New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-03
A TALK WITH JOHN A. KASSON.
L UNCERTAINTY As 10 TIE FATE OF INTER.
NATIONAL COMMERCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
UNDER THE WILSON ELL.
icy TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE.

lBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRiBCNEJ
Washington Jan. 2-John a. Kasson. 'ex-Repre-
sentative in Congress from Iowa and ex-Minister
TO Germany and Austria. who Is recognized
authority on international law. asked the other
day what in his opinion would be the effec. OF the
passage Of the Wilson bin upon the reciprocity
arrangements made By the last Administration. lie
replied:
Section Sc Of the Wilson bill repeats all acts and
parts of acts inconsistent with the provisions Of
this act 1t also declares that the repeal of exist
Ing laws notifications thereof shall not affect
any done any right accruing or accrued be-
fore the said repeal or modification. but all rights
ana liabilities shall continue If the act had not
been repealed. On the other hand. the Wilson re-
port on the Tariff bill declares the purpose Of the
bill to be TO repeal in toto section of the Tariff
act OF october |, 1890. called its reciprocity pro-
vision From these declarations II would appear
that. far the Wilson act imposes duties upon
articles made free under the Mckinley act and
IN our commercial arrangements under Section
of tina. act 1t does operate to repeal not only the
reciprocity Glaze of the McKnlev act. but also
to annul the arrangements made with foreign coun-
tries under II. Against this view. however Is the
saving clause have quoted from section 90, which
Is the repeating section OF the Wilson bill. Taking
the report and the provisions OF section Sc together
they indicate confusion In the minds OF the
trainers Of the biz both to what they cen do
and what they have done with the international
arrangements established under the reciprocity
clause Of the Mckinley act Inasmuch the
commercial arrangements OF reciprocity were acts
done and rights accrued prior to this repeal II
might be construed In that Il Is tho inten-
ton of the Wilson bill TO exempt from repeal these
reciprocal arrangements with foreign countries. 1t
leaves an impression my mind that the com
mittee hardly knew what they embraced In the
repeal and the exemptions provided for In section
&C."
rs that the usual way Of terminating a treaty
or an arrangement with foreign country?'
NO very far from II. ! know Of no case in our
history in which Congress has boldly trampled upon
any international trcatv of the United States and
nulllned IL except ~ dscreditable conduct toward
China In every other instance through our his
tory. so far as / remember. treaties have
been terminated In the manner provided for BY
their own provisions. or through other regular
diplomatic action" 1T,
TO terminate treaties In this way?
That presents question which was hhaily so'v yea
question Of reconcilins the legislative power or
Executive and senate IT was finally settled by the
Supreme Court that treaties made In pursuance OF
supreme law Of the land. Ike CONSTITUTIONAL acts
Of Congress. At the same time 1t was decided mat
limits Of constitutional action to make provisions
which might nufy me treny in', 10 sy u,
trolls the former IT, however. treaty Is ylolat
Government P' from Its responsby to foreign
nation The foreign Government has then is claim
Tor nhmages ana ~ IE' Tho ,roa,, ~ ''''' 10
What would be the impression conveyed TO for
eign governments If the United states should violate
its treaties by such Methods ,
From earliest times the violation OF an internn-
ional compact by one party to II has been con-
s!derel an act Of dishonor. and orators describe
such insulting actIon by borrowing from the old
Would Germany and Austria be more likely to
take offence at such action than Gilman
't'ndoubtedlv That Il TO say, they would be |
likely TO take more prompt action.
"In retaliation" ,......
seemed to require IT, Hut am Sun not clear that
the Intention OF the bill Is to 1'llify these eNishi
ARRANGEMENTS other than by the ncthohs proV'uea
In the arrangements themselves ..-
You are familiar with the 'ommercIai arrange