The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-02-06
BRAZILIAN RECIPROCITY.
AGREEMENT UNDER The CLAUSE
OF THE TARIFF LAW.

Proclamation Of the President tnnounc-
ian and United states Commerce
Article. Embraced by IL.
WASHINGTON, Feb. j.-The first agree =
ment under the reciprocity clause Of the
new tariff law between this country and
the south American Republics has been ac-
complished between the United States and
Brazil. The agreement was approved by
the President several days ago, and the
proclamation to that effect was to have
been issued last Monday but for the fact
that President FOnseca, ofBrazil, requested
a slight delay. The proclamation was ac-
companied by a message to Congress, in
which the President stated the advantages
to be gained by a reciprocity OF trade.
The agreement will 90 into effect on the
first day Of next January. Ii is the direct
result Of the amendment proposed by
senator Aldrich 10 the Mckinley Tariff bill,
and which is now part OF that measure.
This amendment. II will be remembered,
gave t. the President the power, and made
II his duty to suspend, by proclamation, the
free Introduction into this country Of sugar,
mOlasses. coffee, tea and hides, from any
C luntry from which these articles were I'M
ported, which imposed unequal and uniea-
sOnabe duties upon the agricultural ard
other products Of the United States. In
stead of free entry. the President was en-
powered to impose "A duty of from seven
tenths Of a cent TO two cents pound on the
various grades Of sugar, respectively. On
moasses, of cents gallon; on coffee, .
cents pound; on tea, 10 cents pound,
and On hides, / y cents per pound.
When this provision became Il W the bal
ance OF trade between the United states and
Brazil was largely in favor Of the latter
country. Last year, in the single item OF
coli e., which has been on the free list since
lr13. this country imported SlJ.GO,OOO
worth, while the ports Of Brazil were closed
tO American products. The Brazilian Gov
eminent realized that il must make some
concessions II il hoped 10 continue in pos
session Of the custom Of the United states,
and negotiations were az once entered into. |
Under the agreement coffee. tea, sugar, !
mDla-se-, and hides viii continue on the |
Tree II. Al present the consumption Of
sugar IN this country Is about ,OOO,OCO tons, /
IF which 2s0,OOO tons IL produced IN the |
southern States, and in the sorghum and /
maple sugar districts: 100000 tons comes /
liNlll ' NIt ana ! Nl ~ iNiNDs buu i-rf''' t'h' I
comes from Brazil. the fact that the rO-
duction Of sugar in Brazil l. languishing |
was another important factor in the nego-
tiatiOns. It's believed nOw that under tue
influences Of free imports Bra
iii will send this year at least 2OJ,OO tons.
next year 100000 tons, and that within
three years, or five years at the furihest.
BfaIil will furnish. il necess ~, every
pound of sugor used i'm the United states.
Its sugar district is large enough 10 produce
This immense quantity just a. soon rs tn
market is afforded The result Will be "a
m .rked reduction in the price Of sugar for
very consumer in this country.
Not only does Brazil place a great many
Amei lean article, on It's Tree list. but il has
D. cen arranged that ON other articles, ln the
oi which Europe compete-
with this country, tine tarih will be lowered
JOB our favor tO am extent which viii make
.t more profitable for BraziIiaus 70 import
goods from this country than from Europe.
This discrimination is 10 be shown, OF
course. only 10 the nited states, the tlrih
jn European articles remaining unchanged.
It's understood that similar agreements
with Cuba and Venezuela are also being
NEGOTIATED.