Mr. Blaine to Mr. Phelps.
Washington, March 4, 1890.
Sir: I inclose for your information a copy of a letter* from the Secretary of Agriculture of the 18th ultimo, touching the restrictions imposed against the introduction of live animals and hog products from the United States by certain European governments, including the action of Germany upon this important industry.
The regulations of the German Government have proved a serious obstacle to the development of a profitable trade with that country, [Page 308] and our affected interests demand that these measures, which are clearly unjust in view of the repeatedly demonstrated healthfulness of this article of food, should be removed or materially modified.
Especially is the quarantine regulations of 4 weeks against American cattle considered as unnecessary, as it is without warrant in fact, and it is hoped that upon proper representation the German Government may be disposed to change this prohibitory injunction, particularly in regard to the landing of cattle for immediate slaughter.
“There appears to be at present,” observes the Secretary of Agriculture, “considerable uncertainty as to whether such animals are entirely prohibited, or whether they may be landed and go to any part of the Empire after 4 weeks of quarantine, or whether such quarantine must necessarily be enforced with animals that might be at once slaughtered at the port of landing.”
Definite information upon this subject is desired; also in reference to the recent press telegrams from Germany that American pressed beef and canned meats either had been or were about to be excluded.
Awaiting the fullest possible data upon the subject of the letter of the Secretary of Agriculture,
I am, etc.,