New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-21
MORE SUGAR TREATIES AHEAD.

NUKE SUGdh INEdIIEo nHEhD'
The more closely the Reciprocity question
with the BSt;sh sugar islands Is examined the
stronger is our conviction that treaty arrange
ments will be made before the close of the year.
The representatives of jamaica Barbados, Trim
idad. British Guiana and the Leeward and Wind
ward groups have only to be convinced that the
Administration is determined TO enforce the AL
drich amendment and they will accede to the
demand for larger concessions to the American
export trade. They will then unite in bringing
so much pressure to bear upon the British G0V-
eminent that Reciprocity will be carried out.
With what show of consistency can England
interpose veto upon these diplomatic proceed
ings? Her own economic system is based upon
cheap supplies Of food and upon trade under the
fewest possible restrictions Reciprocity as it
affects her West Indian colonies will cheaper
the flour and provisions exported to them from
the United States. 1t will also secure for them
a permanent free market for all their staple
products except oranges and tobacco. IL VIII
remove restrictions upon both their import ana
export trade. While Reciprocity as it affects
the United States does not involve the sacrifice
of the principles of Protection, since it is ground
ed only upon free exchange OF non-oompetng
and unprotected products, it tends wholly IN the
direction OF Free Trade SO far as the islands are
concerned. 1t implies for them lower duties On
food products and fewer restrictions upon for
eign trade If the English Government has any
faith in its own economic system it cannot con-
sistently interpose veto upon the Reciprocity
negotiations
1t will be forced, moreover, to keep its hands
~. of ,in oil tim tion
in the islands. England has neglected its West
Indian Empire for the last halfcentury, and done
nothing since emancipation to protect their one
important industry from runous competition.
Wherever slavery has existed in the New World
it has prevented diveSifcatiOn OF industries. In
Brazil il established coffee, in the West Indies
sugar and in the Southern States cotton, staple
products. After emancipation the planters Of
each belt had To adapt themselves to the con-
ditions of free labor, but in the West Indies
there was added another and almost fatal disad-
vantage. Europe could not supply its own coffee
and cotton, but the development of the beet in
dustry enabled it to dispense with cane-sugar.
The West Indies had practically their single
industry, and it was gradually shut out of the
European market England did nothing to help
the planters, but placed sugars o: all kinds on
equal terms in its ports. At last the American
marke5 alone remained open to West Indian
sugar. A discrimination against it there in favor
of Cuban sugar will be absolutely fatal to the
industry.
A few years ago the United States offered to
admit the sugar OF the British West Indies on
preferential terms. This project, which would
haze been highly favorable to the interests of
the islands, was vetoed by the Foreign and
Colonial Offices A refusal Of Reciprocity in the
present instance will he more disastrous now
than it was then. 1t will involve the closing
against the British West Indies of the only mar
ket where their surplus sugar can be sold. When
Spain has acted SO generously as it has done in
meeting the wishes and requirements of its ewn
colonies respecting Reciprocity, it viii be the
most wanton exercise of Imperial power if the
English colonies are prohibited from entering
into treaty arrangements with the United States.