Proclamation 448—Reduction of Tariff on Certain Products From Germany

Whereas the German Government has entered into a Commercial Agreement with the United States in conformity with the provisions of the third section of the Tariff Act of the United States approved July 24, 1897, by which agreement in the judgment of the President reciprocal and equivalent concessions are secured in favor of the products of the United States:

Therefore, be it known that I, William McKinley, President of the United States of America, acting under the authority conferred by said act of Congress, do hereby suspend during the continuance in force of said agreement the imposition and collection of the duties imposed by the first section of said act upon the articles hereinafter specified, being the products of the soil and industry of Germany; and do declare in place thereof the rates of duty provided in the third section of said act to be in force and effect from and after the date of this proclamation, as follows, namely:

"Upon argols, or crude tartar, or wine lees, crude, five per centum ad valorem.

"Upon brandies, or other spirits manufactured or distilled from grain or other materials, one dollar and seventy-five cents per proof gallon.

"Upon still wines, and vermuth, in casks, thirty-five cents per gallon; in bottles or jugs, per case of one dozen bottles or jugs containing each not more than one quart and more than one pint, or twenty-four bottles or jugs containing each not more than one pint, one dollar and twenty-five cents per case, and any excess beyond these quantities found in such bottles or jugs shall be subject to a duty of four cents per pint or fractional part thereof, but no separate or additional duty shall be assessed upon the bottles or jugs.

"Upon paintings in oil or water colors, pastels, pen and ink drawings, and statuary, fifteen per centum ad valorem," of which the officers and citizens of the United States will take due notice.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington this 13th day of July, A.D. 1900, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and twenty-fifth.

WILLIAM MCKINLEY

By the President:

JOHN HAY,

Secretary of State.