Imagini ale paginilor
PDF
ePub

of a man who served in the Austrian army five years is entitled to a pension or other gratuity, and, if so, what steps she must take to secure it, I have the honor most respectfully to inclose herewith a copy of a letter from the Imperial and Royal ministry of war to Capt. Floyd W. Harris, the United States military attaché at Vienna, in reply to a request made by the latter for the desired information in regard to this matter.

I further beg to say that I referred this case to Captain Harris instead of sending it through the foreign office, in order to expedite the obtaining of a reply. ROBERT S. MCCORMICK.

I have, etc.,

[Inclosure.]

Mr. Benkiser to Mr. Harris.

IMPERIAL AND ROYAL MINISTRY OF WAR,
SECTION 9, No. 2896,
Vienna, April 14, 1902.

SIR: In reply to your esteemed inquiry of March 28, 1902, the Imperial minister of war has the honor to inform you that, as a general rule, a widow of a soldier is entitled to a pension in that case only in which her husband has acquired for himself a legal claim to a pension.

Since this is not the case in the present instance, on account of the short length of service of the husband, the widow has no right to the granting of a pension. See the Austrian act of April 27, 1887 (Article XX, Hungarian Statutes, 1887), concerning the provisions for widows and orphans of officers and soldiers.

For the Imperial minister of war:

BENKISER, G. M.

POLITICAL, SOCIAL, AND COMMERCIAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND AUSTRIA-HUNGARY.

Mr. McCormick to Mr. Hay.

UNITED STATES LEGATION,
Vienna, April 1, 1902.

SIR: Finding that the inclosed communication of the Neue Wiener Tagblatt from a correspondent in New York had escaped the attention of the consul-general here, I have the honor to transmit it herewith for · the information of the Department, believing that it contains sufficient matter of interest, especially as it pertains to the method of the customs officials in New York in applying and interpreting the tariff laws. It is important that the consular officers in the United States should lose no opportunity to counteract the effect of such statements as are made in this article and contradict them when not in accordance with the fact.

I have, etc.,

ROBERT S. MCCORMICK.

[Inclosure.-Translation.]

AUSTRIA-HUNGARY AND THE UNITED STATES-NEW YORK, MIDDLE OF MARCH.

It would not be surprising if the voyage of Prince Henry were to benefit likewise the relations existing between Austria-Hungary and America. The German-speaking Austrian is here without distinction, put in one pot with the subjects of the German

Empire, and to make this distinction is not a matter which concerns the Americans in general. While the Prince was here, one could frequently see the American eagle side by side with the Austrian double-headed eagle, and your warship, which it is said will soon pay us a visit, will dispel many errors and teach the know-nothings the political difference existing between the two great German-speaking nations. The fault of this is greatly due to the amicable relations existing between Germans and Austrians, who are members without distinction of one and the same clubs, associations, and singing societies, cultivating the art of song which forms a strong tie between the native Americans and the immigrant Germans. The Germans who wish sincerely to live in friendship with the Austrians will certainly not object if the latter profit by the favorable combinations of the present hour. Whether the raising of the legation in Washington to an embassy will promote this end is somewhat doubted. Emigration from Germany to the United States has of late years decreased, thanks to the improved economic and industrial conditions, and there is no ground to believe that the number of emigrants will increase again. A vast contingent of emigrants, however, is still supplied by the Slavish districts of Hungary, and Pittsburg abounds with Slavs who there seek employment in the great steel works. The German-Austrians who come here through business or family relations soon become Americanized. The temptation held out is too great. Personal energy, which can not develop itself at home, soon develops here, success follows, and with it love of the adopted country, which is lacking, however, in the feeling which the old country inspired. And if once the bands of hymen twist themselves around the budding millionaire, then he and his offspring are forever the prey of the New World. An example of this is Mr. Charles Schwab, the clever director of the great steel trust, whom you recently had in Vienna.

Unfortunately, Austria, like all other European countries, suffers under the cruel tariff laws of the United States. It is not so much the height of the tariff rates of which European industries complain, as the provoking indiscrimination of the customs officials. To be prepared for the payment of high duties and to make one's calculations accordingly is no difficult matter. Wages in Austria are low, the American is accustomed to pay high prices, and Austrian manufacturers might work profitably even when paying high rates of duty. But it is the uncertainty which makes the manufacturer and the agent shrink back. With incredible disregard for the rights and interests of those concerned are the tariff laws construed by the customs authorities, to-day this way, to-morrow that way; to-day it classes merchandise under one heading, to-morrow under another heading; imposes fines and acts as if bound by no law. It has happened that competing American trusts have sent spies to Austria who transmitted false reports to their firms touching the cost of production of their goods.

On the strength of such reports the American customs officials suddenly declare that an undervaluation of the merchandise has been perpetual and subject the goods to fines and payment of higher rates of duty, protest against which, according to the incredible provisions of the law, is inadmissible, and redress can be obtained only by appeal to the collector of customs of the port, which is illusory.

