Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-15
RECIPROCITY rRrArrs.x
Good Progress In Essabiishine Rcciprecs1
Trade Relations I'm Europ>


Good Progress In Essabiishiu~ Reciprocs1
Trade Relations I'm Esrops
The negotiations looking 10 the opening Of
European markets 10 our agricultural products
upon more liberal basis have probably not
advanced a. far as indicated BY some of the
publications on the subject. but these neeo-
tintions are much more comprehensive and Of
greatly more Consequence than the public has
inferred The administration 10 making an
effort TO secure larger European market for
our farm products by actual reciprocity treat
les, and there is possibility Of the estAblish-
ment OF relations between this country and
several countries Of Europe which viii amount
substantially 10 q commercial alliance. such
an alliance is not an accomplished fact hut the
outlook seems favorable for an agrceneus
which will greatly expand our European mar
kct for farm products. The 90 called recip-
rccity treaties with South American republics
are not strictly speaking treaties hut are
merely agreements on the part Of the foreign
countries to make certain concessions 20 the
United States TO preserve privileges already
enjoyed.
This same plan will probably operate 70 q
greater or less extent in Europe TO secure 20 the
United States concessions in consideration Of
the benefit derived from the free admission 81
one or the other of the four or Eve articles adj
mitted free conditionally by the Mckinley bill
IL dces not appear, however. that any very
gredAexpansion Of our European market can be
accomplished in this way. IL is expected that
most or all of the European countries which
now enforce a prohibition against the Ameri-
can hog will follow the xample of ermsny and
repeal the restriction on about the same terms
as those agreed TO with Germany. T'-is may come
SLOWLY, as European governments are not In the
habit OF acting hastily In such matters, but 10
Is almost certain to come. Following this will
probably come some concessions under negotia-
tons relating TO the reciprocity" CLAUSE Of the
Mckinley bill. But what can be accomplished
under the restrictions of this act are Of but
secondary importance. IL all that is nov under
way is fully accomplished there viii be
reciprocity agreements between the United
States and Germany, France, Russia, Italy,
Austria and Hungary-several or all Of them
which Will require Legislative action by each Of
the countries concerned. Ii is entirely prob
able that the President will recommend 20 this
Congress the granting OF certain concessions
by reciprocal agreement with some Of the
countries named. and that, from the first
step toward reciprocity with south Amer
lea made in the Mckinley bill, will de-
velop reciprocity treaties with European
countries which will open come of the best
markets OF the world and establish closer and
freer commercial intercourse with these coun-
tries than has been thought possible without
the abandonment of the protective policy
The reduction of the tariff according 20 tins
plan viii be met IN every case by the
expansion OF the European market for Ameri-
can wheat corn, rye, four and preserved meats.
This IL reaching tariff reform by a new route
II does not contemplate the abolition Of duties,
but their reduction. The negotiations which
are expected to accomplish this have not ad-
vanced far enough 20 warrant the assumption
that there will be no hitch and that all that the
new policy contemplates will be at once se-
cured, but IL is the opening mp Of n new for
eign policy, which gives considerable promise
for the future.