The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-11-15
RECIPROCITY.

RECIPROCITY.
WASHINGTON, Nov 1.-THE department
of state is steadily pursuing its policy of
enlarging the markets for American pro-
ducts in foreign countries by means of
agreements underth reciprocity provision
of the Mckinley act. The subject which
is engaging attention at present is the re-
lstions between the United States and the
British West Indies and Guiana. Sir
Julian Pauncefote, who has charge of the
negotiations in behalf of the British gov
eminent, is availing himself of the expert
knowledge of Sir Nevill Lubbock, chair
man of the London West Indies committee
of the sugar producers, who is now in
Washington. Representatives of the
British colonies of Jamaica and Barbados
are now on their way TO Washington 10
furnish the British minister here with
such special information as may be useful
in the negotiation of an agreement
Sir Nevill Lubbock was in Washington
in 1854 as a commissioner to negotiate a
reciprocity treaty with the United States
for the British West Indies, aud the work
progressed TO point where the document
was ready to be sent TO the senate and was
printed coniidenually in England. II was
dropped. however, because the United
States. in return for the free admission of
sugar from the British West Indies, asked
tariff concessions more favorable than
were extended TO any other country, even
including England. The result WAS also
influenced in some degree by the incoming
Of the Cleveland administration.
''The reciprocity section of the McKin-
lev BILL said Sir Nevill TO a reporter,
gives the president power 10 reimpOse the
duties on sugar, coffee, hides, etc, when
imported from any country which exacts
from the United States upon imports of
agricultural or other products duties that
he may deem TO be 'reciprOcally unequal
and unreasonable Ny mission in Wash
ingtOn Is TO endeavor 10 show the presi-
dent and the secretary of state that the
British West Indies do not impose upon
Imports from the United States duties
that are unequal or unreasonable, when
compared with the tariff imposed upon
imports from other countries In other
words, We viii give to articles imported
by as from the United States the same
privileges and advantages that we afford
10 goods even imported from Great Brit
ain. =
But the reciprocity arrangement carries
with il q suggestion that in return for the
admission OF sugar the United States shall
receive some benefits"
so far as the British West Indies are
concerned that was proper position for
the United States TO assume in 1884. when
Ii agreed to receive our sugar free of duty
as against tariff of SO 10 the ton levied
against sugar from other countries. But
the conditions now are different An
sugars are coming Ia free so that no favor
can be shown to Us. The best that the
United States can do is TO put Us on AL
equality with other sugar-prOducing couu-
tries. In return for this we can guarantee
10 the United States that we viii not dis
Criminate against IL IN importing Amer
lean goods
"W hat VIII happen If no agreement IS
reached and the duties here are REIN
poseds"
I'VE will send all our sugar 10 the Unit
ed Kingdom, where we viii find a market
for it. At present We send ali of il TO the
United States except the Demarar sugar,
which is fancy grade. and which goes 10
England. / have no hesitation N saying