The German Government is not so lucky with regard to
its Meat Bill. It is said that a compromise has been arranged about this also, but it is not one which avoids the main difficulty. The Agrarians, who are masters of the situa- tion, have agreed to give up absolute prohibition, except in regard to sausages and tinned meat, but they still insist that in order to allow of full medical examination the heart, liver, and other entrails of each imported animal must accompany it, and that pork shall only be admitted when it is certain that its use is producing no mischief. Moreover, all meat imported must be in blocks of not leas than 7 lb. These modifications of the original measure pacify the German towns, but they will immensely increase the diffi- culties of the American exporters, who must resort to new devices to keep their meat sweet, and who will be harassed by seizures ordered on sanitary grounds. It was long ago said that if America and Germany ever fought it would be "over hogs and hog products," and though matters will not go as far as that, there will be an acrimonious diplomatic contest. Tariffs to-day are explosive machines.
