New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-29
UNDERMINING RECIPROCITY.

Chairman Wilson and his colleagues, by pass
ing over the Aldrich section OF the Mckinney
act are attempting to undermine an interna-
tional policy with which the Democratic party
itself was identified at the outset. BY an act or
Congress passed on May "a. 1888, and signed by
President Cleveland, the United States Govern
mcnt was authorized to invite all the indie
pendent nations of the American Continent to
a conference at Washington. The Democratic
House was responsible for this act, of which
one of the main objects was the consideration
Of measures toward the formation of Gus
toms union, under which the trade Of the Ameri-
can nations with each other shall, so far as 1t
is possible and profitable, be promoted
This policy, which received the sanction OF
the Democratic party and President Cleve-
land, was carried out under the Harrison Adj
ministration. The Pan-American Congress was
in session for several months One OF its most
important committees after considering the sub
ject Of continental customs union pronounced
it to be impracticable, owing to diversity OF
Industrial interests and the revenue require
ments of Southern Governments 1t advocated
the negotiation Of partial Reciprocity conven-
lions among Governments in place Of gen
eral customs union. In response to this recon-
mendation of the Pan-Amercan Congress.
which had assembled through the instrumental
ity Of Democratic House and President Clevc-
land, the Harrison Administration embodied
In its Reciprocity treaties the partial scheme,
which the Southern delegates had favored. BY
enlarging the scope Of the policy so as to In
clude the Spanish and British West Indies and
the European beet-sugar countries, that Admin
istration provided means for securing sub
stantial enlargement of the American export
trade.
Twenty conventions were made with Brazil,
the Central American Republics and other cOun-
tries on the basis Of free market for sugar,
molasses, coffee and hides. Spain, the most
reactionary country in Europe, was forced to
open the markets of Cuba and Porto Rico on
equitable terms to American exports, and there
was a gain Of $13,462 ,2G7 In the export trade Of
the United States during sixteen months. Eng
land was compelled to modify the West Indian
tariffs by which Its own manufactures were
favored at the expense Of American products.
All the Continental nations adopted the prin-
ciple Of Reciprocity based upon equivalents, and
made conventions with enc another and with
the United States Lord Salisbury, with his
eyes opened 10 the helplCssncss Of a Free-Trade
country with all the world leagued against it,
was moved by anguish Of spirit to remark:
" While nations are negotiating to obtain each
others favor, none Is anxious about the favor
OF Great Britain, because it has stripped itself
Of the armOr and weapons with which the
battle is to be fought" Loyalty to the Free
Trade cause" he added, "may be q noble and
beautiful virtue, but 1t is not busnesslke. On
these terms you will and you do get nothing"
The Democratic party and President Cleve-
land, who were responsible for the earliest
measures for convoking the Pan-American Con-
gress are now aiming to destroy the policy
which was evolved from the debates OF that
council. They do not venture to
abrogate the treaties openly by restoring the
sugar duties, but they are secretly cOnspiring
against the whole policy by passing over the
amendments and removing all re-
strictiOns upon the free market for sugar, mo-
lasses, coffee and hides. In their own measure
they repudiate outright the Reciprocity policy
adopted by all the great nations Of Europe ex-
cept England. BY throwing open the American
market Internationally to Australian and Ar
gentine wool; Canadian coal, lumber, ores, fish
and farm products; Gillian copper, Mexican
lead ores, West Indian salt and so-called raw
from every quarter, they reveal
their uncOmpromising Free-Trade tendencies.
Instead Of defending the twenty treaties now
In force and making a new series Of conven-
lions for the benefit Of the American export
trade, they are initiating blindly the English
policy Of giving away the home market and
getting nothing In return.