Omaha daily bee., 1890-09-03
c,v,nA NOT TO ne IGNORED.

The spirit OF reciprocity Is all-pervad-
ing. While certain statesmen are con-
centrating their attention upon the mar
kets Of the southern continent, others
are equally anxious to effect more inti-
mate trade relations with our northern
ncighbor. There Is n desire TO solicit
Canada TO enter into the great scheme
OF reciprocal trade which is expected
to afford our farmers and manufacturers
an outlet for their surplus products, and
undoubtedly the people OF the Do.
ininion will be given to understand, If
they do not understand already, that
this country is prepared to offer them
very favorable terms for a commercial
arrangement that will be mutually salts
factory.
The amendment TO the tariff bill pro-
posed by Senator Sherman is in this di-
rcction. It provides that whenever the
president shall have official Information
OF desire on the part of the
Dominion government to enter
into commercial arrangements with
the United States that will
result in the complete or partial re-
moval of the duties upon trade between
Canada and the United States, he shall
appoint commissioners to conlor with
representatives. of Canada regarding
method to effect the proposed object
A similar proposition has heretofore
been presented in congress, and though
it has encountered opposition on the
ground that the last reciprocity arrange
ment with Canada was not to the advan-
tage of the United States, u contention
which the facts do not sustain, such is
the tendency in favor of reciprocity be-
tween this country and all others in the
western hemisphere, that undoubtedly
the proposal regarding Canada will be
adopted. So far as Senator Sherman Is
concerned, he is q very prominent advo-
cate of admitting Canada to considera-
ton in this particular, having not very
long ago expressed the opinion that it
was u question of only few years when
Canada would be either CONNER
cially or politically in the most
intimate relations with the United
| States 1t is not questionable that there
| is a very considerable sentiment in the
| Dominion in full sympathy with this
| view.
| Such being the situation it is inter-
esting to note the present condition OF
| trade between the United States and
| Canada. According to the reports of the
| bureau OF statistics of the treasury de-
| partment for 1889, this country exported
| to Canada merchandise valued
in round numbers, at thirty
eight million dollars, while the
imports from Canada amounted to 6
little less than forty-two million dollars.
This shows q balance of about four mil
lion dollars ag tinst US, but us our OK
ports are not carefully recorded, there
being no duties upon them, the statistics
of the Canadian government are more
trustworthy. These show u large bal
ance of trade in our favor, amounting
to nearly thirteen million dollars.
The aggregate value Of our trade with
Canada in 1889 was eighty million dol
lars, or twcnty millions -greater than
with -RrS1il, the country of South
! America with which we have the larges
commerce. In view of this and Other
obvious facts not less important, ther,
would seem to be excellent reasons why
Canada should not De ignored in consid
ering a policy of commercial reciprocit,
with the countries of this hemisphere.