Mr. Jackson to Mr. Hay.
Berlin, November 17, 1898.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose herewith three copies of a recent publication1 of the imperial health office in regard to the use of coloring matter in sausage meat, etc. Although this pamphlet was referred to in the Imperial Gazette of the 12th instant and copious extracts from it were published, I have been unable to obtain copies of it until to-day.
A good deal of similar literature has appeared of late in the interest of and opposed to the reported terms of the proposed imperial law for a uniform system of meat inspection, the project of which is now said to be before the several federal governments prior to its discussion in the federal council before it is submitted to the Reichstag. At first it was reported that this bill would, if it became a law, prohibit the importation of American canned meat, as each box would, in accordance with its supposed provisions, be opened and inspected at the frontier. It is now said that only sample boxes are to be opened, and that the question is being discussed as to the payment of transportation charges, etc., by the Goverment in case after this examination a shipment is refused admission to the country.
Agrarian papers complain that it is unfair to endeavor to excite public opinion against such a bill before its terms become known, and in one article the writer states that he expects to live to see the day when America will thank Germany for having been the cause of introducing meat-inspection regulations. Papers interested in manufactures and commerce hope that, as the proposed bill will affect all meat, although from the nature of things American meat is likely to be affected most, the United States will not answer it with retaliation.
I have, etc.,
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