, 1891-07-25

has to pay somewhat higher prices for his ma
terial, he is still upon an equality with his
fellow manufacturers, who lave to do the same.
For the foreign markets of the world he obtains
his raw material about as cheap as the foreign
manufacturer 1t may be here noted that the prl-
ces in Europe and the United States for every
thing, draw closer and closer together. In
recent times, steel rails, for instance, have
sometimes been quite as cheap in New York
as in London, and very often as cheap as foreign
rails could have been imported to New York
free Of duty. When the demand is great in
Europe and prices of coal, coke, iron-stone and
labor rise abnormally, and there happens to
be no corresponding great demand upon this
side of the Atlantic, prices will not be found
much, if any, greater here. Indeed some arti-
cles have been cheaper here than abroad with
in the past three years; and when Britain has
the next 'boom,'' if America be quiet indutri-
ally, prices here of more articles than before
will be cheaper than with her.
| do not think that any of my readers can
fail to note that this clause refundlng duties
must have considerable influence upon the
forei On trade of the United States in manufac-
tured articles. But the bill III question
has another feature about which | think that
Europe will become more and more concerned
that which is called the "lteciprocity Clause"
Our vigorous Secretary of State, Mr.. Blaine, IS
the father of the reciprocity idea, which proml-
ses to strengthen his already commanding posi-
ton among our statesmen.
The American market is 50 great and so
desirable that the Government has something
to offer in exchange for reciprocity which must
tempt many nations, especially those of South
America. The Republic has taken of the pro
ducts Of these South American Republics and
Cuba about $113, OOO, 900 per annum, and sent
them Of its product less than $50, O00,0 900 per
annum. The offer made to Brazil, to admit
some Of it's product duty free in return for the
admission Of American cereals and manufac-
lures at greatly reduced duties has resulted IN a
treaty upon this basis. Hereafter, the Ameri-
can farmer has a better market In Brazil TOR
his grain and the American manufacturer has
anew market for his products, his foreign com
petitor being subject to duties upon similar ar
ticles % per cent higher than he.
But the most notable illustration of the
forcU Of this reciprocity clause is found in the
case of Cuba. If Cuban products are not to
reach American markets, what is to become
of Cuba? The point need not be pressed; tits
sufficient to know that Spain had promptly to
revolutionize its policy in regard to that island.
Hitherto the tax upon American flour was so
great that it was actually supplied to CUBA
Though Spaln. Hereafter not q Darfel can come
from the parent land. Spain, up to this time
had not learned from Britain how afondmother,
more fond than wise perhaps, could favor her
children and protect her colonies not for her
own, but for their welfare, motherlike demand
ing nothing in return. All articles from Spain
reached Cuba free of duty, or at nominal rates
of duty; similar articles from other countries
had to pay exorbitant duties-hour, for IN
stance, more than its value. Upon the passage
of the Mckinley bill Cuba was in an uproar, in
which all classes joined, and a delegation was
sent at once to Madrid. It was simply this:
FREEDOM for Cuba to enter into reciprocity
with the Republic, or a request from Cuba to
Washington that she be permitted to enter
the Republic herself, and of course Spain
capitulated. At one blast of the trum
pet the wall of diferential duties which
had held Cuba Town fell to the ground.
Cuba will hereafter be of as little
good to Spain as Canada is to Britain: nay,
may and probably will become the source of
serious trouble and danger to Spain, without
the possibility of being any good to her: and,
again may add. as Canada is and probably
will become to Britain.
While Cuba in the south arrays itself in the
mantle of reciprocity and enters the fold,
Canada in the north has asked for a conference
at Washington, hoping that the garment may
be fitted for her. But the reply has not been
cordial; she is kept waiting at the door until
GlatOhar xDha~ che ~ooxx Ia ~oCO;L4o1 - J.