New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-09-04
THE RECIPROCITY PLAN.


More quickly than any one expected the
latest plans of Republican leaders arc Nlndl-
Gated by events. The reciprocity provision
offered by Senator Aldrich has not only been
approved by many Senators and by leaders III
the House of Representatives, but by the most
important of all Central and South American
Powers. Only on Monday Democratic and
Free Trade newspapers were passlOnatcly as
serting that the proposal was shallow cheat
which would have no influence whatever, ana
that Brazil. in particular. could not meet the
terms proposed because unable to give up the
revenue derived from duties on products OF
this country. These newspapers were Obliged
TO print the same morning dispatches from
Washington. announcing that the brazilian
Envoy, in an interview with Senator Aldrich'
had declared that Brazil would be one OF the
first countries to make concessions 10 inc
United States in return for removal OF the
dutics on sugar. Mr. Mendoza said that Bra
iii would not only remove duties on larm
products from this country, hut would admit
free of duty United States agricultural implc-
ments. machinery, and railroad iron. equip
ments and supplies. and reduce by at least 20
per cent the duties on cotton and leather goods
and clothing from this country.
1t has been no secret at Washington. since
the Pam American Conference assembled tha'
most of the Central and South American Gov
ernmcntS were anxious to enter into closer
commercial relations with this country. The
ahlcst men of those nations have come TO
realize that tn" development Of their resources
can in no way be more powerfully promoted
than by securing free access for Their cher
products to the markets of that nation which
consumes from fifth to third OF the
worlds entire supply of many staples.
and opening their ports to the manu-
featured products of that nation which
has become the greatest manufacturing coin-
t,y of the world About n third OF the worlds
consumption Of wool and India rubber. quar-
ter Of the worlds consumption of coffee, and
q fifth of the worlds consumption VI sugar is
to be found in the United States. This co''n-
try now sends machinery. iron and steel Tor
bridges. agricultural implements and other
tools to the most distant countries, and even
(, British colonies in South Africa and Aus
tralia. being able to excel British makers IN
competition. II sells cotton cloth in Man
chester, American cutlery in Sheffield. Amcr-
can leather to England in large quantities. ana
American boots and shoes To almost every
country on earth. All the people OF this con-
tincnt could have more profitable relations
with such nation than with any nation oi
EuroIe. and their shrewdeSt statesmen sec
the fact.
Difficulties exist in certain South American
countries which have become so deeply in
debtad to Great Britain that they are prac-
ticallv governed by money lenders in London.
These Powers would be Influenced to insist
upon concessions which the United States can
rot make without injury to its own ministries
Under the proposed reciprocity amendment
these can stand out and wait meanwhile SEQ
ing other South American nations pressing
forward rapidly and surprising them in de-
vclop,nent and prosperity because aided 10y
closer relations with the United States. Sran-
ish necessities may also make difficulties III
regard to imports int, Cuba and Porto Rico
But it is no, by any means imposslhl" that
some mutually advantageous adjustment can
I've effected with SPAN. The plan proposed
does not depend for its success or value, how
ever. upon the assent of any one nation, nor
upon an immediate assent. If adopted as 4
permanent National policy it will have 4 con-
SANITY increasing potency, as the populations
wealth and trade of this Nation increase.
The one objection which has been made T."
this plan is that it would intruSt large power
to the President. But this objection has been
to a great extent removed in the amendment
offered by Senator Aldrich, which fixes the
rates of duty to he imposed at definite
future date. provided arrangements salts
factory to this country have not then been
made. 1t does not rest with the President
alone to determine whether proposed treaty
is satisfactory. for the approval of the S"nat"
is requisite Arrangements with other Powers
that do not need assent of the Senate would
vet be naturally communicated by the Pwsi
dent to Congress as reasons for his action and
it would then be in the power Of Congress TO
declare whether the arrangements were salts
factory or not. Such an expression would
doubtless bc accepted without hesitation by
the Executive In short, tho power intlistcd
to the President is not greater than the Exccu-
tive properly and naturally possesses, and is
ncomparably less than has been intrusted to
! the Executive by other acts OF Congress.