The Tombstone epitaph., 1882-04-10
Reciprocity Treaty with Mexico. ,ror, tha Fl paso HaraId

From the Fl Paso Herald.
 Late dispatches from Washington assure us that MT. Romero, the new Mexican minister, favors reciproc- ity treaty between the two republics. At the same time it is asserted that his powers to enter into negotiations with the state department "are linn. tied by certain instructions.
 There is no Mexican statesman living who so vel understands the financial condition of his govern ment as does Mir. Romero. He has several times been secretary of the federal treasury, and has been in public life nearly thirty years; thus President Gonzales could not find, throughout the wide limits of the Mexican republic, statesman more competent to conduct any delicate negotiation.
 What Mir. Romero's instructions concerning the proposed treaty are, it would be difficult to imagine at present, but one thing is very cer- tain, the in .erests of his government ahd his people will not suffer at his han Is. for he is one of the most as. tute and willy diplomats on the con. tinant.
 The gentleman's own opinion re- garding reciprocity treaty with us has already been given to the world. EIe was interviewed in Mexico, by a representative of the Boston Herald, and on that occasion sad plainly, "That such a treaty would be diff. cult of realization, for Mexico could not well suffer a serious diminu- ation of her customs revenue, while no small portion of those revenues accrue from the established duties on dry goods, etc. This fact at once raises an insurmountaole barrier to the negotiation of reciprocity treaty on the terms anticipated, and pro- posed by the free trade element in the North. while it must not be for gotten that several of Mexico's most important exports, such as coffee, for instance, are already on our free list.
 But while Mexico will naturally demand certain restrictions against complete reciprocity, thls section has no less serious objections to present to such negotiations. Two principal agricultural industries-the cultiva- ton of rice and sugar-would be seriously menaced, if rot utterly ruined in such event.
 While It is not probable that these interests would be endangered for tN o or three years, we cannot forget the result that flowed from the Hawaiian treaty. The moment that reciprocity became an established fact, English and Spanish capital would flow into Mexico, English and Spanish plant CTS would cultivate the vast area of sugar and rice land lying contiguous to the Gould and Telfener railroads, nor would it be .ong before our coun. try would be flooded with 'he cheap ly produced sugar of Mexico.
 It is clearly seen, then, that both this country and Mexico has serious objections to t'e negotiation of lit eral reciprocity treaty. The South cannot look coldly on and permit the destruction of two of her most flour. ishing agricultural interests, while : Mexico can suffer nc great diminu ation of her revenue. It is diff cult, under these embarrassing cir cumstances, to imagine how such |
 treaty as that demanded by the free . traders of thls country can be nego tiated.
 r But there is no reason why a com mercial treaty, which might greatl, benefit both countries, should not bt arranged. Some happy medium tha would menace the interests of nei . ther people might be hit upon where , by discrimination in favor of the ex , ports of Mexico and the manufac- lures of this country mig be made and the two fourishing republics bound together by ties of reciproca interests,