The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-08
COMMERCIAL RELATIONS.
Opposition of the Administration to Reel
procity Treaties.

Opposition of the Administration to Reel
procity Treaties.
Washington Special in New York Evening Post.
A gentleman who has recently had talk with
the Secretary Of State on tho subject of the
commercial relations between the United States
and Spain says: 1.-The recent cable dispatches,
so far as they seem to indicate that there is any
probability that the administration wiz enter
into negotiations with Spain for reciprocity
treaty, are misleading. The unsuccessful ex.
periments in connection with the treaty which
was negotiated by Minister Foster are quits
enough to satisfy the administration that ID
would be ineXpedient to attempt further similar
negotiations, with the Senate composed as it
now is. Moreover, it is not the policy of the
government to encourage reciprocity treaties.
Mr.. Bayard when in the Senate. when
the proposed treaty with Spain was under
consideration, was one of the most earnest IN
opposition to it, and there is the best reason for
stating that he has in no particular modified his
views The position which he took in the SEN
ate was adopted by the President, and incorpo-
rated in his message to Congress, and there can
be little doubt, if the same subject were to be
again presented to Congress by the administra-
risn, the President and the Secretary of State
would both take the same view. They do not
believe in tnkering with the tariff through re-
cprocity treaties. and the majority in the Sem
ate, for very different reasons has practically
taken the same position. Moreover, Mr. Nor
{ on, the chairman of the committee on ways
and means in the House, is perhaps even more
radical in his opposition to reciprocity treaties,
and it may be confidently predicted. therefore,
that no reciprocity treaty will be negotiated by
this administration. An exception has been
made by the President as to the pro-
posed Mexican treaty, but the oppo-
stion TO that in tho House is so strong
that there does not seem to be the slightest prob
ability that the necessary enabling act can pass.
The negotiations which have just been con-
cuded, however, between the government at
Madrid and the State Department are believed
by our administration to secure to the United
States the commercial privileges which orr mer-
chants have so long desired. 1t is to be doubted
whether TINS commercial arrangement could have
been effected but for the firm stand which the
President took in resisting the violation of the
old agreement which was persisted in by tha
Cuban customs authorities. But the President
was determined, and, after the fullest investiga'
ton, issued his proclamation, and it. may bt
safely stated that even now, If the Spanish and
Cuban authorities do not carry out the present
agreement in letter and spirit the President will
issue another proclamation restoring the discrim-
mating duties 1t is not the purpose of the ad.
ministration to permit itself to be hoodwinked
by the Cuban customs officers, and our consuls
in Cuba will be directed to see to it that the new
agreement shall be fairly executed"