Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-24
RECIPROCITY SIX YEARS AGO.

A rather interesting tact with reference of
the discussion of Mr.. Blaine's reciprocity
policy has been brought out by an exam
ination of the records at Washington. That is
the fact that reciprocity treaties almost
identical with what are now proposed were
negotiated with Spain, for trade with Cuba
and Porto Rico, in 1884 This instrument
provided for the admission to Cuba and
Porto Rico of all the agricultural products
of the United States, with two exceptions,
and of long list of manufactured products.
The two exceptions were wheat and -four, on
which duties were to be levied of IA cents
per buShel on wheat, the present duty being
81 IS, and 81 65 per barrel on -four, the
present duty being s. So.
A variety OF reasons are assigned for the
shelving of this treaty, which would have
given us free sugar and an almost complete
control of trade with Cuba and Porto Rico.
Each reason is clearly colored by the politi-
cal views of those advancing it. An equal
variation of opinion regarding the effect Of
the fact on Mr.. Blaine's policy is shown.
One side sees in it a destruction of any
claim to originality in Mr.. Blaine's views;
the other brings it forward as evidence that
Mr.. Blaine is simply carrying out the settled
Republican policy, taking it up where it
was left off by the Arthur administration.
1t might be salutary, if possible, to find out
what the influences were which induced the
strangling of a treaty which is now so obvi-
ously for the commercial welfare of this
country; but any personal aspects in its
connection are Of slight moment beside its
clear indication as to the present policy to
be pursued.
1t is, very plainly, not necessary to arrest
the present legislation for the reduction of
the sugar duties. To do so would be to
postpone both the reduction and the early
realization of reciprocity. On the other
hand, Spaio six years ago, showed her
rea illness to exchange the abolition OF duties
IN American products In Cuba and Porto
Rico for the similar abolition of our duties
on the products of these islands. and her
subsequent imposition of prohibitory duties
on -four is now put in the evident light of
retaliation. 1t is very probable, therefore,
that the repeal of sugar duties by this
Government would evoke similar action
by Spain, as regards our trade with the
Spanish West Indies.
But we need not rely exclusively on that
probability. The amendment of Senator
Pierce to the tariff bill meets the important
requirements of the reciprocity policy, and
harmonizes it with the policy of cheapening
sugar to the consumers of this country. 1t |
provides for tie reduction at present; |
but il after a year any sugar.
producing country imposes discrim- |
natiug duties on our agricultural products, |
the President will have power to order the |
restoration of the duty on the sugar pro-
duced BY that country. Such a proviso |
makes il almost certain that before the year |
is out the duties which shut the Havana |
markets to our products will be removed,
and the cost of sugar reduced to the con-
sumers of the United States by nearly 40 |
per cent.
1t is hard to see what objection there can
be to any. such harmonizing of the two poll |
cies, except from those who are interested in |
keeping the sugar duties as they are. or from |
the others who can see nothing in this ques-
ton except the advancement or pushing
into the background of rival political am
bitions