Reductions of customs rates of duty can scarcely be expected because the State has need of the revenue derived from this source, but a more uniform and less arbitrary treatment must be demanded by way of diplomatic intervention.

No one doubts but that Austrian industry has a future in America. Its furniture, for instance, has many admirers, the so-called Vienna secession style, which had such a success at the late Paris Exhibition, has the sympathy of many Americans; its elegant, pleasing, and delicate forms will accommodate themselves easily to the modern American apartment house, and its English style will be sure to please at once. Vienna articles, such as fancy goods, bronzes, and terra-cotta ware, would certainly meet with favorable reception.

There is only this to be feared-that these articles, being carefully finished, will be too expensive for the great bazaars of Sixth avenue, which supply half of New York, and not sufficiently refined for the luxury of Fifth avenue. The cheapness of the German manufactories and the taste of the Parisian workshops naturally contract the Vienna ateliers within narrow limits. America is trying to create new industries and to manufacture all those articles herself which lack of skilled hands or want of raw material seemed to have denied her. It produces already excellent glassware for the table of the workman and for the drawing room. It is content to-day to import raw hides and manufactures them already into elegant and durable gloves. That in many cases (for instance beet-root sugar) Germans are the instructors is certainly a matter flattering to our national pride, just as the gradual decrease of the European export in the two last-named articles is humiliating to that of Austria. Many Austrian goods bear foreign names-cloth from Brünn is called French; numerous other

articles, sent down the river Elbe by reason of cheaper freight rates and shipped by way of Hamburg, pass off as German goods, and the Austrian export to America is perhaps considerably larger than the official statistics show. One should think that America, with its wealthy population not averse to a good glass of spirits, would be a splendid market for the excellent Austrian and Hungarian wines, the more so as the domestic article grown in California and Ohio can hardly be said to be a fair substitute. The manner of adulterating wine, and producing it by chemical processess, has increased rapidly. Wines are passed off in America as Tokayer and Burgundy which never grew on European soil, and it almost seems as if that which we cherish most and constitutes one of the characteristics of its genuineness, namely, the peculiar flavor of the soil on which it has grown, renders it disagreeable to the taste of an American to whom the terrapin, with its taste resembling shoe leather, is a delicacy, and who therefore prefers a chemical preparation composed of vile substances. I hope Austria will not let pass the opportunity which offers itself in the impending exhibition at St. Louis in order to enlighten America as to the value of its products. Nor will it be inopportune for Austrian manufacturers to take into consideration certain peculiarities and demands of trans-Atlantic agents and merchants and the American public at large. The latter rely upon the greater facilities of the manufacturer insuring a prompt supply of the goods ordered. Waiting is not to its liking. One needs here either cheap things by the dozen or very costly articles of the first class. Articles possessing a certain air of artistic workmanship, such as the Vienna mechanic likes to give even to articles of everyday use, are not appreciated here. Esthetics is a different science here in the New World from what it is in Europe. It springs from the adaptability of an article to its use, from well-porportioned plainness, and rejects the purely ornamental. With the Vienna baroque style you can make no headway here. The desire to replace immediately parts lost or injured render necessary the production of a certain number of standard patterns or forms as perfect as possible, the parts of which can easily be exchanged, replaced, and are everywhere obtainable. This apparent simplicity, however, renders necessary trials, experiments, and the making of models to an extent unknown in Europe, where enterprise and capital are frequently lacking. Millions are spent in America for making studies to produce a special machine before a single specimen is placed on the market, while the German manufacturer demands the new pattern ready for use and continues to work with an old imperfect machine, when more perfect machinery has been for some time already in the possession of his competitor. The American also divorces manufacturing from the distribution of the product, and the Germans were farsighted enough to adopt the same principle. The manufacturing and export of goods should be things as distinct from each other as framing laws and administering laws. The more pronounced the distinction between the banker, the manufac turer, and the merchant, the easier will be the development of each. The American is surprised to find that this maxim is so little known in Austria, and believes that the manufacturer would do better by sharing the profits from his products with the merchant, whose care it will be to look to the increase of the export, and looks upon this practice as the first condition for the increase of Austrian export to the United States.

PROTECTION OF CUBAN INTERESTS BY UNITED STATES CONSU

LAR OFFICIALS.

Mr. McCormick to Mr. Hay.

[Telegram-Paraphrase.]

LEGATION OF THE UNITED STATES,
Vienna, June 28, 1902.

(Mr. McCormick reports that the request of the President of Cuba that United States consuls be permitted to extend protection to Cuban citizens and interests, conveyed in Department's telegram of May 24, has been granted by Government of Austria-Hungary.)

« Printed, page 6.

a

ADMISSION INTO AUSTRIA-HUNGARY OF PROPRIETARY PREPARATIONS OF AMERICAN MANUFACTURE.

No. 57.]

Mr. Hill to Mr. McCormick.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

Washington, July 28, 1902.

