The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-07-26
Our Trade with Morocco

session of the government at Washington, In the
the official reports of ministers and consus, to
warrant thorough examination into the subject
of our foreign trade, and into the obstacles which
are daily thrown the way of its success by seve-
raj of the governments of Europe. This investi-
cation should be prosecuted with resolae inten-
ton on the part of government, to a removal of
the many evils complained of, by insisting upon
strict fulflment of treaties, in every instance
1t is matter Of the first importance to our COM
mercial community and it Is, further, due to the
country at large, that the government should take
the matter in hand with little delay as possible.
The complaints hitherto made upon this subject, in
almost every instance have been allowed to pass
unnoticed by the heads of our departments, or
when referred to the consular bureau for action,
they have been thrown aside as so much waste
paper, leaving the agent without the poor satlsfac-
ton of even reply to his communication BY
this very SIMPLE process, the Impositions
commerce have not alone increased; but in some
instances, our trade with foreign countries has
been wholly destroyed while the benefits arising
from the same have fallen into other channels, as
natural consequence of inattention and indiffe-
renee on the part of government
A in point is now before US. BY reference
TO data in our possession, we find that the trade OF
shortly after the war Of 1872, equalled IN amount
the trade of Great Britain. In 1899, the following
particulars of this commerce given in a report
made by the British Charge d'AfaIres In that En-
pire, to his government =
The British commerce with Morocco Is, therefore,
from the premises will be gathered of much greater
extent and Importance than could be imagined from
the official returns laid before Parliament and pub
hshed by Mr. Porter it, therefore should be ostered
and cultivated as greatly as possible by government
{nHn dali tram ht.h q L.
jected in Morocco, should be the subject Of friendly
negotiation to get removed The imports and exports,
together Of this commerce, represent annual move
ment Of 81 600 600 value at least British account,
and in British bottoms.
The trade of Ike United States, during the same
year-nanely, ls39-had been reduced to e32, 2iO,
or little over sl6l 900. In 1914, the trade of
Great Britain was estimated at eight millions Of
dollars, including the illicit or contraband trade,
which may be set down at a million of dollars.
The trade of the United States for the period,
did not amount TO single dollar. This is the last
official intelligence we have upon the subject Of
this valuable commerce, which may be said to
have passed wholly into the hands of British capi-
talsts, if we exclude the magnificent carrying
trade done by French and Sandman vessels. A
large portion of this trade passes into the ad oin-
ing States and countries bordering the empire,
constituting population of from twenty to twenty
dent, for their supplies, on British enterprise alone.
still greater extension Of this interest is appa-
rent in the facilities with which British goods can
be conveyed into those countries by clandestne
means, through the several ports of Morocco, and
the cheap rate at which they are then furnished
TO the Moorish trader This alone is wanting to
complete British monopoly in thatpart of the world,
by giving her the mastery of trade, the ultimate
value Of which, in oil probability, would far over
reach any reasonable estimate that at this moment
we may be disposed TO offer. If, on the first IN.
fringement Of our treaty by Morocco, the United
States had acted with moderate frmnes., We should
not only have secured the respect of those semi
barbarians, but 1t is inferabe that a repetition
would not have been attempted and that our
merce would now have equaIled the trade of Great
Britain, as the principal articles of Moorish con-
sumption can be supplied by our manufacturers,
and have hitherto obtained preference over those
of the English. But, for the last thirty years, the
policy Of the United States has been TO submit to
every outrage imposed either upon our representa-
nyts TO that empire, or on the commerce of the
United States, without remonstrance COMP aint.
The encouragement thus afforded, has been
awaited Of by the Morocco government, as is seen
In the total destruction of our commerce with that
country, and in the absence of all influence with
the court, or local authorities, which may have
been attempted by our consuls la one OF the
ports of the empire valuable property belonging to
house in Boston. seized upon by the COVER
sf the town, and their agent threatened with
instant death in the event of his refusal to lmme-
dlattly leave the country. IL will SCARCELY be
credited that our own government permitted this
fragrant violation of treaty TO pass unnoiced; yet
such was the case; and although several subse-
suent attempts to establish American commercial
agencies on the coast, have been made, they have
been defeated in every instance by the Moorish
authorities. How far the jealousy of a rlval COM
mercial power, through its agents, has contributed
70 the present state OF things 1t may not at this
moment be necessary to enquire into although
charges to this effect, with particulars are now IN
the possession Of one Of our departments at Wash
ington but It Is of more importance to u.s. that our
treaties with foreign governments should be faith
fully observed, and their provisions, to the letter.
complied with.
II this cannot be enforced with Morocco. n be-
coming regard for national character would re-
commend the suspension Of all intercourse with
that government, and the immediate withdrawal
Of our accredited agent. This necessity, howev.
er, need not exist; the power OF the United States
rs now pretty generally known throughout the
world; but by no one nation is this better under.
stood than by the sagacious dip!omat of Morocco.
We should see that merchants are permitted
to settle IN such parts of the empire as they may
zee proper to select, and that the Maroquein GO
yernment should be fhade responsible for their
personal safety, and the security Of their property.
This is but the letter of our treaty and should be
insisted upon. Changes are also required in oar
consular system. American agents should be se-
lected to the several ports in the empire and lbe-
rally pad by government, and cur interests no
longer left with irresponsible Moors and Jews
upon whom these appointments are now confer.
red