The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-02-12
RECIPROCAL BRAZIL.
One Result Of the Pan-AmeriCan Con-
ference.
~, CAPT. ALMoSr BARSE

A matter has just eliminated which is OF so
much national aud international importance.
and which is certain 10 have such bearing
upon business affairs of the highest interest to
our people, that it is duo to the subject and to
every citizen-for all are cOncerned-that more
than passing notice shall be taken of it OF
course j alude 10 the matter eliminating, so
far as Official action is concerned, in the PFesi'
dents proclamation Of Feb. ), 1891.
The Pan American Conference, called at the
instance of the United States by virtue of an
act of Congress approved May 81, lsSS, after
a session beginning Oct. p 1889. which was
participated in by the accredited representa-
tivcs of II American Republics, finally, with
the concurrence OF one from the little King
dom of the Hawaiian Islands and in which
various definite propositions were considered
looking to closer commercial and political rela-
tons between the nations concerned in tie
Conference, which propositions were passed
upon to the extent OF the powers conferred,
was adjourned without day on the 10Th of
April, 1890 its able and patriotic work being
completed. The efforts aud conclusions Of the
Conference, the most distinguished one of SINH
lar number ever assembled in the New World,
gave impetus aud sanction to what has just
eliminated in proclamation by the President.
The FIST important known attempt to carry
out practically the spirit Of the conclusions Of
the Conference, relating TO reciprocity Of trade,
was made by the Secretary of State, Mr.. Blaine,
while the tariff act approved Oct. l, 1880, was
under consideration in Congress; and the Lord
only knows how much effect the argumentative
supplement OF smashing his excellent plug hat
in committee-room OF the exasperatingIy dig
nifed Senate had to do with his final success.
At any rate, it needed earnestness to lin legis-
lators out OF the old rut, and prevent them
from giving away the duties on sugar, as seven
years before they had done on coffee, hides,
etc, to the extent Of millions annually, with
out SO much as asking for any reciprocal con-
! eessiou whatever. Finally, through influences
which did not originate in what is faeetiously
known as "the wisdom Of Congress" the fol-
lowing section was incorporated in the tariff
act, permitting an effort TO be made by the
Executive to save our financial self-respect,
and a few ducats:
SIC. 3. That, with a view to secure rccip-
rOcal trade with countries producing the fol-
.
after the FIRST day OF January, l-92 whenever
aud so often tire President shall be- satisfied
/ that the Government OF any country producing
and exporting sugars, mOlaSs.s, coffee, tea, aud
hides, raw and uucurcd, or any Of such articles,
imposes duties or other GxaciiOus upon the agri-
cultural or other products Of tho United States,
4 which, in view Of the free introduction Of such
sugar, molasses, coffee, tea, and hides into the
| United States, he may deem to be rCcpTOcalIy
| unequal and unreasonable, he shall have the
4 power, aud IL shall be his duty to suspend, by
proclamation % that effect, the provisions Of
/ this act relating TO the free introduction Of
such sugar, nOias5es coffee, tea, aud hides, the
production Of such country, FOR such time As he
! shall deem just, and in such case and during
such suspension duties shall lie levied, collected
and paid upon sugar, mOlassCs, coffee, tea, aud
/ hides, the product Of or exported from such
| designated country" etc, putting back the
\ duties upon these articles generally as they
were seven years ago.
Brazil being the largest and most pOpulous Of
| the Spanish American Republics, and our trade
| being greatest WItl her, with the greatest bal
ancc against US also. 10 was undoubtedly wise
| and polite 10 secure what Is in the nature Of q
/ reciprocity treaty Of commerce with her FIRST.
/ As the proclamation OF the President informed
the country, greatly 10 its surprise aud TO the
| qualification of all parties, the peaceful and
| equitable act will 20 into operation on the first
day OF April next, only month aud a half
ahead. In consideration Of the continued free
dom from import duties i'm this country Of the
coffee, sugar, mOlasses, aud hides from Brazil
that country admits certain productions Of the
United States into her ports free OF all duty.
whether National, State, or municipal" and
certain others at a reduction of duty Of D per
centum, and agrees :" TO place no undue re
strictious on the importer nor impose any adj
ditiOnal charges or fees therefor the articles
| imported" The articles to be admitted free
are as follows, following in the order in which
they are announced in the proclamation, and 10
the names ! append the figures showing the
values Of the several articles imported into the
United States in ISIS. the latest complete sta
tistics conveniently at hand, and sufficient for
the purpose here intended, viz:
Articles TO be free. Imports from U.