The Washington critic., 1890-03-28
sourn AMEnroAN RECIPROCITY.
There Is said 20 10 Scheme of "A
startling Nature on Foot,

"A
startling Nature on Foot,
New York, March 2S.-The Eoeaspd
Post gives prominence to the following
special from Washington.
"The possibility of getting great
benefit from the PGn-American Con
gress has come to focus. An intima-
ton was received few days ago by
Mr.. Charles Flint the representative Of
this country from New York, from the
representatives Of the South American
countries, that their countries might be
willing to give complete reciprocity in
everything, provided this country would
do the same.
Nlr. Flint was in consultation with
Seq etary Blaine upon the matter, and
upon the expression of his Clint s) de-
sire that Mr.. Jefferson Coolidge of
Massachusetts might be Joined with
him in the negotiations, those two rep
resentatives Of the United States in the
Congress were made a sub. committee to
conduct the negotiations and put the
matter in shape for further representa-
ton the Congress. The whole situa-
ton was talked over with Mr.. Blaine,
and the outcome of 1t was that the rep
resentatives of this country were au-
tborized, in tie name Of tie Secretary Of
state, and Uith his dpp1UUdJ Of tie
scheme, to maize a proposition Of absolute
reciprocity to the representatives Of the
South american countries.
"The reciprocity proposed is without
exception, and the adoption of the
plan would bring about absolute free
trade in every article of commerce
between the United States and the South
American countries.
There is also involved in the plan
as an essential part of it, the adoption
of articles of agreement for arbitration
in cases Of international disputes. This
agreement would apply to the South
American countries in their relations
with each other, as well as in their re-
lations with the United States.
''The scheme in its two parts is re-
garded as of immense consequence to
all the countries concerned. 1t was on
Saturday, March %, that the PROPOSE
ton was submitted by Messrs. Flint
and Coolidge to the South American
representative"
The Post says: "The source from which
this news reaches us we consider sutfi-
ciently good to warrent publication, but
confess that we cannot help doubling
the willingness of the Pan Americans to
adopt a tariff which would prevent the
United States being flooded with Euro
pean goods via South America and the
willingness of Mr.. Blaine to propose
reciprocity which did not provide for
such tariff"
Secretary Blaine was asked about the
| correctness of the report. He read the
dispatch carefully and with evident in
terest, but positively declined to make
any comments, and would not permit
himself either to admit or to deny the
truth of the statements is contains.
1t was learned, however, from a
gentleman who is supposed to be well
posted as to what is going on in the con
ference that Mr.. Flint and Mr.. Cool.
| idge, two of the delegates from the
United States, have been and are still
in consultation with some of the foreign
! delegates with reference to the subject
above stated; but whether they are act
ing upon their own responsibility OF
under the instruction of the Secretary
of State could not be ascertained.
The proposition is said to involve the
| surrender by the United States of the
duties upon sugar and carpet woods i'm
ported from the countries of Central
and South America, in exchange fol
similar concessions from the govern
ments of those countries as to merchan
disc imported from the United States
including all farm products, refined
petroleum. lumber, agricultural imple
ments and machinery and some Other
articles. 1t is asserted that such an eX
change of concession would increase
the exports from. the United States t.
Latin America from fifty to sixty mil
lion dollars year.