The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-03

america, more buyers nave come from
those countries to this. and more cor
respondence has been conducted during
the last two or three years than was
ever known before"
| Critics of this policy draw hasty con-
clusions from inconclusive results. To
be wholly fair. as Mr.. wellman OBJ
| serves, they must take into consider
alton the fact that during the short
period the commercial treaties were in
force not only this country, but many
South American countries, We're suffer-
ing commercial depression. The trade
| movement of the world was to a great
extent paralyzed. In almost every i'm
| portant channel of interchange there
was dlmlnution both of bulk and value
| Of goods carried. 1t is true that under
| reciprocity our trade with the treaty
countries did not show n net increase.
| There was, on the other hand. small
percentage of net loss. But the loss OF
| trade between the United States and
| the treaty countries was much smaller
| in proportion than the loss between
those countries and England, France
ard GERMANY, their principal markets
| and purchasing points. 1t was less,
then, in proportion. than loss be-
tween this country and Europe, and
very much less than the ratio of dimi-
mutton of trade movement among our
| own people during that period of
! shrinkage OF value and timidity of OPP
Grafton. Local as we'll as general causes
| operated 10 prevent the test of lS9l-4 be-
ing p fair one as to the merits of reci-
procity. In two Of the principal coun-
tries the coffee crop was almost fall
urc, diminishing the power of that ma
ton to sell or to buy. In the great
country of Brazil the rebellion for long
time caused stoppage of trade. Mica
racua and Honduras. too,were harassed
by instructions All Of the southern
republics and colonies have also suf-
fered severely from the reduced value
Of silver, which is their common cur
rency and standard. and a correspond
ing increase in foreign exchange"
Fooiishly or not, that pol!cy was.
however sacrificed; herce the question
will simply have to be re-opened. Mr..
Well,!an reports that favorite idea
with the friends of enlarged trade Is
the creation of a committee to visit
Central and South America and collate
facts for the promotion of reciprocity.
1t is conceded there will be no general
revision of the American customs tariff
until after the coming presidential elec-
sior could gather data. cultivate friend
" relations, and have its report ready
for the use of congress. Then in ar
ranging a new tariff congress could
leave the way open for the negotiation OF
commercial treaties, which should con-
stttute the settled policy of the United
States In it's trade relations with the
remainder of the hemisphere. There
is" he says. mo royal road to the grow
ing trade of Central and South Ameri-
ca. The channels of commerce cannot
be diverted in day. If anyone in
dulges the dream that there is any
magic in reciprocity, he must awaken
from the illusion. 1t Is only an auXii-
iary. Many other things are to be
overcome, we IltuSl AsetoPN'
We must learn to adapt our goods to
the needs and tastes of the customers
we seek. We milst learn how to pack
and ship for peculiar market. We
must build, slowly and painstakingly.
We must improve our lines of transport
tation. We must study the people, cul-
tivate friendly relations with them,
teach our young men their languages,
visit their countries. Evidence accum-
ulates here that the manufacturers and
merchants of the United States are
eager to enter upon this campaign. The
commercial houses of New York and
other cities which have Latin-Ameri-
can connections are heartily in favor of
a return Of the reciprocity policy, and
are Democrats as well as Republicans"
To such a purpose every well-think-
ing American will give his cordial as
sent.