Wichita eagle., 1890-02-25
OUR TRADE RELATIONS WITH
MEXICO.

corporation in the reciprocity treaty with
Mexico now in course of preparation the
proposed clause admitting silver bearing
ores from that country to this free of
duty, and it is understood these repre-
sentatives have the moral support of the
secretary of the treasury in their efforts
if not his open endorsements 1t will be
remembered that as the representative
of this government. sent to Mexico to
negotiate a commercial treaty with that
country several years ago. General
Grant recommended that all the restric-
tions possible, consistent with the prin-
ciples of equity and justice, to the full
and free Interchange of commodities be-
tween the countries. be removed by this
| government, and, while the reccommen-
dation was not complied with by con-
| gress in thus amending the laws that
govern such matters, still it was acted
upon by the Secretary Of the treasury in
the exercise of his prerogative in making
classifications in the various schedules,
SO that the ore in question (Which is the
principal article of export from that
country to this should pay the mini
mum rate of duty on ores, which was
nominal. The result Of this arrange
ment was to build up lively trade be-
tween the countries, we take the bulk of
their exports and they take largely of
ours, chiefly food products-wheat and
corn, meats and live stock.
Not long after Mr.. Window succeeded
to the control of the treasury the order
of his predecessors, under which the
gratifying trade relations referred to had
sprung up, was rescinded, and in answer
to the demands of the silver miners
above referred to, as it is understood,
the highest rate of duty on silver bear
ing ores from Mexico was reimposed.
When this order was issued its effects
upon the trade relations between the
two countries was so apparent that
Minister Ryan, in the interest of his own
countrymen who he knew would be the
greatest sufferers, left his post at the
City of Mexico and hastened to Wash
ington to show to the administration
what the result would be. 1t
was hoped that his mission would
be successful in restoring the status
quo, but 1t was not and the result that
he so clearly and faithfully warned the
government would follow has already
been realized in large measure, to-wlt:
The volume of exports from Mexico
have fallen off more than half, and the
IF re 1,1fn hat fru
clined to greater extent-the latter the
result of the reinlposition of high import
duties by that government upon our ex
ports.
And while the effects of this CONNER
cial estrangement will be. is being, felt
by this country at large, it is exceeding
ly irksome to the people of Kansas, par
ticularly at the present time of general
commercial and business depression.
This is at once patent to all in
view Of the fact that within the
borders Of Kansas are situated the
largest smelling works in the United
States, if not in the world, which works
take and consume three-fourths of all
the silver ore that has been imported
from Mexico since they were established
and are mainly dependent upon the
Mexican mines for their supplies OF ores.
These works employ and sustain a popu-
lation of three to four thousand, who are
consumers of the products of Kansas
farmers to the extent of their daily re
quiremants for food, furnishing a ''home
market" for our surplus as far as that
local industry can do so. And not only
SO, but by reason Of the commercial rec
iprocity heretofore existing and enjoyed
until the order of revocation mentioned,
the demand for our farm crops, includ-
ing meats and live stock, had grown into
large volume and was increasing every
day, and this demand was supplied al
most entirely by Kansas.
OF course the trade rela-
tions between the two coun-
tries have not been entirely suspended
but the effects of the burdens that have
been reimposed have been to reduce the
volume both ways fully fifty per cent,
while the additional cost of the raw
material-the ore-is seriously Gripping
the extensive industries mentioned in
Wyandotte county. and would undoubt-
edlv have caused their suspension of
operations altogether ere this but for the
hope that the advantageous arrangement
hitherto enjoyed would be restored in a
short time The harmful effects upon
the interests of our farming community
can be better illustrated by quoting a
few items and the rate of import duty |
that has been re-assessed against them |
by the Mexican government in retalia- |
ton for the order restoring the high duty |
on their exports here:
Horses, except geldings, $50 each.
Lambs and sheep, 30c each.
Swine So - each.
Cattle So each.
Mules, So each.
And further placed duty of &c per
pound on fresh meats.
In discussing this matter and the eff |
forts of Minister Ryan in the behalf to
which we referred above. an influential
financial paper published in the City OF
Mexico made the following statements
editorially last fall:
The attitude of the American Minis |
ter, Hon. Thomas Ryan, in regard to !
recent hostile trade rulings of the United /
States treasury department, is to be |
warmly commended. Mr. Ryan has dis |
played a statesman-like independence
and breadth of view in the matter of |
trade relations between this country and |
his own. In his recent letter to the state |
department at Washington, he very sem |
sihlY saws that the nennla of the limited !