New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-28
A PROMISING TRADE KILLED.
DISASTROUS RESULTS OF THE ABROGA-
TON OF THE RECIPROCITY CLAUSE.

A BRISK DEMAND FROM CUBA AND SOUTH AMER
ICAN REPUBLICS FOR AMERICAN MANI
FAcTI'REs SUDDENLY CUT OFF
DEATH BLOW GIVEN TO 4 MOST
ENCOURAGING COMMERCE..
The sweeping away OF the reciprocity clause In
the Mckinley law, which abolition was brought
about through the election Of Grover Cleveland as
president and OF a Democratic Congress. has caused
a direct loss to the manufacturing and large bust
ness interests OF this country which cannot be
estimated in dollars. The cutlery against the IN
jury thus placed upon the countrys manufacturers
Is especially emphatic in this city. IL Is based
upon the facts Of bitter experience and Is clearly
Indicative OF the widespread feeling among manu-
fac,urcrs that the reciprocity clause was founded
on n far-sightod policy with view to the develop
mont OF the manufacturing interests Of the United
States in competition with those OF the whole
world.
Among many incis,vc contributions to tnis We"
the purpose and effect of the reciprocity clause
are the views of Henry Prentiss, the treasurer OF
the Prentiss Tool and supply Company in Liberty
ST. Mr.. Prentlss deprecated the Idea OF pubhcily
this subject. yet In interview WIN reporter
of The Tribune yesterday he said:
There Is no doubt whatever that the annulment
% the reciprocity clause In the Mckinney larH law
has had disastrous effect upon the trade between
America and the West Indies. Previous to the
enactment OF the reciprocity clause our trade mad
been very light with these countries. pom 'h'
cnactmen. Of that clause we saw an opp'' '""''S
to extend our trade. We did so. And Tor mat
matter, this result extended to many other INES
Of trade In this country as know from personal
experience In Cuba "A large and hourish'ng U''e
WAS built up This statement also apples 10 hra"
and 70 Mexico. These countries entered nearby
into the spirit embodied In the reciprocity c'"'S'
and the wheels OF mutual interchange Oh p'ou"''S
were in motion. There Is no DOUBT "h"'''''
u the stimulating effec; upon trade mus eNe'-
cised
AS :, orr OWN particular line Of trade. may say
that In cuba machinery for sugar plantations came
into active demand They found there that '"o'
own machinery liable to a breakdown anu my
were seeking for a better article than they 'o"" ~
cure from Europe. Let me say here IN pc"ai "
American machinery. tina, the Cuhans had come to
the conclusion that. although they cou'i puS run
pcan machinery cheaper than they coud Ame'''a''
the latter was 50 much superior In worhmahSmp
and I'm durable qualities that IL was Inuch chrape'
I'm the long run After the reciprocity CLAUSE WI"
into effect his same conviction grahua"y eN'V"''"
/ over Mexico Central and South America anu '"'
West Indies. They had opportunity to Judge ann
,can goods and they reached the clear conclusion
,b,t these goods were Il superior article. and we'll
worth investment In. against the cheap pton"''9
Of Europe In other words. the opportunity WIS
thus offered to American machinery. and inspecuo"
proved that 1t was able TO compete against '''o
world 1870. 1, l., .
"Thi. Il NO. mere extravIgant statement; II Is
mere setting forth OF actual facts. ... ,,,,,. b..
"Of course. at the present time the cry map 30
raised that the rebellion In cuba mas pesh w, Tx
main cause OF Interference In American uaie VA.
that country. But the death knell OF that Udur
vas sounded before the rebellion began th' az.
uulm.nt of The reciprocity clause had souhh"n u.
and any man acquainted with the conditions "i
ira lc between this country and cuba knows TINS.
There Is no rebellion In Brazil at The present time
AMI none iu Mexico. and yet the bliehting enc A.,
OF the ahrogafon OF the reciprocity claus" ar" i'lt
IN our trade with these countries as wen as ~
cuba definitely speaking. many 'uban DlN'iS
Inv. .lleI upon me-. who tell me that the hnNul
mont ~ the reciprocity clause has been the d"aih-
blow 20 our trade With them. They tell us mat
th.v have been Obliged 20 80 back 10 th'.r fnro.
rcan source. I'm consequence OF the abolition OF
in. rcsipfo" ~ clause.
rs a matter % fact. feeling ~ anlmosi'y mas
gnrung ur IN cuba praZl and 's"Nhere IN inc
South American republics against the United states
In consequence OF this hngg-r- muggery with trade
relations and these countries ar" now gong -
Europ. though they get nm Inferior article
This is all a very great pity. for We had a mag
ulncenf opportunity 10 carry IA" Amen, an name
In trade relations against the Who'll" world. but
now We have received most sorrowful setback.