The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-07-15
PROFITABLE RECIPROCITY.
Letter From Secretary Blaine on the Free
Sugar Proposition.

WASHINGTON, July Ex-senator Frye to-
day received letter from Secretary Blaine,
in which the latter calls attention to the
prospective duties imposed by Spain upon
American -four entering Cuba. These
make it cost in the Cuban market at least
S11 46 per barrel, counting the shipping
price in New York at 81 so per barrel.
Other articles of American growth are
likewise taxed by Spain to point OF pro-
hibition.
This one sided commerce, says Secretary
Blaine, will seriously iniure The shipping
routes which are still III American hands largely,
II not exclusively. IL would certainly be very
xtraoidinaiy policy on tie part VI our Govern
ment Just at this time TO open our market with,
out charge Of duty 10 the enormous crops .l OF
sugar raised IN The Two Spanish slands-Cuba
and Porto RicO-whlch furnish the United
States with nearly, or quite, ono hall
the sugar we consume. and we are a
far larger consumer than any other nation In the
world. To give free market TO this immense
product OF the Spanish plantations at a moment
can farms from her MAJ ket would be policy as
unprecedented AS IL would be unwise.
Our trade with the American republics as well
as with the West India Islands has been for
many years IN The most unsatisfactory condition.
The aggregate balance of trade with all Latin
American countries IS heavily against US.
single illustration Will suffice. Since we re-
repealed The duties on c0nee In 1877
We have imported products Of Brazil TO
AIcOCsOON,
sold 10 her only Sl56 1876. 600 OF our
own products, difference OF S644, OIL 900 that
we have paid In gold or its equivalent aud
Brazil has expended this last sum in the mar
kets of Europe. You can readily see how differ
ent tile results would lave been II In return for
tile free admission Of Brazilian coffee in our
markets, We had exacted the free admission of
certain products OF the United States in the Bra
lillian market. To repyat this error with sugar
tIO an amount three times as large as with
coffee, Will close all opportunity 10 establish re-
clprocity OF trade with Latin Americans.
The charge against a protective policy which
has Injured II most, Is that its Dement'S go wholly
10 the nlanuiact urers and capitalists ana not at
all 10 the farmer. You and l we'll know this Is
not true. but still it is most plausible and there
Is an opportunity where the farmer can
be benefited ~ primarily, undenlably, richly
a Republican Congress 10 open market OF
forty millions OF people 10 the products OF Amer
lean farmers. Shall we seize the opportunity, or
shall we throw 1t away? l do net doubt mat
In many respects the tariff bill pending
III lie Senate Is a just measure, aud that
most OF It's provisions are in accordance
with the wise policy Of protection. But there IS
not section or line IN The entire bill that VIII
open market for another bushel OF wheat or
auoIher barrel OF pork. If sugar is placed on
the free list without exactlng importing trade
concessions IN return, We shall close the door for
pro1tabe reciprocity against ourselves. think
you VIII ma some valuable hints on TINS SUBJECT
iu the Presidents brief message OF June 18Th,
with as much practical wisdom as was ever
stated In such short space.
Our foreign market Tor breadstuns grows mar
rover Great Britain is exerting every nerve TO
secure her bread supplies from India, and the
rapid expansion of the wheat area lii Russia
gives US powerful competition in the markets OF
Europe. 1t becomes us. therefore, To use every
opportunity for the extension OF our mar
kets on both OF the American continents.
Win nearly Sl00,000.000 worth Of sugar seek
ing our market every year, we shall prove our
selves unsk iled legislators II we do not secure
large field Tor the sale aud consumption Of our
0ieadstuts aud provisions. The late conference
OF The American republics proved the existence
OF 4 common desl for closer relations, aud Cou-
gress should take up The work where The
interna tional conference left II. Our field
for development and progress lies south OF US.