The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-01-08

satisfied that the conditions which led
10 the issuance OF tho proclamation
hereinbcforc authorized no longer exist
ne shail issue proclamation to this
erect. and ninety days thereafter the
provisions OF the maximum tariff shall
be applied TO the Importation OF arti-
clcs from such country"
The American committee claims that
the conditions which led TO the issu-
ance OF the proclamation granting the
minimum tariff to Germany no longer
exist; that Germany knew that the pen
atty tax OF the potash law would fail
exclusively on American citizens. for
she mad their contracts in her possess
sion and knew that the independent
mines were allowed no free quotas
under the law. Germany had, more
over. Withdrawn Il bill OF similar char
acter, against the passage OF which the
United States government had protest
cd. Germany. therefore, deliberately
changed the conditions under which
she secured the minimum tariff OF the
United States. and with the full knowl-
edge that the change would unduly dis
eliminate against American citizcns"
Legal Opinions Quoted.
Legal opinions are quoted by the
committee in detail from John G. John
son, of Philadelphia. fully supporting
the American contention; from John s
Held. Whiteside & Lamson. OF Boston,
and other well-known firms and at
torncys.
The committees statement directly
refutcs the claim OF the German Kali
Syndikat" that this law does not aim
10 restrict the production OF potash.
but. on the contrary, expressly seeks to
increase IT." German mining experts
arc quoted to show that the kali de-
posts arc practically ineNhaustiblc;
that tho present borings have "a capac-
ity OF three times the worlds consump-
ton. and the German contention that
tho American buyers had agreed TO pay
any government charge" is character
lied as absolutely without foundation
in fact" II Is stated that the American
interests affected By the German pot
ash law are enormous, involving at
least S50o.o00.O00 of capital invested in
the manufacture OF fertilizers, OK
plosives and chemicals, the livelihood of
millions OF farmers, and not less than
l0,000,0G0 acres of cotton, grain, hay.
potatoes, tobacco. fruit and other crops.
REDRESS Is Demanded.
In closing its statement the com
nitece says;
Since Germany has deliberately
passed law for the express purpose
OF invalidatinS contracts obtained by
American citizens in the ordinary
emphatic protests of the United
States government, and after which
Germany had once withdrawn such
proposed legislation, and thereafter
had obtained the American minimum
tariff. how can this government do
otherwise than apply the maximum
tariff to German imports in accord
ance with the second section OF the
Payne Aldrich act of 1909?
Our Department Of State has in
sisted upon the recognition of the
sanctity OF these contracts, and has
persistcntly maintained that having
been entered into in good faith by all
parties. they should not be invalidated,
nor in any way impaired by law
passed months after the contracts
were signed.
-'Ambassador Hill and Mr.. Davis
have personally explained to the min
listers of Germany those provisions of
the Payne Aldrich act which are ap-
pic,Lble to the potash controversy, and
have diligently cndeavored to bring
about a friendly settlement. Great
troversy throughout Europe and
America. and the result is awaited
with keen interest.
Government Must Act.
Finally decision must soon be
reached and n responsibility assumed if
Germany remains inflexiblc. Either
the United States must apply the.
maximum tariff to Germany in ac-'
cordance with those provisions OF the
Payne Aldrich act which were OK
prcssly designed by Congress to pro-
tect American citizens against unjust
treatment by foreign governments. or
she must Ignore tile Payne Aldrich
act and abandon her protests against
the inyalidntion Of the American con-
ira Of hv n oh
may risk n tariff war: in the other
national humiliation in the eyes of the
world