The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-04-23
and colonies as well as by the people Of
the United States.
Violates Friendship.


the United States.
Violates Friendship.
al have received information, Mr.. Presi-
dent, by means which am not permitted
TO describe, that the governments Of other
American republics regard the. proposed
action OF Congress on this subject as an
unwarranted and inexcusable exhibition
OF selfish indifference to their friendship
and their welfare, and the
passage of this act will go very
far TO destroy all the good effects that
have followed the endeavors of this gov
erDment to promote closer social and COM
mercial relations with them. They can
this committee that they will enter a
solemn protest against what they consider
breach OF faith on the part OF the United
States"
He went on to discuss the necessity of
obtaining foreign markets for the over
production OF our own country to which
was largely due the lower prices now
prevailing. The Pam American confere nee
recommended these reciprocity treaties,
and Mr.. Blaine submitted the recommen-
dations to Congress. To escape the delay
and uncertainty OF ordinary treaties Mr..
Blaine proposed the amendment which
afterwards was incorporated In the act.
Mr.. Washburn related the history Of the
legislation, touched upon the negotiation
of the treaties, and enumerated the
articles affected by them. "Under these
treaties said Senator Washburn.
"the United States stands IN
position to command and control the
greater share OF the trade Of the tropical
portion of the Southern continents, and it
Is possible, by surrendering the duties
upon wool, copper, lead ore and some
other articles to negotiate similar arrange
ments with Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, and
the Argentine Republic, whose foreign
trade annually exceeds the sum Of
$500, 600, 900 and whose imports annually
surpass $3.50, 900 900. All OF the articles
name except lead ore are placed upon the
free list by the pending bill, without ask
ing anything in return or giving an OPP
portunity by diplomatic negotiation to
secure valuable concessions for the bene-
ft OF our farmers and mechanics.
Throws Away Markell.
'Not only does this bill repudiate and re-
ject all the advantages that have been
obtained for our producers in the Southern
nations, but it throws away for ever the
prospect OF obtaining market
for at least 100,000,000 of the
ries which we cannot sell at home. Much
money has already been invested, and
much time spent in the introduction of
our merchandise into Southern mar
kets; in the establishment of agen-
ciess; in the study of the tastes
the conditions of the trade; in opening
bank connections and credits, and in
making the acquaintance OF the buyers
and consumers in the Latin American
countries and colonies.
"This demonstrates that DISADVANTAGES
OF the reciprocity arrangements have been
recognized and appreciated by those for
whose benefits they were intended, but
just as they are beginning to see the re-
suits of their efforts, the majority Of this
Congress proposes to deprive them OF the
advantages they enjoy"
He declared that the only increase in
our trade during the past year OF hard
times was with the reciprocity countries,
while there had been falling of in other
countries. Discussing the treaty with
Brazil, he said that trade rela-
tions had been disturbed by the revolu-
tion and this was not a time for fair
test. He also referred to the efforts Aus
tria was making to secure trade relations
with Brazil.
Senator Washburn gave a great deal Of
attention to the results of the treaty with
Cuba, in the course of which he said:
Cuba is an Example.
''The most direct and profitable result
that has come from the reciprocity policy
of the last Administration Is found In the
statistics OF our trade with Cuba,
for there, with the exception of q
decreased value of silver and the
natural increase in the rate OF exchange,
all conditions have been normal and
favorable for practical and fair test of
its advantages to the agricultural and
mechanical interests of the United States"
Speaking OF his personal observations
in Cuba, he continued:
"In conversation with American mer-
chants and others doing business in Cuba,
/ learned that the effects of the CONNER
cial relations created by this ar
rangement had been really remarkable,
and increasing in Importance and
magnitude day by day. The Americans
doing business there are more than satis-
fled with the results. The Cubans are
satisfied and everyone is satisfied except
ing Spain itself and the representatives
of Germany, France and other continental
countries, who see the trade of the island
gradually slipping away from them and
finding themselves supplanted by the
products of the American farmer and the
wares of the American workshop.
81 saw upon every hand evidence OF
this.v
He sketched with some detail the re-
suits of reciprocity with South American
countries and then turned his attention
TO the German treaty, saying:
"In many respects the most important
OF the several comercial arrangements
negotiated by the last Administration
under the authority OF the reciprocity Sec
tion of the Mckinley act was that with the
German Empire. BY this the embargo
that had been placed upon American pork
products in 1850 was removed, a number
of agricultural products were admitted
free and many more at greatly reduced
rate of duty"
A Popular Policy.
Reciprocity, said Mr.. washburn, was
the popular policy OF Europe, and Great
Britain, Germany and many other
countries were endeavoring to extend
their trade by this means. AS to the pro-
posed abrogation OF the treaties he said:
"The commercial arrangements which
were entered into by the Uunited States
under the authority OF Section OF what is
familiarly known as the Mckinley law, are
solemn compacts between this and friendly
nations which cannot be carelessly
kicked aside like memorial from a legis-
lature, or an appeal from some domestic
industry whose prosperity is threatened.
They have the sanctity OF formal treaties,
and IL they are to be terminated, IL should
be done without national dishonor.
"There must be good reason TO show
why this Government desires to with