The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-27

effort on his part was exerted with view
OF bringing the republics OF The Western
hemisphere together, especially as re-
CARDS commercial relationship. He be-
nevea that this country produced q great
deal whlca our southern neigaoors needed
and thai IN the nature Of things they
ought 20 ge: their agricultural and manu-
featured necessities from uz instead OF
from Europe. His plan OF reciprocity, no;
only with South America. but with Europe
as well. grew cut Of fhese IDEAS and Its
workings when put into effect demon
strated conclusively that IL was a states
maniike policy, the wisdom OF which was
fully justified by results. No better evi-
denee OF the advantages TO follow the
adoption OF policy OF commercial recip-
rocfty can be found than the statistics re-
lsting 70 our foreign trade since the absn-
Comment OF that policy.
Since the abroration OF the reciprocity
treaties It appears that our foreign trade
has been deprived OF nearly si0o,ooo.eo.
Statistics show that the exports 10 Bel
GUM in 1892 amounted 10 SIS 600. while
last year they fell 10 s25.Ooo.o 90. The ex-
ports TO Germany in 1892 were sos. CO., oo;
last year they were only s92.oeo.0oo. In 1892
the exports to France were SO. o0o, 900; last
year they were $4,000 90. The exports to
Cuba and Porto Rico In 1892 were $1,000
900. while last year they were 100000.
OF course. this decline in exports cannot
be wholly charged TO the abandonment of
afs kstf Ea rreh nf
after the treaties went into effect indicates
that the falling off recently is largely due
10 the fact that the treaties have been alb
rogated and just at time when increas-
ing and permanent benefits were promised.
II is with Central and South America
that the abandonment OF commercial rec
iprocity has had the most disastrous ef-
feet. Our merchants. manufacturers and
producers generally have lost their trade
and this loss has been greatly to the adj
vantage of foreigners, who have stepped
in and taken our place. Moreover, the
sudden change OF policy has had the eff
feet OF lowering our standing commercial
~. In other words, we have lost our pres
tige to some extent. and European nations
WHO saw llelT commercial supremacy III
the south threatened are now actively
striving TO regain what they lost. and, I'M
fortunately for the United States. success
Is attending their efforts.
Under reciprocity our trade with Cuba.
Brazil. Argentine and other countries
to the south of US showed signs of
growth from the start, with every indca-
ton for future increase. Now this trade
is on the decline and our commercial re-
lations are becoming weaker instead OF
stronger. as they promised to grow under
the new policy. All the advantages which
reciprocity gave Us have been needlessly
thrown away. They will not be secured
again until new treaties are made on the
same lines as the old. Undoubtedly with
new administration an attempt will be
made to regain what has been lost
While there will perhaps be more difficulty
than was originally experienced, it is TO
be hoped there viii be the same persever-
ance as was displayed by Mr. Blaine, and
that the splendid markets once opened 10
US may not be needlessly and hopelessly
lost