Mr. White to Mr. Hay.
Berlin , May 3, 1900 .
Sir: Referring to previous correspondence (dispatch No. 1222, of April 14, 1900), I have the honor to inform you that it is now reported that a “compromise” has been made between the German Government and the leaders of the principal parties in the Reichstag in regard to the meat-inspection bill, which makes it seem probable that if the bill is amended on its third reading in the manner indicated it will be accepted by the Bundesrath. This “compromise” relates especially to section 14a, which in the proposed form would read as follows:
The importation of meat in air-tight sealed boxes or similar vessels, of sausages and other preparations of meat in small pieces (verkleinertem) into Germany (Zoll-Inland) is prohibited. In other respects the importation of meat into Germany, until December 31, 1903, will be governed by the following regulations.
- 1.
- Fresh meat may be imported only in whole carcasses, which, in the case of beef cattle, with the exception of calves and hogs, may be cut into halves. To these carcasses must be attached in the natural manner, the “Brust-und Bauchfell,” the lungs, heart, and kidneys, and in the case of cows, the udder. The Bundesrath is empowered to include other organs also.
- 2.
- Prepared meat may be imported only when it has been shown by practical experience that the manner in which it is prepared is such as to exclude danger to the health of a human consumer, or when it can, at the time of its importation, be examined in such a way as to show conclusively that it is not injurious. This is considered an impossibility (unausfuhrbar) in the case of shipments of pickled meat (Pockel-Fleisch) where the weight of the single pieces is less than 4 kilograms. This provision does not apply to hams, fat, or intestines.
Meat which has been treated for the purpose of making it remain good (Haltbarmachung), but which retains to a considerable degree the character of fresh meat, or which, through treatment, might regain that character, is not to be considered as prepared (zubereitetes) meat. Such meat comes within the provision of No. 1.
For the time after December 31, 1903, new regulations in regard to the importation of meat are to be enacted. In case, however, that this is not done the prescriptions in No. 2 remain in force until altered.
I am, etc.,