The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-07-15
BLA1NE,s pLE1 AGAINST FREE SUGAR.
ne Says we should Not Open Our Mar
keta TO This Product without EHAetinE
Important Trade Concessions in Return.


Important Trade Concessions In Return
WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE following letter
from Secretary Blaine has been received to-
day by Senator FRYE:
BAR HARMON. Me-. July II, 1890.
DEAR MIR. FRYE: 1 havo just received intel
lieence from the highest commercial authority
in Havana that American -four. under tho new
duties imposed by Spain, cannot reach the
Cuban market under a cost OF tll.46 per bar
rel. counting tho shipping price In New York
at $3.50 rer barrel. Spain holds the market
for herself and is able to send European -four
at a price which totally excludes tho American
flour from the markets OF Cuba and Porto Rico
Other articles OF American growth are likewise
taxed by Spain to tho point OF prohibition.
This one-sided commerce will seriously injure
the shipping routes which are still in Ameri-
can hands largely II not exclusively.
1t would certainly be q very extraordinary
policy on the part OF our Government Just at
this time TO open our market without charge
or duty to the enormous crops OF sugar raised
In the two Spanish islands. Cuba and Porto
Rico furnish the United States with nearly or
quite one half OF the sugar which We consume.
and we arc far larger consumers than any
other nation in the world. To give free mar
ket to this immense product OF the Spanish
plantations at the moment Spain Is excluding
tho products Of American farms from her mar
ket would be policy as unprecedented as 1t
would BIO unwiso.
Our trade with the American republics. ss
well as with the West India Islands, has boon
for many years In a most unsatisfactory con-
diton. The aggregate balance OF trade with
all Latin America Is heavily against us. A
single illustration will suffice. Since we re-
peaed the duty on coffee in 1872 We have i'm
rtnl . lA, n 10 n nj
1921 SOC, 900. and have sold TO her only $780,
1885, 900 OF our own products. The difference
1864 ,871 OOO-we have paid In gold or its
equivalent, and Brazil has expended the vast
ily see how different the result would have
been II In return for the free admission Of
brazilian coffee In our markets et we mao e6 Z;
the United States In the brazilian market. To
repeat this error with sugar to an amount
all opportunity to establish reciprocity OF trade
with Latin America
The charge against the protective policy
which has Injured it most is that its benefits
go wholly to the manufacturer and the capital:
ist and not at all 10 the farmer. You and we'll
most plausible and therefore the most hurtiul
argument made by the free trader. Herei an op-
primarily, undenably, richly benefited. Here
open tho markets Of 4UOC0OOO OF people to the
products OF American farms. Shall we seize
tho opportunity or shall We throw it away!
| do not doubt that in many respects tho
Tariff bill pending In the senate is a Just meas
ure, and that most OF its provisions are in ac-
cordance with the wise policy of protection.
But there is not n section or u line in the en-
tire bill that will open II market for another
bushel of wheat or another barrel OF PORK. II
sugar is now placed on the free list without ex-
acting important trade concessions In return,
we shall close the door for n profitable recipro-
city against ourselves | think you will find
some valuable hints on this su beet IN the Pres
ident's brief message Of juno -. with rs much
practical wisdom as was ever stated in so short
q space.
Our foreign market for breadstufTs grows
narrower GIeRt Britain IS eXerting every
nerve TO secure her bread supplies from India,
and tho rapid expansion OF the wheat area In
Russia gives us n powerful competitor in the
markets OF Europe. 1t becomes US. therefore.
to use every opportunity for the extension Of
our market on both OF the American CONT
nents. With nearly $lOO.0UU,0OO worth OF sugar
seeking our market every year, We shall prove
ourselves most unsklled Legislators II we do
not secure large field for the sale and con-
sumption OF our br:adslufHs and provisions.
Tie late conference Of American republics
proved the existence OF q common desire for
closer relations. Our Congress should take up
the work where the International Conference
left It, Our field OF commercial development
and progress lies south Of us. Very sincerely
yours, JAMES II. BLAINE
Hon. W. P. FRYE, United States Senate.