Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-06

mines or factories, in exchange for the free
or favored introduction of our products into
other countries.
The obvious efficacy of thi policy in in
creasing the foreign trade of the United
States at once attracted the alarmed atten-
tion of European trade journals and boards
of trade. The British Board of Trade has
presented to that Government a memorial
asking for the appointment of commission
to consider the best means of counteracting
what is termed ''the commercial crusade of
the United States" AT a meeting held in
March last of the Associated Chambers OF
Commerce of Great Britain, the President
reported that the exports from Great
Britain TO the Latin American countries
during the last year had decreased S23, 100, :
600, and that this was not due to temporary
causes, but directly to the reciprocity pol
icy of the United States. Germany and
France have also shown their startled ap-
probation of the fact that a new and vigorous
contestant has appeared In the battle of the
markets. and has already secured important
advantages.
Forced Into Reciprocal Trade Agreements.
The most convincing evidence of the tre-
mendous commercial strength of our posi-
tion is found in the fact that Great Britain
and Spain have found it necessary to make
reciprocal trade agreements with us for their
West India colonies, and that Germany and
Austria have given us important concessions
In exchange for the continued free importa-
tion of their beet sugar. A few details only
as to the increase of our trade can be gwen
here. Taking all the countries with which
arrangements have been made, our trade to
June 80, 1892, had increased %. rs per cent;
L.o. 1
cent; with Cuba, during the first ten months,
our exports increased S5,702, 1893, or 81. So
per cent, and with Porto Rico $500, ,59S, or
"a per cent The liberal participation of our
farmers in the benefits of this policy is
shown by the following report from our
Consul General at Havana, under date of
July 26 last: g.
During the first half year of 1891 Havana
received 1900 bags OF flour from Spain, and
other ports of the island about an equal
amount, or approximately 2SO, lis bags.
During the same period Havana received
1870 bags of American flour and other ports
approximately equal amount, making
about 2S, 900 bags. But for the first half of
this year Spain has sent less than H. 600 bags
to the whole island, and the United States
has sent to Havana alone 16s, 4s7 bags and
about an equal amount to other ports of the
island making approximately S37 900 bags
for the first half of 1892.
Great Increase In Several Exports
Partly by reason of the reciprocal trade
agreement, but more largely by reason of
the removal of the sanitary restrictions
upon American pork, our export of pork
products to Germany increased during the
ten months ending June 30 last s., ,025, ,074,
or about 81 per cent
The British Trade Journal, of London, in a
recent issue, speaking of the increase of
American coal exports and of the falling of
of the English coal exports to Cuba, SAYS:
1t is another case of American competi-
tion. The United States now supply Cuba
with about l50. 900 tons or coal annually, and
there is every prospect OF this trade in
creaSing as the forests of the island become
exhausted and the use of steam machinery
on the sugar estates is developed. Alabama
coal, especially, is securing reputation in
the Spanish West Indies, and the river and
rail improvements of the Southern States
Will undoubtedly create an important gulf
trade. The new reciprocity policy by which
the United States are enabled TO import
Cuban sugar viii, of course, assist the Amer
lean coal exporters even more effectively
than the new lines of railway.
The Democratic platform promises re-
peal of the tariff law containing this pro-
vision, and especially denounces as sham
reciprocity that section of the law under
which these trade arrangements have been
made. If no other issue were involved in
the campaign this alone would give it mo
mentouS importance. Are the farmers of
the great grain growing States willing to
surrender these new, large and increasing
markets for their surplus? Are we to have
nothing in exchange for the free importa-
ton of sugar and coffee, and at the same
time 10 destroy the sugar planters of the
South and the beet sugar industry of the
Northwest and of the Pacific coast; or, are
we to have the taxed sugar and
coffee. which tariff for revenue only"
necessarily involves, with the added loss of
the new markets which have been opened
As | have shown, the commercial circles in
Europe do not regard the reciprocity policy
as a ''sham," but as a serious threat to a
trade supremacy they have long enjoyed.
They would reioIce-and if prudence did
not restrain, would illuminate their de-
pressed manufacturing citles-over the news
that the United States had abandoned its
system of protection and reciprocity. They
see very clearly that restriction of Ameri-
can prod Icts and trade and corresponding
increase OF European production and trade
would follow, and l will not believe that
what is so plain toshem can be hidden from
our own people
Fiat Footed Declaration for Protection.
The declaration of tke platform in favor
meets my most hearty approval The con-
yention did not adopt a schedule, but
principle that is to control all tariff sched-
uIes There may be differences of opinion
among protectionists as to tine rate upon
particular articles necessary to effect an
equalization between wages abroad and at
home. In some not remote national cam
paigns the issue has been-or, more cor
rectly, has been made to appear to be-be-
tween high and a low protective tariff,
both parties expressing some solcitous re-
gard for the wages of our working people
and for the prosperity of our domestic in
duStrles. But under q more courageous
leadership the Democratic party has now
practically declared that, if given power, it
will enact tariff law without anv regard
to its effect upon wages or upon the capital
invested in our great industries. The
majority report of the Committee on Plat
form TO the Democratic National Conven-
tion at Chicago contained this clause:
That when custom house taxation Is
levied upon articles of any kind produced in
this country the difference between the cost
OF labor here and abroad, when such diff
terence exists, fully measures any possible
benefits TO labor and the enormous addition
al impositions of the existing tariff fall
with crushing force upon our farmers and
workingmen.
Here we have distinct admission of the
Republican contention that American work
ingmen are advantaged by a tariff rate
equal to the difference between home and
foreign wages, and a declaration only
against the alleged additional impositions''
of the existing tariff law.
An Inconsistency Pointed Out.
Again, this majority report further de-
clared:
But in making reduction in taxes, it is
not proposed to fnjure any domestic indus
tries but rather TO promote their healthy