Evening star., 1921-04-25
GERMANY HOLDING
TARIFF AS THREAT
American Pork Trade May Be
Ruined if U. S. Keeps
AIoof of Reparations.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

America hand may be forced DN
Germany in the controversy over
reparations. While the United States
is reluctant to participate directly in
the settlement of the reparation ques-
ton. word has reached the govern
ment here that the Germans are plan
ming a prohibitive tariff on American
pork products. Should the contem-
plated action be taken. the export
trade in fats would be ruined and the
Germans would be able to sell their
vegetable oils at an advantage.
The feeling here is that the United
States ought to have something to say
over the question of German tarlH s.
The reparations commission set up
by the Versailles treaty was to have
complete power over the regulation
of incoming and outgoing commerce.
On that commission America was to
have a member.
President Wilson asked the Senate to
permit him to name an American COM
missioner, but the Senate foreign re-
lations committee declined. The treaty
fight was at its bitterest stage then
and Mr.. Wilson never renewed the
request.
Situation Has Changed.
The situation has changed material
iy, however, and evidence accumulateS
showing that unless the United States
promptly exercises an influence in the
reparation controversy, American trade
may find itself under handicaps much
the same as are now exciting the eX-
porters Of pork products.
The Harding administration has late
ly been moved to take a more active
part in the allied councils because of
these very tariff complications. and the
recent decision to attend all confer
hn 70 lUnS
of the United States are unofficial OBJ
servers. is entirely due to the trade
situation.
Some members of the administrat tion
cannot see how the United States can
avoid entangling herself in the repara-
unwilling to beg the allies for conces-
sions, but are anxious to negotiate
through America as a third party.
How much this is due to the in
f1uence of American business men
abroad who are friendly to German
interests because of prospective
trade. and how much it is due to
German pride. il not yet clear. but
the Washington authorities feel that
the task of mediation is inescapable.
When the Germans wanted to end
the war they appealed to the United
States for an armistice. There is a
vast difference between acting as
umplTe-"nlCn MT ddTQlNS OcCiineO
to do-and acting as a medium of
transmission for the reopening of
negotiations.
DispOsitfOn Here to Aid.
The disposition here is to do every
thing possible to help the allies get
together with Germany. but not much
hope is held out that anything can
be accomplished until after May l..
when the French ultimatum will ex-
pire and more drastic measures are
planned to enforce German obedience.
This is, therefore, the critical week.
The cables between Berlin and Wash
ington are just as busy as il the
United States and Germany were at
peace and aS If diplomatic relations
had been resumed. The United States
commissioner at Berlin, Mr. Dresel, is
just as much an ambassador and is
occupying as important position as
any full accredited envoy abroad.
The American government is in con-
stant consultation with the allies
and recognizes moreover, that the
slightest leaning toward the German
side Of the controversy will be ex-
aggerated abroad and produce COM
plications making it even more diff
cult for the allied demands to be
granted.
PrOposal to Tell Story.
ever. will in itself tell the story of
the future. If the offer proves to be
half way acceptable and a sufficient
basis for parleying. negotiations will
be resumed, but French opinion seems
to be strongly against any compro-
mise.
The French believe that Germany
must come the whole distance or else
there will be another futile exchange
of notes and tricky refusals.
The British are ready to do busi-
ness with the Germans on a compro-
mise basis. II America were engaged
in the parley. the influence of Ameri-
can business men anxious for German
markets would probably be alongside
the British merchants. and a compro-
mise scheme might be worked out.
But the French are hoping the United
States will keep hands off. They are
not altogether pleased at the as
sumption by the United States of the
job Of mediation. even though under
international practice it is customary
for nations to exercise their good Of
fees.
Copyright. 1921