, 1890-07-15
Mr.. BLAINE ONCE MORE.
The Secretary Of State Writes
to Senator Frye.
Calls Attention to SPANS
Proscriptive Duties,
And Urges Reciprocity With
South America.

A5hlNdIONi July lt-O enatOr RYE
today received a letter from Secretary
Blaine in which tie latter calls attention
to the proscripuve duties imposed by
Spain upon American -four entering Cuba,
These make the cost in the Cuban market
atleast$ll. 40 per barrel. counting the ship
ping price in New York at "a. 80 per bar
rel. Other articles of American growth
are likewise taxed by Spain to the point
of prohibition. This one sided ommerce,
says Secretary Blaine, will seriously in
lure the shipping routes which are still in
American hands largely. if not exclusive
ly. 1t would certainly be a very extraor-
binary theory on the part of our govern
ment Just at this time to open our market
without the charge Of duty to the enor-
nous crops of sugar raised in the W
Spanish islands. Cuba and Porto Rico
furnish the United States with nearly or
quite one-half the sugar we consume, and
We are far larger consumers than any
other nation in the world.
To give a free market to this immense
product OF the Spanish plantations at a
moment when Spain is excluding the
products of American farms from her
market would be a policy as unprecedent-
ed as 1t would be unwise. Our trade
with the American republics, as well as
with the West India islands, has been
for many years in a most unsatisfactory
condition. The aggregate balance Of
trade with all the Latin American coun-
tries is heavily against US. A single
Illustration will suffice. Since we repeal
ed the duty on coffee in 1872. we have
imported the products of Brazil to the
extent of 1881 ,806, 900. and have sold to
her only 1856, 1876, 900 of our W pro-
ducts. The difference is 1914, GIL 900.
We have paid in gold or its equivalent,
and Brazil has expended this vast sum
in the markets OF Europe.
You can readily see how different the
results would have been If in return for
the free admission of Brazilian coffee in
our markets we would have exscted free
admission for certain products of the
United States in the Brazilian market.
To repeat this error with sugar Ito an
mou three times as large as with cof-
fee) will close the opportunity to establish
reciprocity of trade with Latin-America.
The charge against the protective policy
which has injured it most is that its bene-
fits % wholly to the manufacturers and
capitalists and not at all to the farmer.
You and | well know this is not true, but
still it is most plausible, and therefore the
most hurttul argument made By the free
traders.
Here is an opportunity where the far
mer can be benefited permanently, un-
deniahly riheiv heaefted Here is an op-
portunity TOT q Republican vvJgrrrs ~
open the market of 40, 000, 900 OF people
- IL. ~-ol.ot. &c A..- ..--
Shall we seize the opportunity, or shall
we throw it away?
| do not doubt that in many respects
the tariff bill pending 10 the senate is
a Just measure and that most OF its pro-
visions are In accordance with the wise
policy Of protection. But there is not a
section or a line in the entire bill that will
open a market for another bushel of
wheat or another barrel of pork. If sugar
is placed on the free list without exacting
important trade concessions in return, we
should close the door for profitable
reciprocity against ourselves.
L think you viii find sone valuable
hints on this subject in the presidents
brief message of June 10, with as much
practical wisdom as was ever stated in so
short a space. Our foreign market for
bread stutfs grows narrower. Great
Britain Is exertiug every move to secure
her bread supplies from India, and the
rapid expansion of the wheat area in
Russia gives US powerful competition in
the markets of Europe. 1t becomes us,
therefore, to use every opportunity for
the extensions OF our market on both
American continents.
With nearly 500, 000, 900 worth of
sugar seeking our market every year we
should prove ourselves most unskilled
legislators if we do not secure a large
field for the sale and consumption of our
breadstuffs and PROVISIONS
The late conference OF American re-
publics proved the existence of a com
mon desire for closer relations. Our
congress should take it up where the in
ternational conference left it. Our fl ID
of commercial development and progress
lies south Of us.