Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-03-17


Walker "free trade" tariff, for in 1899
they took $3.50 per cent. of our domestic
exports, whereas in 1860 they took only
1928 per cent. Five of those countries
Great Britain, Germany, France, Bel
GUM and the Netherlands-took TAG
per cent. of our exports last year, or
more than three-fourths, while Great
Britain alone took 1852 per cent, or
nearly one-half. The five countries
named took 1857 $780, 900 in round fig
ures out of total Of LOIS, 100000 ex-
ported
And yet the Republican tariff sched-
ules from beginning to end are con-
structed in spirit of hostility to those
countries whose ''pauper laborers" buy
much the greater part of what we have
to sell. Last year we imported from
them goods to the value of less than
1928, 100000, or nearly $65, 900, 900 less
than one-half the value of the COM
modities they bought from US. Our ex-
ports to them exceeded our imports from
them by $45S, 100000. We sold them
$3.50, SO0,0 600 worth more last year than
we did the year before, but bought from
bureau of statistics seems to delight in
this showing, because perhaps it is an
outcome of the Republican policy of
reciprocity"
Speaking of reciprocity, Chief Brock
devotes considerable space to the sub
ject. He gives a table to begin with,
showing the changes in our trade with
the countries south of us in 1892 as COM
pared with 1891 and 1890. This table
shows an excess of imports from all
those countries over exports of $780,
100000 in 1892, $15s, 900, 900 in 1891 and
sos, 1000, 900 in 1890. This is a progressive
increase in the "adverse balance" since
the inception Of the reciprocity dickers.
There was an increase of less than So
600, 900 in our exports to those countries
in 1892 over 1890 and an increase of $780,
600, 900 in our imports from them.
1t is true that we have reciprocity
dickers with only part of them, but
the case is found to be no better when
we examine Mr.. Brooks tables relating
to the dicker countries and covering the
periods, ranging from four to eighteen
months, during which the arrangements
have been in force, as compared with
corresponding periods before. These ta-
bles show that our exports to those
countries increased from SOL 800, 900 to
$112, 100000, or about $50 800, 900, while
our imports from them increased from
1896, 100000 to $3.50, 100000, or about
500, 200, 000-that is, our trade with them
has been $72, 400, 900 more "adverse' than
it was before. This is perhaps suffi-
| cient commentary upon Mr.. Brooks re-
| mark in introducing another series of
tables that they show "the desirability Of
| cultivating such relations with them (the
Latin American countries) that our eX-
ports to them will more nearly equal our
| imports from them-in other words, that
| the exchange of commodities between us
shall be more nearly equal" The reci-
| procity dickers were avowedly intended
| to cultivate such relations, and Mr..
Brock has given us the results.
The statistician seems to appreciate to
some extent the force of his tabular ex-
| hibits, for he says: "When lines of ship
| ping are more fully inaugurated, COM
mercial relations more closely estab-
lished, and the countries south Of US be-
come more familiar with our products
and methods of business, and our manu-
facturers more carefully consult the
tastes and wishes of southern buyers,
our exports will undoubtedly largely in
crease. Thus the result of reciprocity
will be enlarged markets for our agri-
cultural and manufacturing (sic) prod
| ucts and increased employment for our
ships"
So, then, the excess Of imports which
has been growing greater very fast I'M
der reciprocity is to be reduced by sub
sidizing ships to carry exports from the
United States to southern countries
But when Mr.. Brock comes to deal with
the subject of shipping he informs US
that 29.42 per cent. of our imports from
the southern countries and 5146 per
cent. of our exports 60 them are carried
now in American vessels, while only
0.99 per cent. of our imports from and
1.39 per cent. Of our exports to Europe
are carried in American vessels. Put
this along with the fact that our trade
with Europe is $3.50, 900 900 in our favor,
while our trade with the southern coun-
tries is Sill, 100000 against US, and we
do not discover much ground for the
opinion that the ownership of the ships
has much to do with the balance of trade
Taken altogether, Mr.. Brooks report is
chiefly though unintentionally valuable
as showing that Republican reciprocity
has effected the very opposite Of its
avowed purpose, and that it is the Re
publican tariff policy to msltreat our
best customers. The lesson taught by
the statistics is that attempts to control
and direct commerce by statutes and
treaties are either futile or mischievous,
and that commerce will take care of it
self if alleged statesmen will be kind
enough to let it alone. Chicago Herald.