Mr. White to Mr. Hay.
Berlin, February 22, 1900.
Sir: Referring to previous correspondence, I have the honor to inform you that the Imperial bill for the general inspection of meat throughout Germany has recently had its second reading in the committee to which it was referred in April, 1899. It will be remembered that this bill was introduced in the Reichstag about a year ago, where it was read the first time and referred to a special committee, and that subsequently this committee so amended the bill as to make the provisions affecting the importation of meat from abroad even more severe than in the original draft. For various reasons, owing partially, it is said, to the wishes of the Government, the second reading in committee, which was to have taken place last November, has been deferred from time to time. The Agrarians, not only in the Reichstag but also in several of the National Diets, have continually pressed to have the matter taken up again, and on the 20th instant the special committee resumed its sessions and finished its second reading of the bill yesterday.
As now amended the bill prohibits the importation of meat from abroad, with the exception of lard and bacon (schmalz und speck), after December 31, 1903, the date when, unless they are previously renewed, the principal German commercial treaties terminate and Germany will again have a “free hand” in commercial matters. The importation of pickled or similarly prepared meat, with the exception of pigs, hams and bacon, of meat in hermetically sealed tins or similar cases, of sausages and of other mixtures or preparations of chopped (verkleinert) meat is to be prohibited at once; and the importation of other meats (until 1904) is to be permitted under certain specified conditions. Fresh meat is to be admitted (until 1904) only in whole carcasses, which, in the case of beef cattle, excepting calves, and hogs may be cut into halves. To the carcasses, however, the “Brust und Bauchfell,” the lungs, the heart, the kidneys, and in the case of cows the udder as well as such other organs as may be prescribed by the Bundesrath, must remain attached in the natural connection. Prepared meat may only be admitted when it has been shown that, owing to the manner of preparation, etc., no sanitary danger can exist (wenn nach seiner Gewinnung und Zubereitung Gefahren für die menschliche Gesundheit a sgenschlossen sind), or when it can readily be inspected and its sanitary injuriousness competently proven.
The amended bill also, while still prescribing the inspection of the animal before being slaughtered and the meat afterwards, of all beef cattle, hogs, sheep, goats, horses, and dogs, whose flesh is to be used [Page 499] for human consumption, as well as of such other animals as the Bundesrath may prescribe, is less stringent than the original draft, with respect to the cases where animals must be slaughtered immediately, owing to accidents or for other causes, in order to prevent their meat deteriorating, and where animals are to be consumed in the household of their owner. The powers of the Bundesrath are also considerably reduced, much being left to be settled by the authorities in the various States in accordance with local requirements and customs. For instance, the microscopic inspection for trichinae is not to be obligatory throughout the Empire, this having never before been considered necessary in the South German States, the matter being left open for action by the diets of the separate States. To these diets are also left all questions relating to the cost of the inspection, etc., as well as the decision upon all points in regard to which the Bundesrath is not especially declared to be competent or does not make use of the powers conferred upon it.
As in the original bill, meat coming from abroad, with certain exceptions in the case of meat coming into frontier districts for local consumption, must be officially inspected, under control of the customs authorities.
The official text of the committee’s report has not yet been made public, and probably will not be until after the bill has had its third reading. It is, moreover, impossible to foretell what will be the action of the Government in regard to the amended bill. It is said, however, that the amended bill was passed almost unanimously by the committee, although the representative of the Government declared that it could not be accepted in its present form.
The Agrarian press is jubilant at what, it is to be hoped, is only a temporary success. This press is still bitter in its attacks upon Prince Hohenlohe, quoting his words in the Prussian Diet in 1898 (when he declared that foreign meat must be submitted to an inspection at least equally stringent to that prescribed for domestic meat), and comparing it with what is understood to be his present attitude in the matter.
I am, etc.,