The morning call., 1890-06-20
RECIPROCITY.
A Pan American Resolution
Referred to Congress.
Plan TO Form a Customs Union With
EeiShbOriDS Republics.
The President Expresses Himself on the Sub
jeGt-Blaine'S Reply to The
MilleTS.
Special Dispatches to THE MORNING CALL.

WASHINGTON, June 19.-The President
transmitted to Congress to-day letter from
Secretary Blaine upon the subject of the
Customs Union and recommendations in
respect thereof by the Pan-American Con-
ference. Blaine suggests an amendment to
the Tariff Bill authorizing the President to
declare the ports of the United States free
to the products of any American nation
upon which no export duties are charged as
long as such nation shall admit free to its
ports the manufactures and products of the
United States.
The President in transmitting the COM
munication, says: ''It has been so often
and persistently stated that our tariff laws
offered an insurmountable barrier to a
large exchange of products with the Latin
American nations that l deem it proper to
call especial attention to the fact that more
than 81 per cent of the products of those
nations that are sent to our ports are now
admitted free. If sugar is placed upon the
free list practically every import article eX-
ported from those States will be given un-
taxed access to our markets except wool.
The real difficulty in the way of negotiat-
ing profitable reciprocity treaties is
that we have given freely SO much
that would have had value in
the mutual concessions which such
treaties imply. 1 cannot doubt however,
that the present advantage which the prod
ucts of these near and friendly States enjoy
in our markets, though they are not by law
exclusive, will, with other considerations.
favOraby dispose them to adopt such meas
ures, by treaty or otherwise, as Will tend TO
equallZe and greatly en- large our mutual ex-
changes. 1t will certainly be time enough
for us to consider whether we must cheaper
the cost of production by cheapenlng
labor in order to give access to South
American markets, when we have falr-
ly tried the effect of established
convenient methods Of money exchange.
There can be no doubt, l think, that with
these facilities well established, and with
rebate of the duties upon imported raw
materials used in the manufacture of goods
for eXIOrt, our merchants will be able to
compete in the ports of the Latin American
nations with those of any other country.
If, after Congress shall have acted upon the
pending tariff legislation, it shall appear
that under the general treaty-maklng
powers, or under any special powers given
by law, our trade with the States repre-
upon basis of material advantage, it Will
be promptly DONE"
Secretary Blaine to-day received a tele-
gram from the Chairman of the National
Millers' Convention at Minneapolis saying
that the miilers are greatly agitated over
the report of an additional duty OF so cents
per barrel to be imposed on American flour
in Cuba, thus prohibiting an American flour
trade, and asking for information. Secre-
tary Blaine replied that he had no official
advice on the subject but if it was correct
the advance would make the duty So 81 per
barrel. which is evidently intended by Spain
to be prOhi6itory. He added:
" 1t has been constantly said here for the
last six months that Western farmers de-
mand the unconditional repeal of the sugar
duty. 1t is within the power of the West
ern farmers, by encouraging system of
reciprocity, to secure, in exchange for the
repeal of this duty, the free admission Of
their breadstuffs and provisions into the
markets of forty millions of people, lnclud-
ing Cuba. In my opinion this is the most
profitable policy for Western farmers"