New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-25
GATEWAYS OF THE PLATE.
HOW COMMERCIAL ASCENDANCY MAY BE
RECLAIMED.

RECOMMENDED BY THE AMIkltAN NlNiSAL's
CONSUL BAKERS EMPHATIC VIEWS
NEEDS OF THE CONSULAR SERVICE.
PROM STAFF CORRESPONDENT or The TRBuSE.l
Buenos Ayres. January u.
Americans are most fortunate in having as their
representatives at this capital two Jealous cham-
picns of the interests of their commercial marine
Mr. Pitkin, the American Minister. was one OF the
original organizers Of the Shipping League winch
has established branches in all the leading cites
of the Union. He has presided over a national
convention of that body, and his speeches on the
restoration of the American flag 10 the high seas
have been masterpieces of lucid exposition. He
takes the iveest interest in all questions relating
10 American shipping. and is anxious while he is In
dinlomatic service in the Plate countries 10 pro
mote the development OF commercial marine
under the national flag. Consul f. l.. Baker. VINO
las been in continuous service at this port iOr
fifteen years having been appointed under General
Grant and retained under successive Admihisu"-
tons is also an ardent advocate OF American
commercial interests. In his admirable reports
special and annual, during that long pcllou liz
has never ceased 10 urge the pressing necessity
for the establishment of American steamship lines
with the Plate countries. lie has gwen from
time to time most minute and faithful accounts
OF the material progress of the Argentine ana oi
the wonderful development OF The European steam
marine: and he has never failed to Ieeonl"eh"
direct steam communication as prerequisite 10
all other movements and measures LOT an ihclc"s'
of American trade with this quarter
Mr. Pitkin. in the course of long converse
tim with me at his handsome residence on TIE
Gale Aries asserted most cmphatically his behei
that the establishment of a direct line OF steamers
would exert an immediate influence IN quicKenins
1,-;n between
States and the Argentine. l reminded him that
the Government here had once committed ltscll
IN tho nolicv of Substituting an American line. wheh
Colonel w T. 1isdai, as the representative OF MI
Roach had made arrangements for the eA'ehso"
OF the Brazil line: but inasmuch as the company
neglected in that instance to act promptly 'h'
offer was subseQ uently withdrawn lie S'o '""V
naturally the Argentine Government, ai'er such
an experience was unwilling to take the lhi'ia'Nc'
but he had the best reasons for believing lh'u 'i'
adoption of energetic measures at WashihS 'on io'
the establishment of direct steam commuhlca,ioHo
would be met in the most cordlai spirIo VI ~
ciprocity. The Government here, he was coh-
WINGED mot as q matter of open declaration on
its part. but of intelligent surmise on his o"n''
would do as much for an American line as the
Government at Washington. If a mail subsidy
were Maid on the American side, as good terms
would be secured by the line here. He spoke IN
the highest terms of the Argentine Minister lOr
Foreign Affairs He had read the passage Oh
President Harrison's message in relation 10 Amer
lean skipping to the Foreign Minister, VINO cN-
pressed the hcartiest satisfaction WIN the views
therein contained. "Of course he Iemarkeu'
Il am not in a position to make any forecasts re-
specting the action Of the Argentine Government
but | know that this country will be delighted
TO have regular steam communications opened
with American ports. 1t will meet the Oniteo
States Government halfway.
The American Minister proceeded to discuss the
best measures to be adopted for the immediate
restoration of the American flag to the seas lie
expressed the opinion that while mail subsidies
might suffice in this instance, high policy lay IN
The direction of the bounty system, which had
been introduced with marked success by France
and Italy The French navigation and ship
building bounties should be adopted, in his de
lberate Judgment, by the American GOverninehO
as the best expedicnt for developing the COM
nercial marine in all waters. Respecting tho
tariff on wool, he conceded that there was great
force in the statement that England. WINE adj
hitting this raw material without duty, was
taking only an Insignificant fraction OF the wool
clip Of the Argentine, although supplying the mar
ket here with one-third of the imported nIer-
chsndise The inference to be drawn from that
fact was that free wool in the United States was
not required in order to build up great export
trade with the Argentine. There was neVertne-
less O strong feeling in the Plate countries In
favor of the modification Of the United States
tariff schedules wool. That was a market 10
which they naturally desired 10 send thelr WOOL
clip, and, under existing regulations only the
coarse carpet wool from CordOva could enter;
He would be unwilling to surrender any Vlt3i
principle of the American protective system. ana
he did not desire TO bring the American wool
growing interests into antagonlsm with TIE move
ment for the restoration of the commercial ma
IL hour ha a
Determinations against Argentine wool in the IN
teNst of Australian sheep-farueIs The WOODS
here arc mixed with dirt and are brought INTO
competition with cleaner woods. ii an az va
lorum duty by which the actual wool could be
distinguished from the dirt making two-thirds
of the weight, could Dc substituted for the present
customs regulations, he believed that consider
able extension of trade would follow.
Mr.. Ptkin, as learn from American residents
here, is an energetic and popular Minister. who
enjoys the highest social privileges OF the Ar
eentine capital, and is in the best possible po-
sition for accomplishing diplomatic results. being
on the most cordial terms with the Foreign Min
tons for a commercial or reciprocity treaty are
TO be entered into means Of improving the
trade relations of the United States and the AT
gcntnc, ne will enjoy unusual facilities Tor max,
ing satisfactory arrangements. lie IS wcll-pleascq
with his residence and work in Bucnos Ayres, adj
mires the wonderful energy displayed by the Ar
centine in developing its industrial resources. and
seems To be thoroughly at home IN tue capllal
of a nation having many OF the characteristics
of the American people.
Consul Baker laid stress in conversation with
me upon the same principles which he has been
advocating year after year in his official reports
Direct steam navigation with the Plate IS his hs'
and strongest point and he emphasizes il with
the full force of his experience Of fifteen wears
during which he has watched the extraordinary
development of European trade with inns quaITl
of the world as the immediate consequences OF the
MULTIPLICATION of steamship lines He urges also
the establishment here of branch houses represent
ing American manufacturing and mercantile firms
Commercial travellers by nving visits cannot
successfully compete with European houses oI
agencies which are on the ground. There must
be American agencies. where the goods Of Amer
lean manufacturers can always he found. either
i'm sample or IN stock. He considers the estab
lishment OF direct banking facilities between
the United States and the Plate countries as cs
sential 10 any development Of trade relations OF
real magnitude American steamship lines. Amer
lean mercantile agencies and American banking
bo fir1l rti Of