The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-12-04


The foreign trade of 1sS9-90 included the
heavy imports made in anticipation of the
Mckinley laws enactment, and was up to
that time the largest in the history of the
nation, and yet the foreign trade of the
United States during the first twelve
months of McKinleyism has exceeded by
over $4,000, 900 the best previous record.
The October, 1891, foreign trade shows
an excess of merchandise exports and inn
ports Of $50, 900 900, which, added to the ex-
cess in September, makes the improve
ment in trade in our favor in two months
more that $57, 000, 900. For the last three
years the excess of imports for the year
to ISL 600, 600; now the excess of exports
for that period is SAG, 100000. During Oc-
tober the dutiable imports decreased $17,-
365, 900, while the imports free of duty were
Sll. 900 greater than in that month in
1890. The decrease in imports during the
month was $3.50 and the increase in ex-
ports was 81 604. 900.
The following figures permit compari.
son of the balance of trade during the Nc
Kinley year ending October 81, 1891, with
the balances of previous years:
1s90-ls9l. Sos, 004, 915
loo3-IoO ........................-.. 43,oso,oW
ieoo-lSo9 32,5S4,930
In the 1sS7-1SSs year there was balance
against the United States of $44, 549, 4O1.
With the opening of the new year it is
safe to expect a proclamation from the
pras6~pf oytf;nr off froy,, tba b.oa6t. &c
our free list those countries who have de-
clined to make compensatory concessions
in return.
Mexico now imposes on boots and half
boots of cowhide the duty is 100 per pair,
and on boots and half boots of calf 50 per
pair, in addition to which the Mexican
states levy q 5 per cent internal tax The
United States admits Mexican hides, cof-
fee and sugar free, but nothing exported
from the United States escapes from the
Mexican custom-house without the pay
ment of heavy duties.
There is q prospect that q reciprocity
treaty with Mexico will be agreed upon
that will compensate this country for the
free admission of Mexican products, but if
this prospect is not realized the law will
oblige the president to reimpose duties
upon the hides, coffee and sugar of Mexico,
for the Mckinley act distinctly makes it
''his duty to suspend, by proclamation to
that effect, the provisions of the act re-
lating to the free introduction of such"
products whenever he is satisfied that
such country imposes duties ''reciprocally
unequal and unreasonable"
Brazil, Spain and San Domingo have
consented to make US satisfactory return
under the law, and of course, as a matter
of public equity, We cannot continue to
give the same privileges to Mexico, Brazil,
the Argentine Republic and British
West Indies, who thus far decline to
reciprocally relax their tariffs, as we
do TO the countries who have accepted
our offer. If we should give Mexico for
nothing what Brazil has granted conces-
sions to retain, Brazil which exports
s., 600 worth of hides to this country.
and grants us fair return. would very
soon wash her hands of reciprocity. We
must make Mexico and the Argentine
Republic, which are both exporters of
hides in competition with Brazil, toe the
reciprocity mark, or re-impose the tax
on hides of these countries declining to
grant concessions.
The United States cannot allow dis.
elimination against our products without
retaliation, and We are IN a position to
make our threat of retaliation as effective
as it was in the case of Canada, where the
assertion of our protest against Canadas
policy of discrimination in the lumber
business compelled her to remove her duty
IN lopS