SIR: The Sterling Remedy Company, of Kramer, Ind., as will appear from inclosed copies of communications from that company and their agent at Vienna, Mr. Kris, allege and complain as follows:

That their trade-mark "Cascarets" has been registered in Austria and Hungary, and that they have made formal and due application through their said agent to obtain the necessary permit for importing "Cascarets" into Austria and Hungary, but that such permit is withheld upon the ground that the importation of American specialties for medicinal purposes to be sold in packages at retail is forbidden, the regulation of the ministry of the interior, dated December 17, 1894, (R. G. Bl. No. 239,) restricting the granting of such permits to cases in which those specialties have been prepared in accordance with the pharmacopoeias of European states.

You are instructed to present this case to the Imperial Government, requesting an investigation and the ultimate abandonment of a course which appears to discriminate unjustly against an American export and to be inconsistent with the most-favored-nation provisions of the treaty of commerce and navigation concluded August 27, 1829, between the United States and Austria-Hungary.

In preparing this case for presentation you will avail yourself of so much of the material furnished in the inclosures as you may find appropriate for the purpose, and you may, in your discretion, consult with Mr. Kris, the company's agent, in respect to the matter.

I am, etc.,

[Inclosure.]

DAVID J. HILL,
Acting Secretary.

Sterling Remedy Company to Hon. C. B. Landis, M. C.

KRAMER, IND., July 1, 1902.

SIR: In developing our foreign business we have encountered a difficulty in Austria and Hungary which seems to look like a direct discrimination against the United States. We have been negotiating for nearly a year with Mr. Kris, the manager of the Alte K. K. Feldapotheke, the best-known drug house in Vienna, with reference to introducing our goods in that Empire. The first suggestion to enter the territory referred to came from the other side. We have made efforts to meet every requirement and condition affecting the importation of our goods into those countries. Our application for registering the trade-mark "Cascarets" in Austria and Hungary was filed first of all, and such trade-marks have been registered there.

We also prepared a formula showing contents of "Cascarets," properly sworn to and legalized by the general consulate at Chicago, and made application through our agent, Mr. Kris, to obtain the necessary permit for importing "Cascarets" into Austria and Hungary. To-day we are receipt of a letter from our agent, which I have translated and inclose you a copy, together with clipping a referred to in the communication. Said clipping is necessarily printed in German, and the paragraph marked thereon authorizes the importation of preparations made in European States, which, if strictly construed, would be a very marked discrimination against the

a Not printed.

United States and probably inconsistent with the favored-nation treaty undoubtedly in existence between the two countries.

We have already spent considerable time, work, and money in preparing for the sale of our goods in this territory, and we do not feel that we ought to abandon the enterprise on account of a ruling which certainly can not be based on equitable international principles.

You will notice Mr. Kris's suggestion to have our Department of State interpellate the Austrian embassy regarding this subject, and it occurred to Mr. Kramer and myself that you might be willing and able to take this matter up for us, as being one of great importance to the proprietary interests of America. We do not think this question has ever been brought to adjudication. If the condition which reveals itself in our negotiations is to be maintained, then the importation into Austria of any chemical goods put up in packages ready for retailing is prohibited as far as America is concerned, whereas all European countries have at least a chance to secure admission of their products.

Will you please advise whether you can take any action personally in this matter and see the Secretary of State with reference to it, or be kind enough to give us the correct advice in the premises?

[blocks in formation]

HONORED SIRS: Last week I spent the forenoon of every day in the sanitary department in connection with this matter, and herewith communicate to you the result of our consultations.

The importation of American specialities for medicinal purposes to be sold in packages at retail is forbidden under the rulings of the department. The United States are specifically excluded. In answer to my remark addressed to the sanitary referee, that the United States were supposed to be on earth, he pointed out to me that he was compelled to adhere strictly to the letter of the law. I am of the opinion that the clause referred to must be an oversight of our authorities, and inclose herewith a clippinga of our medicinal tax schedule for your information. I have been compelled to withdraw our application in the form in which it was filed, and on Wednesday, June 18, shall call on the American consul here, and call his attention to this question. The importation by prescription-i.e., through the medical profession, A. B. S.could be accomplished, but this method would be inadequate for a large commercial enterprise like this. I have no doubt but that, with your assistance, I shall be able to secure the right of retailing your goods, and beg you, immediately upon receipt of this letter, to have your proper authorities interpellate the Austrian embassy regarding this subject. It certainly can not be the case that you Americans are allowed to import our articles put up for the retail trade while the reverse privilege is denied us. Regarding my audience with the American consul-general, I shall report to you within a few days. I hope you will not hesitate in taking the necessary steps, as the sale in our country of this article is certain to be an extensive one, but these legal formalities must be gone through.

Respectfully,

M. KRIS.

Mr. Adee to Mr. Hale.

No. 60.]

DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, August 14, 1902.

SIR: Referring to the Department's No. 57, of the 12th ultimo, I inclose a copy of a letter from Hon. C. B. Landis, with inclosure, relating further to the attempt of the Sterling Remedy Company to establish itself in Vienna.

I am, etc.,

a Not printed.

ALVEY A. ADEE,

Acting Secretary.

« ÎnapoiContinuă »