Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-02-03
OPEN GERMAN DOOR
General Tariffs Will Not Apply
to American Goods.
BILL IN THE REICHSTAG
Sanctioned by Federal Council and
Expected to Pass.
RESULT OF NEGOTIATIONS
To Remain in Force Under the
!; Reciprocal Provisions of the
Payne Bill.

BERLIN. February 3.-It was officially
tions had made such progress that bill
for the regulation of trade relations be-
tween Germany and the United States
had been passed already by the federal
reichstag this afternoon
Assuming that the measure sanctioned
by the council will be adopted by the
legislative body. it may be regarded as
certain that Germanys general tariff will
not be applied to American imports after
February & as would have been the case
had the diplomatic exchanges failed.
Contains Few Words.
The measure for the ratification of the
German American tariff agreement was
laid before the reichstag this afternoon.
1t is very brief, containing no details.
and does not state the scope of the con-
cessions which Germany makes. The
principal paragraph reads:
The bundesrath is authorized to admit
to a reasonable and proportionate extent
the imports of the products Of the United
States to German customs territory at the
tariff rates of the existing commercial
treaties This authorization will remain
in force so long as the United States does
not subject the products of the German
empire and those countries and territories
united with it in customs relations 10
higher duties than are contained in sec
tion / of the American tariff law of Au-'
gust ). 1869
Conditions of Withdrawal.
The bill further sets forth the condl
tions under which the bundegrath may
wholly or in part withdraw from the
United States the advantages accorded TO
American =LroAucts- The first condition
is in the event the United States minister
and its custom regulations should fail To
treat German goods in accordance with
the principles contained in the note TO
article two Of the tariff agreement o.
ditions would arise il the United States.
through legislation adopted or by treaties
with third country or otherwise, should
introduce changes affecting the exchange
the United States to the disadvantage of
Germany.
Negotiations Not Ended.
The report OF the committee accom-
panying the tariff bill states that neso-
tiations are still in progress in reference
to the German-America tariff agree
ment, but it seemed best to empower the
bundesrath, as stated since this would
make it possible to continue giving to
the United States the existing rates after
February {, and then in subsequent ne
gotiations to concede SO much of the Ger
man conventional tariff as might be nee
essary to reach an agreement. The re-
port mentions three demands made by
the United States.
The first is for the entire conventional
tariff or reasonable compensations there
for by specific reductions below the treaty
rates.
The second demand is for the admission
of American pork to Germany after an
official examination for the detection ol
trichinae in Germany, and without re-
during an American trichinae certificate
Lastly, the United States demands the
admission of American cattle for lmme-
diate slaughter.
The German government declared that
it was not able to discuss the second and
third points within the limitations of the
tariff negotiations. The report also points
out that the United States prohibits the
importation of German live cattle
Proof of Friendliness.
The imperial government. proof of
it's friendly disposition toward the United
States government, promises TO Try 10 ar
range the trichinae matter in conform
ty with the American wishes if the
Washington authorities desire to abolish
the trichinae certificate. but Germany is
not able TO promise either to offer COM
promise or to open negotiations respecting
the admission of cattle.
The various parties OF the reichstag
will caucus the bill tomorrow. 1t is
proba BILE that the first and second read
ings will be had before the full member
ship on Saturday.
The Tageblatt, referring TO the agree
ment today, says that the United States
went long way toward meeting Ger
manys wishes, and in number of points
Germany is remarkably favored in the
outcome of the negotiations.