The daily critic. (Washington City, D.C.) 1890-1890, 1890-06-19

Wood and lumber $500, i0i s,08osss
These figures should be closely
studied II would be difficult to under
stand, but for the explanations given in
the conference, why, out Of the 300,-
600 600 Of staples exported from this
country, only 10000 600 should be con.
sumed in all Latin America with its
population Of 80, 000, 600 Of people, when
the United States Is the only source Of
supply for these articles, which are re-
garded by us as the necessities of life.
The foreign delegates all agreed
that this proportion could be increased
many fold by extending to their people
the ability TO purchase. and the ability
to purchase rests, In their opinion, upon
reciprocal concessions.
Attached hereto IS statement
showing the duties charged by the
South American countries Of the largest
commerce upon the articles which they
import chiefly from the United Seates:
and also a statement showing the
meagre amounts of our peculiar export
able products shipped to the several
Latin American States. BY a compari.
son Of these statements the effect OF the
removal Of the duties upon these articles
by the countries Of Latin America will
at once be apparent
Fifteen Of the seventeen republics
with which we have been in confer
euce have indicated, by the votes Of
their representatives In the Interna-
tional American Conference, and by
other methods which it is not necessary
to define, their desire to enter upon re-
ciprOcal commercial relations with the
United States; the remaining two ex-
press equal willingness, could they be
assured that their advances would be
avorably considered.
"To escape the delay and uncertainty
Of treaties Il has been suggested that a
practicable and prompt mode of testing
the question was to submit an amend.
ment to the pending tariff bill,
authorizing the President to de.
clare the ports of the United
States free to all the produce OF the
nation of the American hemisphere
upon which no export duties are i'm.
posed, whenever and so long as such
nation shall admit to its ports free Of
all national, provincial lState), munich
pal and other taxes, our flour, corn
meal, and other breadstuifs
preserved meats, fish, vege.
tables and fruits, cotton seed oil, rice
and other provisions, including all
articles of food lumber, furniture and
other articles Of wood, agricultural Inn
plcments and machinery, mining and
mechanical machinery, structural
steel and iron steel rails,
locomotives, railway cars and sup.
plies, street cars and refined petroleum.
] mention these particular articles be
cause they have been most frequently
referred 10 as those with which valua-
bic exchange could be readily effected
The list could no doubt be prodtably
enlarged by a careful investigation OF
the needs aud advantages of both the
home and foreign markets
The opinion was general among the
foreign delegates that the legislation
herein referred to would lead to the
opening Of new and profitable markets
for the products Of which we have
so large a surplus, and thus invigo-
rate every branch Of agricultural
and mechanical industry. OF
course the exchanges involved in
these proposition would be rendered
impossible If Congress, ia It's wisdom,
should repeal the duty on sugar
by direct legislation, instead Of allow
ing the same object TO be attained by
the reciprocal arrangement suggested
Respectfully submitted,
JAMES G.. BLAINE,