BRITAIN AND GERMANY

Evening Star, Issue 18809, 6 December 1924, Page 10

BRITAIN AND GERMANY

THE COMMERCE TREATY. TERMS OUTLINED. Press Association—By Telegraph-Copyright. LONDON, December 4. (Received December 6, at 1.20 a.m.) The text of the Anglo-German Commercial Treaty is published. _ The treaty is to remain in force for five years, and it will replace, with modifications, the treaty passed in 1898. It secures for British subjects and companies national treatment in Germany in respect to taxation and shipping, except possibly in the coasting trade. As tlic basis of the treaty is the 11 most favored nation” treatment, legislation must bo passed in Great Britain to remove war-time disabilities on German citizens and companies in respect to their engaging in non-ferrous metal industries and banking in the United Kingdom, and the employment of German seamen in British ships. A great mass of prohibitions of the importation of goods into Germany which impeded British trade with, that country will be swept away. The ” most favored nation ” clauses will bo interpreted in the most liberal manner. Both parties agreo to abstain from using their respective tariffs as a means of discrimination. Both adopt the provisions of the international conventions relating to trade and shipping under the auspices of the League of Nations, notably at Barcelona and Geneva. The treaty applies only to tho United Kingdom, but the right to adhere to the treaty is accorded to the dominions and India, tho colonics and protectorates, and the British mandated territories, whose goods shall enjoy tho "most favored nation” treatment in Germany; but the German Government is empowered to withdraw this privilege in respect to any part of tho Empire which has not adhered to the treaty before .September I, 1926.—Reuter. I’AR.IY, December 5. (liceeivcd December 6, at 9.40 a.m.) A communique slates that at ono of this morning's conversations between Air Austen Chamberlain and M. Harriot an agreement was reached on questions requiring immediate solution. Tho consideration of tho other questions will be pursued in a friendly spirit.—A. and X.Z. Cable. COMMENTS BN ‘ THE TIMES.’ LONDON, December 5. (Received December 6, at 10.45 a.m.) Commenting In a loading article on the Anglo-German trade agreement, winch it describes us a landmark, llio limes says: “ While it is important in itself 011" account of the new principles it establishes for ,regulating commercial intercourse between tho two countries, it rs still more important- as a sign post indicating a departure from the state of war bv which tho Anglo-German relations have been dominated during tlio last ten eventful years. Nothing could- have expressed mure clearly than this commercial treaty the fact that a.s far as the two chief' belligerents aro concerned the war is over, and that (ho rule of intercourse is to be not still vivid memories of war, but such opportunities for a peaceful arrangement in the common interest as the Peace Treaty allows.” —‘The Times.’