Mr. Hay to Mr. White.
Washington , July 17, 1899 .
(Mr. Hay states that the prohibition by recent decrees of the importation of Belgian fresh beef is regarded here as a punitive measure against Belgium for having taken action apparently favorable to American trade. Such decrees are not warranted by the existence of any possible danger from Texas fever. In the first place, cattle from this country have never carried Texas fever to Europe. Second, fresh beef has never been the medium through which it was anywhere disseminated. Third, cattle from the Texas-fever district are not permitted to be exported to Europe, and the contagion is not spread by cattle from the noninfected district, even though infected with the disease. Fourth, no shipments of cattle to Belgium have been made under the new decree, and it is unlikely that any will be made until more favorable regulations are adopted.
Mr. White is directed to immediately bring the matter to the notice of the German Government.)