The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1896-05-29

Data.
Washington, May 2S.-The republic
can members of the house ways
and means committee, who have
been engaged for several months in
vestigating the subject of reciprocal
trade relations with other countries,
have finished their labors and to-day
laid the report agreed upon by them
before their democratic colleagues.
Ihe report is a comprehensive docu-
ment of fifty-two pages, covering in ex-
tense the history of the reciprocity
policy adopted by the United States,
the results of reciprocity, the protests
against its repeal and the effect of rec
iprocity upon the exports of bread
stuffs, together with a final chapter
showing the present condition of our
export trade.
1t is explained in the report that the
various arts, industries and occu-
pations interested to appear before
them for the purpose of making state
ments and explanations concerning the
present condition of the export trade of
the United States and the legislation
necessary to promote it's extension and
prosperity The statements and expla-
nations of these gentlemen, which, the
report states, ARE both interesting and
important" are incorporated in the re-
port. Upon this subject the report
adds:
1T will be observed that there is a
remarkable unanimity in the senti-
ment expressed concerning the value
and results of the reciprocity arrange
ments negotiated with certain coun-
tries and colonies under the authority
of section 8 of the tariff act of 1890 and
the disastrous effect of their repeal. 1t
Will also be noticed that the commercial
and industrial interests of the United
States, as thus represented, without po-
litical distinction, are almost without
exception anxious that such arrange
ments shall be renewed and negotiated
with other nations, and that the reci-
procity policy be permanently adopted
in future legislation affecting the tariff
and the foreign commerce of this coun-
try
The assertion is made by the COM
nlittee that the repeal of the reciproci-
ty section and restoration of the duty
on sugar did not result from any popu-
lar demand or commercial necessity.
1t was not demanded by any CONNER
cial or industrial association, but was
simply a legislative necessity in order
to accomplish tariff reform" The
committee then show the Importance
of the reciprocity feature of the tariff
act of 1890, so far as Germany is com
cerned. 1t removed the embargo that
had been placed upon American prod
ucts in $780, admitted free number of
agricultural products and many more
at greatly reduced rate of duty.
For twelve years." they say, 1.-The
United States had tried to accomplish
this by diplomatic negotiations, but it
had always failed until the adoption of
the reciprocity policy enabled the Sec
retary of state to offer the Germans a
compensation which they deemed
equivalent in the free admission of
their beet-root sugar to the United
States.'
This arrangement is not sought by
them, but by the American government.
Germany responded with great reluc-
tance because of the rapid increase of
the agrarian movement in Germany,
which demanded high protective duties
upon all agricultural imports.
In the face of these facts and the
formal protest that was entered by the
German ambassador the Fifty third
congress proceeded to ignore the treaty
stipulations and the commercial inter-
ests of the United States without re-
Election and with no motive except to
repeal the legislation of the Fifty first
congress. The committee and the SEN
ate We're warned that the commercial
agreements which had been entereu
into under the act of 1890 were solemn
compacts between this and friendly ma
tions which should not be carelessly set
aside and could not be terminated in
the way proposed without national dis
honor. They were reminded that the
government might properly ask permis-
sion to withdraw from the compact, and
be released from it's obligations accord
ing to the custom of civilized nations.
Such a method would be a serious
blow to the commerce they had done
so much to promote and encourage, but
would preserve the honor of the nation.
But in their impetuosity the advocates
of tariff reform were deaf to reason and
remonstrance.
Such an offense as was committed by
the passage of the tariff act of 1894 ii
committed by individual or corporation
| would be followed by a suit for dam
ages, but when committed by one ma
ton against another the usual recourse
is declaration of war or commercial
retaliation. The government of Ger
many adopted the latter alternative
| and proceeded to inaugurate a CONNER
cial warfare against the United States
which has demoralized our commerce
| with that country and been a serious
| blow to the export trade.
Nor is it confined to the German en-
pire Sympathetic retaliation has fol
| lowed from Austria, Belgium, Holland
and Denmark, until now our asricul-
| tural products are practically shut out
| of the markets of northern Europe and
| the result is felt by every man who
| raises a bushel of wheat or corn, OF
| who sends a hog or steer to the stock
| yards. Thus our exports of corn tC
Europe dropped from 100000 bushels
| in 1894 to $4,000, 900 bushels in 1895. Ou1
exports of wheat dropped from 81, 900 900
/ bushels to 100000. There was a loss