New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-09
EUROPEdN RECIPROCITY.

The formation OF Continent Lollvefeln uhuer
German influence is pacific result OF the fornld-
able military coalitions of recent years. The
three great nations which have united in an
offensive and defensive alliance for maintaining
the peace of Europe by massing their dynastc
interests and military ornaments have adopted
customs system by which they will be brought
into commercial union. Belgium has also been
admitted into this reciprocity alliance and
Switzerland may also be drawn into it. The
treaties have been published simultaneously in
three capitals, and their ratification is confidently
predicted. They will go into operation early
next year for period OF twelve years, and will
have the general effect of cheapening food
products and facilitating a less restricted inter-
change of characteristic manufactures. France
is excluded from the benefits OF the Zollverein.
Commercial union is restricted to those States
which are controlled in their dynastic and diplo-
matte policy from Berlin.
The common features Of this series OF treaties
are reductions of duties on food products and
equitable equivalents in concessions TO special
manufactures. Germany lowers its schedules OF
duties on breadstuffs, meats, swine, butter, malt
and wine-must, on the general theory that its
food production does not suffice for an increas-
ing population. Austria Hungary, whose agri-
cultural products will have by this arrangement
a larger market in Germany, furnishes equiv
alents in reductions of duties on manufactures OF
iron, steel, paper, silk and other fabrics, by
which German exports will be admitted on
preferential terms. Details of the commercial
treaties with Italy and Belgium are lacking, but
the same general principles are embodied in them.
al tariH fnP
special industries, and furnishes an equivalent
in reciprocal concessions either for imported food
products or manufactures. 1t is a general scheme
for promoting the productive and commercial
interests and cheapening the food supplies Of
these Continental States without opening their
markets to France, Russia and Great Britain.
In the main this Zollverein corresponds in
essential features with what has been attempted
on this continent in the Reciprocity policy. The
Pan-Amercan Congress, while declaring that a
Continental customs union on broad basis was
mpractcable strongly advised the negotiation
of Reciprocity treaties between States. The
United States, acting upon this recommendation,
has arranged scheme of partial Reciprocity.
The general effect is similar to that produced in
Europe by the new conventions. Food products
are cheapened in Brazil and the Spanish West
Indies, and also sugar and coffee in the United
States and at the same time, American exports
and manufactures are admitted into Southern
markets on preferential terms. As the Cont
mental countries are close together and have sim
liar products and manufactures, the exchanges
facilitated by diplomacy are not between essen
tally different zones, as on the American Con-
tinent but the general principles OF cheapening
food and providing substantial equivalents for
commercial fayors received underlie both schemes
of Reciprocity.
The effects of the ZOlverein upon the Ameri-
can export trade cannot be Immediately forecast
Europe is so largely dependent upon American
food supplies that these special provisions for
facilitating exchanges on the Continent will not
be likely to diminish exports from this SIDE
Russia and France the chief granaries in
Europe, and these are excluded from the Zou-
yeren which is as hostile to them as the arma-
ments of Germany, Austna-Hungary and Italy
Central Europe may take less pork from the
United States in consequence of the treaties, but
certainly not less -four. If a Reciprocity Treaty
be arranged with Germany on the basis of free
sugar, as now seems highly probable, there will
be substantial gains for American export trade
Preferential trade treaties are the order Of the
day. The most-favored nation clause invented
by Free-Trade England is falling into innOcuous
desuetude.
In reply to wanton attack In yesterday s