Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-02-03
RECIPROCITY WITH MEXICO.
The Views of Ex-MIuIsEer Romero
on the Subject.

The correspondent in Mexico of the
Boston Herald has talked with Mr..
Romero, formerly Mexican Minister to
the United States, on the subject of re.
ciprocity between this country and
Mexico. Mr.. Romero said:
I'm my opinion, it would not be wise
to attempt to establish a treaty on the
basis of unrestricted reciprocity at the
present time. Among certain classes
here there is still some fear and
jealousy of the United States. 1t is but
natural, perhaps, that there should be
many who witness with dismay the
rapid growth of Americanism. Though
it is bringing much benefit upon our
country, yet it is believed that it may
become a power that could prove de.
structlve of our national dignity and in.
tegrity. Though do not, by any means,
share these feelings IN
derstand them and know of
their existence. For instance, the
Franco Egyptian Banking Company is
composed wholly of Mexicans and Euro.
peans. Its subvention wss granted es-
pecially with a view to counteract the
strong hold the Americans are &C
curing upon all our financial enterprises
and this by the present administration,
which has certainly shown great favor
10 American capitalists. But there is
another view of this question which
must commend itself to the hearty approx
al of every one who desires to see the
country prosperous aud the people
happy. And l believe that it would be
both wise and expedient to enter into a
commercial treaty by which certain spe-
Gifted products of each country should
be admitted free of duty, or with re-
duced tariff, into the other for limited
period, say three years. 1t this was
found advantageous to the people OF
both countries, there could then be no
opposition to extending the list of arti-
Giles admitted free to everything en-
| braced within international commerce.
cit is beyond all doubt in my mind
that an unrestricted freedom of trade. at
the present time, would not be equally
| favorable 10 both n2tions. 1t must be
remembered that, while one country is
rich and independent, the other has only
within the present decade emerged from
a half century of civil disturbances. Our
government is by no means rich. 1t must
| look sharply after its revenue. This at
present amounts to about 1924. 600, 900
| per annum, three-fOurths of which is
derived from the tariff. Take away
this principal source of revenue, and it
would be perpleXing feat to carry on
the government without bringing back
the hard experiences of the past.
agree with you that it would not be a
wise policy to repel any advances made
by your government. But it is a sad
truth that your legislators have thus far
| treated this whole subject with indiffer-
ence. When they give evidence of a
| generous policy they will, no doubt, find
that the highest national welfare is the
| aim of Mexico. The question certainly
requires the gravest consideration of the
statesmen and business classes of both
countries. l cannot say that facts in
political science may not be brought so
light that would make a secondary con-
sideration, even of the import duty now
considered so necessary to Mexico. But
internal tranquility must always be OF
first importance to any nation. If, in
return for the United States granting alb
solute freedom of entry to our sugar ard
other bulky staples, of which they would
consume enormous quantities, our gov
| eminent establishes reduced tariffs for
their manufactured articles. the result
could not but be safe and advantageous
to all concerned. The increased con-
sumption of American articles would
then be so great, and the temptation for
smuggling across the frontier be so ma
terially lessened, that the proceeds from
our import duties would rather be in
creased than diminished. On the other
hand, every additional pound of sugar
or coffee or wool produced here would
mean so much more business for Ameri
can manufacturers, while no interest in
! the United States would be otherwise
than benefcially affected, as immense
quantities of these products are annually
imported there from Cuba, Brazil and
Australia"