The Portland daily press., 1892-12-07

|
annually. In 1885 we had only per cent
of the trade. The following statistics show
the increase in our trade with the countries
with which we had reciprocal trade agree
ments from the date when such agreements
went into effect up to September 80, 1892,
the increase being in some almost wholly
and in others in an important degree, the re-
| suit of these agreements. The domestic re-
ports to Germany and Austria Hungary
| have increased in value from $47,673,756 to
1857. 3,064 an increase of $lO,319, 1908, or
| 2l.63 per cent. With American countries
the value of our exports has increased from
| $44, 160,2S5 to $64,6l3,598, an increase OF
$lO453,3I3 or 1857 per cent. The total
| increase in the value of exports to all the
countries with which we have reci-
procity agreements has been $2O,772,6 21
The increase is chiefly in wheat -four, meat
and dairy products, and in manufactures of
iron and steel and lumber. There has been
a large increase in the value of imports
from all these countries since the CONNER
| cial agreements went into effect, amounting
to $74,294,525 but it has been entirely in
| imports from the American countries, con-
sisting mostly of sugar, coffee, India rub
Der, and crude drugs. The alarmed atten-
ton of our European competitors for the
South American market has been attracted
to this new American policy and to our
acquisition, and their loss, of South Ameri-
! can trade.
The Seals
| A treaty providing for the arbitration of
the dispute between Great Britain and the
United States as to the killing of seals in
Behring sea was concluded on the 29th of
February last. This treaty was accompa-
MED by an agreement prohibiting pelagic
sealing pending the arbitration and Wig
orous effort was made during this season to
drive out all poaching sealers. Six naval
vessels, three revenue cutters and one vessel
from the first commission, all under the
command of Commander Evans were sent into
the sea which was Systematically patrolled
Seizures were made, and it is believed that
the catch in Behring sea by poachers
amounted to less than 500 seals. 1t is time
however, that in the North Pacific, while
the seal herds were on their way to the
passes between the Alentian Islands. very
large number, probably $4,000 were taken,
| The existing statutes of the United States
| do not restrain our citizens from taking seals
| in the Pacific oceap, and perhaps should not,
| unless the prohlDlsion can DC eAeehoeu 10
the cltlzens OF otner nations. l recommend
that power pc given 10 the rresloent' oy
prociamatlon 70 prohlplc tne taxing OF seals
| in the North Pacific by American vessels,
in case either as the result Of the findings
of the tribunal of arbitration or otherwise
the restraint can be applied to the vessels
OF all countries. Inc case OF the united
| state 1or the trlDunai OF aroleratlon mas oeen
proposed with great care and industry by
the bon. Jonn w. roster ana the counsel
who represent TINS government, express con-
hdence tnat resule SUBSTANTIALLY estaDnsn-
ing our CLAIMS ana preserving their srea,
] industry tor the Deneht OF all natlons WILL
be attained.
Re,.t,ons with Canada.
|
During the past year suggestion was
received through the BRUSH minister tha'
the Canadian government would IKE to
confer as to the possibility OF enlarglne
upon terms OF mutual advantage, inc
commercial exchanges OF Canada ana OF the
United States, and conference was nelo al
Washington between Mr. Blame, actlnS Iol
| this government, andsthe BRUSH minister al
this capital, and three members OF the DO
mlnlon cabinet acting as commissioners on
the part Of Great Britain. The conference
developed the TACT that the Canadlan govern
ment was only prepared to OTTER to the
United States an exchange Tor the conces,
slons asked for the admission OF natural
products. The statement was frankly MADE
that favored rates could not be given to the
United States as against the mother country
This admission, which was toreseen, neces-
sarily termated the conference upon tins
question. Some other topics OF interest
were considered IN the conference and nave
resulted in the making OF convention for
examining the Alaskan boundary and the
waters of Passamaquoddy bay, adjacent to
Eastport, Maine, and IN the initiation OF an
arrangement for the protion OF fish life in
the neighboring waters our northern
border.
The controversy as to tolls upon the
Welland canal, which was presented to
Congress at the last session by special mes
sage, having failed of adjustment, felt con
strained to exercise the authority conferred
| by the act OF July rs, 1892, and to pro-
claim suspension of the free use OF st.
Mary's Falls canal to cargoes in transit to
ports in Canada. The secretary OF the
Treasury established such tolls as were
thought to be equivalent to the exac-
| tious uniuStlv levied llDOn Our COM