Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-02-04
TARIFF WAR AVERTED.

Washington, Feb. 3.-Concessions by
both the United States and Germany
have averted threatening tariff war.
NEGOTIATIONS have been concluded be-
tween the two countries which settle
the question of minimum and max
imum rates, except the cattle and
dressed meat issue, which was left
out from the present negotiations and
which will be pursued here after ir
separate diplomatic representation.
The result of the negotiations agreed
today is an exchange of American
minimum rates for the entire and UNI
qualified minimum list of Germany.
The effect is considered just and adj
vanta geous to both countries.
In a statement issued today the state
department says:
by the understanding arrived at
there VIII be no tariff war and no in
terruption of the enormous commerce
passing between the two countries.
In the calendar year just closed the
direct interchange of commodities be-
tween Germany and the United States
exceeded $409,000,000 and allowance
being made for the German import
atoms through other countries, the
actual volume is probably in excess
of 100000. 900.
THE products of the United States
will De assured the fullest opportunity
to participate in the constantly grow
ling business of the German empire
This will be done on a complete equal
ity with the competing products of
other countries.
by the terms of the 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 members. These 10 numbers
covered a large percentage in value OF
the actual imports from the Cnltel,
States. but nevertheless left the many
important commodities of American
manufacture at disadvantage in COM
petition with similar products from.
other countries.
This agreement expires rep. g.
In consequence of the friendly dis
position of both governments an agree
ment has been reached under which II
will be possible for the German gov
eminent with the cooperation of the
imperial Parliament to avoid any IN
terruption of trade and at the same
time to extend to the United States
not only the rates at present enjoyed,
but the entire remaining schedules OF
minimum rates now accorded other
countries.
.''Tha basis of the settlement is that
Germany grants to the 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 same terms as all other
countries to which Germany grants con-
ventional rates under her various com
mercial conventions or most favored ma
ton treaties.
I'm the Presidents opinion the RESPONSE
bilities devolved on him by the Payne
Aldrich act require from all countries !;
grant to the United States of substan-
tally their lowest tariff rates.
..-The volume of business passing direct
" between the two countries is now S4O9.-
600 600 annually. 1t has grown to this
amount from S251 100000 in 1899.
conventional or lowest rates Germany
will be accorded the minimum tarin OF
the United States. This puts Germany II
the position of the most favored nation
in her tariff relations with the unitoc
states The maximum tariff of the Unit
ed States, which as the basic tariff woule
otherwise apply after March 81, Will
therefore. not go into effect, the mini
mum being granted in return for Ger
many's full minimum rates. The result
is to give Germany the same assurance
under the United States tariff law thai
she has secured by her treaties with other
countries.
"A collateral matter relating to the IN
depreciation and application of the pure
food law has also beea explained satls-
factorily."
1t was President Taft's opinion, say;
the statement, that in view OF the thor'
! ough and complete inspection OF PORE
products now made under the united
states inspection law of 1906, the health
fitness of these products is SO fully es
tablished before their expectation that
the results of this inspection should be
accepted in foreign countries In place OF
the microscopic inspection which former
" existed in the United States. No OBJ
lection Is made to microscopic inspection
of their own by foreign countries, but
the insistence of certificates of microscop.
ic inspection from the United States and
failure to recognize the present interstate
inspection was substituted was a bar tc
the admission Of these products into some
of the German ports.
Tue reasonauleness Of this position was