The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-12-10
SPREAD OF RECIPROCITY.

Mr.. Blaine appears to have set a fashion
which the nations of Europe are following
one after another. Austria has concluded
reciprocity treaties with several of her
neghbors, and Spain is preparing an al
tentative tariff. with one set of duties for
nations which admit Spanish products free
of duty or at low duties, and another for
nations which tax Spanish products with a
view to their exclusion. This is the logical
outcome of the tariff war which first broke
out in Europe thirteen years ago. and into
which all the nations of that continent were
drawn one after the other 1t would have
come sooner or later under any circum-
stances, but the recent treaty negotiated by
the Government at Washington with the
Government at Madrid. following on the
heels of the recent treaty with Brazil, IN
doubtedly precipitated matters.
1t is now announced in the message that
the outlines of a new treaty with Germany
have been agreed upon establishing recipro-
cal tariffs in regard to a number of les
which the United States exchange with
Germany, and notably continuing to admit
German sugar to the benefit of the McKin-
ley Tariff Act on condition that the Impe-
rial Beichstadt reduces by about oue-half
the duties on American cereals. The ad-
vantages Of the treaty will seem to be rather
on the side OF Germany. The United States
Is 10 an extent interested in extending their
markets for cereals. but il Is vital to Ger
many TO get a market into which she can
dump her surplus of sugar For several
years Germany has been making more re-
fined sugar than she could market at price
which left profit over and above the cost
of production. She has been more than
ia
don as low as three cents. II the industry
had been let alone the evil would have cor
rected itself by a reduction in the number
and capacity of the German reineries. I'm
der the operation of the new treaty produc-
ton will probably be kept up. and the sur
plus will come to this country. But the eff
feet of that will be to reduce the price of
sugar to the American consumer, and for
this boon we should be thankful.
A new treaty with France, on the line of
the treaties with Spain and Germany, will
next be in order France has for some time
been sacrificing the interests of her working
class for the benefit of her landowners.
Power now resides in the rural constitu-
encies, which are jealous of the cities They
insist on laws which, while seeming to seek
to advantage the peasantry, really only
benefit the great landowners. Unfor-
tunately for them this years short crop has
given point to the complaint of the work.
ingmen in cities, and the Governments hand
is forced. 1t began to take the back track
on the pork question; the question of for
eign cereals cannot long be delayed. On
both the Government at Washington will
be prepared to meet them, and the end will
probably be a revision Of our reciprocal
tariff There will be some obstacles in the
way, the chief of which will be in the selec-
ton of French products that may be ad-
mitted at lower duties without injury to our
industries. The bulk Of our importations
from France consist of cloths, silks and
dress goods and these the Government at
Washington would not include in a reel
procity arrangement
The people of Canada appear to be very
anxious to fall into line and to negotiate
reciprocity treaty on the lines of the treaty
which was in force forty years ago. Their
wishes do not seem to meet with much re-
spouse at Washington. Representatives of
the northern tier of States do not appear
to be s0licitods 10 divide their home market
with the Canadians, and certain school of
politicians, which views annexation as
Canada's manifest destiny, are OF the opinion
that reciprocity would retard that consum-
nation. The Presidents message will shed
ON this subject light which it needs.