Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-07-01
TRADE WITH SOUTH AMERICA.
Ii lie Expected That six Treatie. VIII Have
Beea Completed When Congress Meets.

Beea Completed When Congress Meets.
IL is expected that by the time Congress
meets there viii have been six reciprocity
treaties completed. The one with Brazil has
long since been announced. that with Spain,
relating chiefly to Cuba, has been signed, and
dispatches from Spain say that its provisions
are to be made public on the lst Of August In
addition to these the President has now in his
possession awaiting hisapproval treaties under
stood to be with Colombia and Peru These
are similar TO that with Brazil-not, strictly
speaking reciprocity treaties, but offers on the
part of the foreign nation of certain privileges
In consideration Of our not Withdrawing priyi-
leges Of trade already granted. On account OF
the state Of her finances Peru cannot afford to
offer much that will reduce her revenues, but
she has managed 10 propose such concessions
rs will probably be acceptable to this govern
ment under the circumstances.
Two other treaties pending. which are ex-
pected TO be soon completed are. with Guate-
msla and the small but prosperous republic Of
Costa Eica- Both OF these governments pro-
posed reciprocity treaties with the United
States when the South American commission
vas there In lss5. Guatemala is as eager as she
was at that time for q treaty. and desires but
little more than the continuation of the privi-
leges now extended TO her chief articles Of i'm
portation and the maintenance of a friendly
disposition toward her by the United States.
As these two things are about all that can be
offered by President Harrison under the
'.reciprocity'' provision Of the Mckinley bill
the opportunity of an agreement here are
peculiarly fortunate, and the agreement is
almost accomplished
There Is more Of doubt about the Costa
Rican treaty. II is not certain that an agree
ment can be reached. though one is expected.
In lss5 the only thing Guatemala asked in
return for the free admission of many OF our
products into her ports was the continuation
Of our free list which included most Of the ex-
ports from that country, and. in addition, the
free admission Of sugar and tobacco The
president of Guatemala expressed particular
desire that sugar should be admitted free, the
desire being to encourage the production Of
sugar there in exportable Quantities. Now that
sugar u on the free listj to maintain it there
Guatemala. it is said. 10 willing to grant liberal
concessions to the United States without stick
ling over free tobacco. In consideration of a
promise OF permanency Of our present free
list. including sugar, Guatemala will probably
agree To admit free of duty coal. raw cotton,
refined petroleum. wooden furniture. -four.
agricultural implements, cured and preserved
meats, fruits and vegetables. dressed lumber,
hardware. building lime tile live stock. pro-
visions and lard and other articles of general
consumption produced in this country, besides
tools and machinery. Costa Rica is willing
enough, il Is said. To make concessions TO U.s.
but che wants more in return than the Mckin-
lev bill will permit.