substan
tally their lowest tariff rates. IL IS =
source of much qualification TO the Presl-
dent that Germany finds it possible TO
extend TO the United States her com
plete minimum schedules without res
erVation or qualification.
The volume OF business passing di-
rectly between the two countries is now
S4o9, 100000 annually. IL has grown II
this amount from sol 100000 in 1900
GERMANY Is FRIENDLY.
The statement goes on 20 say that the
solution reached was in a large measurs
due to the friendly and concilistory
spirit of the German government Both
sides recognized that while in the vari-
ETY. and complexity of modern COM
Tnercial conditions, some points Of diverx-
ence between two great commercial na-
lions would be encountered. their nat
ure was not such as to preclude an
agreement which would be beneficial In
the mutual markets. 1t continues:
In return for the concession OF. her fuIf
conventional or lowest rates. Germany
will be accorded the minimum tariff OF
the United States. This puts GERMANY
in the position of the most favored ma
ton in her tariff relations with tha
United States. The maximum tariff 81
the United States. which, as the basic
tariff would otherwise apply after
March 81, WILL therefore not go into
effect the minimum being granted in re-
turn for Germany's full minimum rates
The result Is TO give TO Germany tire
same assurance under the United states
tariff law that she has secured by her
treaties with other countries
In reaching q settlement some cues
tions which had arisen regarding the sd-
n1inistrative features of the Payne-Ald-
rich law and some misconceptions as to
a possible unfavorable treatment 81 Ger
man imports into the United states havs
been dispeued 10 the satisfaction OF the
German government y collateral mat
ter relating TO the Interpretation and
application of the pure food law has
also been explained satisfactorily
THE MEAT QUESTION
IL was Presidents Taft's opinion saws
the statement. that in view of the thor
ough and complete inspection Of pork
prOduc+s now made under Ibs United