Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-07-04

Chilli and Commercial Treaties.
The South American commission met
with very little success in its efforts to
negotiate a commercial treaty between
this country aud Chill. The Chilian Pres
ident had carefully considered, evidently,
the purpose of the visit Of the commits
sion, and was, therefore, Thoroughly pre-
pared TO discuss ithe matters which the
commission presented for his approval.
He does not believe in commercial
treaties. He is perfectly willing that the
United States shall have all the adYan-
tages in trading with Chill which other
nations enjoy, but he is opposed to faYor-
ing one nation above another. His reply
to the suggestion that, as Chilrs low grade
of gua1O is largely used IN the Southern
States OF this country, il might be advan-
taseous to both Chill and this country TO
enter into some arrangement by which
this country could obtain the guano on
better terms, and Chill could get
such articles as she needs from
this country at less cost than she
now gets them, shows how he
regards commercial treaties. He said
very plainly that if the Southern States of
this country wanted ChilPs guano they
might buy it and that Chilans would buy
whatever they wanted of the United States
provided they could not supply their
wants TO better advantage elsewhere.
The Gillian President appears to be a
good deal of a free trader. He believes
in selling where he can get the most for
what he has to sell, and in buying where
be can get what he wants for the least
money.
1t is pretty clear from the report OF the
commission that before we can hope to in
crease our trade with Chill, and other
South American countries, we must have
steamship lines that Will enable us to do
our own carrying trade. IL seems that il
is now cheaper to send American goods
to Chill by way of Liverpool than to ship
them direct from New York to CHILEAN
ports. This is due to the fact that almost
the whole Of the carrying trade OF Chilli
and other south American countries is
done in English vessels, and the constant
aim Of English shipowners is to give to
English merchants, to as great an extent
as they can, the control Of the commerce
of the world.
It's by no means certain that the South
American Commission will be able to ac-
complish anything towards increasing our
trade with South American countries.
There is one sure way to increase it, but
this country does not appear to be quite
ready yet to adopt it, The way in ques-
ton is to furnish South America with
what she wants at less cost than England
or any other European country can fur
nish it,. This country, however, cannot
do that as long as it clings to the protec-
tive system.
We may be willing to pay for articles of
our own manufacture much higher
price than such articles can be obtained
for in markets other than our own, but we
shall hardly succeed in getting the people
of other countries to purchase our manu-
featured goods as long as they can get lust
as good articles elsewhere for less
money.
When the South American Commission
makes its report to Congress it is probable
that the conclusion that viii be reached
will be that while commercial treaties may
benefit some special interests the true
way to get control Of the trade of South
America Is to revise our tariff laws, and
so reduce our tariff charges that we can
compete in manufactures with England,
France or Germany in the markets of the
world; and we must have our own steam
ship lines to do our carrying trade, other
wise it will not benefit us to any great ex-
tent to manufacture chesply.