New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-24
RRAZIL AND THE TREATY.

On another page will be found an admirably
written and weighty communication on the
treaty with Brazil for which we gladly make
room in our crowded columns 1t is from tho
hand of the Brazilian Consul at Havana, who Is
now enioving a vacation in the United States.
II nresents q conservative and almost critical
view of some of the phases of the military up
rising in his country, which involved the down
fall of the Emperor and a transition period of
speculative activity and extravaganza. AS the
financial disasters of the Argentine gave timely
warning of the consequences OF break neck
order of progress, there has been reaction
against the speculative tendencies of the first
wear of the republic. The Consul so far from
despairing of his country, is confident that the
worst has passed, and that under rigorous
policy Of retrenchment the characteristic national
traits of caution and moderation will be dis
plaved "Wat little' and Be patient" are
phrases constantly used in Brazil. Whatever
NAV have been the financial excuses and spec
ulative vagaIieS of the last year, those who have
practical acquaintance with the institutions and
habits of thought of the people will be certain
TO accept without reserve the COnsurs forecast
of a coming era of stability and conservatism.
This remarkable letter is written for Ameri-
cans, and contains some striking comments upon
the Reciprocity Treaty and the labOriOuS strug-
Gle which lies before them in competing with
European manufacturers and merchants. lie
regards the convention as one of the best com
mercial bargains ever made by an American
Administration, and evidently thinks that Bra
I'll was unduly generous in its concessions to the
United States. If the Consul wait a few months
he will be in a better position to form we'll
balanced Judgment on this question. The Reel
procity policy is only partly developed. When
the end of the year is reached and the Admins
tration can avail itself of the power conferred
upon it of discriminating in favor of coffee coun-
tries which accept Reciprocity and against those
which refuse to enter into equitable engage
ments Brazil's advantages from its diplomatic
work will be plain He leaves out of account
the fact that duty of cents a pound can be
levied next year on the coffee product of com
peting Southern nations. This will ba on the
basis of recent impOrtations a discrimination of
S1,722614 against Venezuela; of 1923, 1868
against Central America of $500, 009 against
Mexico; and S706,467 against the British West
Indies, Hayti and Colombia If the Consul will
wait little and be patient he will perceive that
Brazil has nothing to complain of in the compact
which has been made. Indeed, if rubber had
been included in the Reciprocity amendment as
it ought 10 have been, larger concessions might
equtably have been asked.
The warning which the accomplished Consul
sounds against a cledulOus assumption on the
part of Americans that they have carried every
thing before them in negotiating the treaty is
oh oil
We have always expressed the view that while
Reciprocity offered favorable conditions for en-
larging the export trade, it could not take the
place Of mercantile energy and shipping enter
prise The way for Americans to compete with
Eur peans in Southern markets is to compete.
They must improve their steamship communica-
tons, establish wholesale houses in brazilian
coast towns, and estab ish banking facilities
which will release their trade from dependence
upon London exchange. Everything which the