The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-02-04
TARIFF WAR WITH
GERMANY AvERTED
AmicabIe Settlement Reached Of
All Questions in Dispute,
Save Livestock.
MINIMUM FOR MINIMUM.
Is BASIS OF AGREEMENT
Both Countries View Under
standing as advantageous to
Their Commercial Welfare.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 3.-toncessions
by both the United States and Germany
have averted threatened tariff war.
Negotiations have been concluded be-
tween the two countries which settle
tbe question of minimum aud maximum
rates, With thc exception of the cattle
and dressed meat issue. This was elm
mated from the present negotiations
and will be taken up later in separate
diplomatic representations.
Under thc agreement made today.
American minimum rates will be ex-
changed for the entire minimum list
of Germany. The result is considered
advantageous TO both countries' Ine
state department today issued stdle-
ment, in part as follows:
''By the understanding arrived. AT,
there will be no tariff war aud no m
terruption of the enormous commerce
passing between the two countries, Inc
magnitude OF this business appears from
the statement that in the calendar year
Just closed the direct. interchange or
commodities between Germany and the
United States exceeded $409 100000,
and. allowances being made for German
importations through other countries,
the actnal volume Is probably in excess
Of $500. 100000.
American Goods in Germany.
ssProducts of the United States will
he assured tho fullest opportunity to
participate in the constantly growing
business nf the German empire: THIS
will be done on n complete equality with
the competing products of other coun-
tries. I,
".By the terms of tho commercial
agreement which has been In force
since 1907, Germany extended to the
United States her conventional or low
est rates on about 100 out of nearly
1000 tariff uumbers. These 100 num-
bers covered large percentage In value
of the actual imports from the United
States. but. nevertheless, left many I'M
portaut commodities of American man
ufacture at disadvantage IN competl-
ton with similar products from other
countries.
'sThis agreement expires February
II It was the earnest desire of the
German government to reach solu'
tiop of .the questions at issue so that
the necessary legislation ungbt be en-
acted to prevent any disturbance OF eX
istinc commercial relations, The presi-
dnpt fully reciprocated this sentiment.
No Interruption to Trade.
uIn consequence of the friendly dis
position OF both governments. an
agreement has been reached under
which it. will be possible for the Ger
man government, with the cooperation
of thc imperial parliament, TO avoid any
interruption of trade and at the same
time 10 extend 10 the United States.
not only the rates AT present enjoyed,
but the entire remaining schedules or
minimum rates now accorded other
countries.
'VThe basis of settlement is that
Germany grants TO tho United states
her full conventional tariff rates IN
return for the minimum tariff of the
United States. This is an exchange OF
minimum for minimum. 1t places the
United States on exactly the saline
terms as all othcr countries to which
Germany grants conventional rates up~
der her various commercial conventions
or most favored nations treaties.
'fIn the president s opinion, reSpou-
sibilities devolyed upon him by the
PAYNE. .Aldricb act require him TO de-
mand an agreement from all countries
TO grant to the United States substan-
italy their lowest tariff rates,
"It is a source of mach gratifca"
tion 10 the president that Germany
finds ii possible 10 extend TO the United
States her complete minimum Sehed-
lIrS WlIDOuI EtSNl diioii VI Iee'i4 AANA
ton
In Conciliatory Spirit.
The statement SAYS the solution was
largely due to the conc'llatory, spirit
of the German government. Both sides
recognized thar, wbilc some points Of
divergence between the two nations
would be encountered. their nature was
not such as TO preclude au agreement
that would he beneficial In mutual mar
kets
ssIu return for the concession of her
full conventional or lowest rates. Ger
many will be accorded the minimum
tarifl of the United Statcs.'' tho state
ment continues, '"This puts Germany
in the position of the most favored ma
tion in her tariff relations with the
limited States The maximum tariff of
the United States, which, as the basic
tariff. would otherwise apply after
March 81. will. therefore, not GO into
effect, the minimum being. granted i'll
return for Gcrmany's full minimum
rates. The result is. to give TO Ger
many the same assurance under the
United States tariff law TINT she has
secured by her treaties with other coun.
tries.
All satisf actorily Explained
.'In reaching settlement some ques'
tions which had arisen regarding the
administrative features of the Payne
Aldrich law and some misconceptions as
10 n possible unfavorahie treatment OF
German imports into tue United states
have been dispelled 70 the satisfaction
of the German government. A coll
lateral matter relating 10 the inter
probation and application of the pure
food law also has been explained salts.
factorily.D
IT was President Taft s opinion. says