New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-15
LARGFR TRADE NTH MEXICO.

The announcement made in our Washington
dispatches respecting the resumption OF Reel
procity negotiations with Mexico will be re-
ceived with the livelieSt feeling of satisfaction
in the Southwestern States. While there has
been an increase of trade between the two ooun-
tries since the passage of the Mckinley Act a
large measure of commercial union will be far
more effective than tariff legislation in facii-
tatng exchanges. The Administration cannot
adopt a policy that will be more popular in the
Western States, Texas, Louisiana and Alabama
than that of making a special Reciprocity con-
vention with Mexico. The Southern iron and
coal belt the Texas cattle ranches the wheat
and corn sections, the smelling interests of Ne
braslla and Missouri and the railways diyeTg-
ing from the main gatewayS of the Rio Grande
will all welcome the negotiation of 4 treaty.
Popular as the Reciprocity policy already is, it
will be converted into an issue Of commanding
importance in the Southwest by the success Of
Minister Ryan IN making an equitable CONNER
c,a agreement with Mexico.
The negotiations previously conducted by the
State Department have been grounded upon the
Aldrich amendment to the Tariff Act. Large
results have been accomplished, and additional
fore the assembling of Congress. The Admin
istration has made excellent use of the powers
with which it was armed by Congress, and can
not be charged with lack Of skill and patience
IN exhautng the resources of the Aldrich
amendment 1t is evident. however that while
Congress provided most powerful lever for
oDening the markets of the main sugar and coffee
belts to the American export trade it neglected
to enlarge the scope of the amendment so as to
render 1t effective in diplomatic negotiations
with Mexico. If raw fbres had been added TO
the list of tropical produce on which duties may
be reimposed after January 1, 1892 there would
have been sufficient margin for diplomatic
action. Instead Of opening the American mar
ket to fibreS, such as hennequen and kite, con-
ditionally, as was done with coffee, sugar and
hides. the concession was made without reserve
and without an implied necessity for compensa-
tons to American exports. Mexico is not
sugar country under existing conditions and it's
surplus of coffee is not large. There is not
sufficient power in the Aldrich amendment for
securing satisfactory commercial convention
with Mexico.
In these circumstances the Administration
will be justified in going outside the range of
the amendment and in making separate treaty
with Mexico, which will require the sanction
of the Senate, and in its revenue features the
acquiescence of the House of Representatives
az well The limits TO which concessions can
reasonably be granted to the Southern repubIic
are the favors which can be secured in return.
A powerful Nation like the United States can
afford 70 meet It's nearest neighbor less than
half way but it is not called upon to offer
gratuites as was done when It's markets were
opened to raw fibres. An equitable treaty based
on concessions TO the exports of each country on
fair principles of compensation will be mutually
advantageous. No political party in Congress
will venture to onpose the ratification of such