Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-07-19
FREE TRADE TALK
DO NOT BEL1Ev. IN PROTECTION

Brazilian Says That the Only square Rec
iprocity L. Free Trade, and Advises .
Dearer Dollar for the United Ssases and
the Abolition of Protection-Compla
Also Made Of High Prices for the Pro-
ducts of Our Manufactures.
Philadelphia, July 19.-The CONNER
cial representatives of Mexico, Central
and South America, who Saturday night
returned from their forty days tour Of
the industrial centers of the country,
assembled yesterday at the Philadel-
phia Commercial Museums and held q
symposium on the subject Of reciprocity.
The meeting was Of a parliamentary
nature, and a number OF speeches were
made. several of the delegates express
ing decided views on the tariff question.
A general discussion of the subject fol-
lowed. DIR. Gustave Neiderlein. scientific
director OF the museum. presided. By
way of introduction. he said: "The
United States congress is now passing
the tariff bill. and in the amendments
special power is given to the presi-
dent to lower the tariff quotation 20 per
cent. for each article which can be in
cluded in treaties of reciprocity. The
question Of reciprocity Is the most diff
ficult in the worlds economy. and our
institution has been established with
this great problem"
Pronounced Free Trader Talks.
The most pronounced free trader Of
fhea ,s,v.tx- Arkt,
Rio de Janeiro, had this to say: "Reci-
procity, if it were as easy: "Reci-
nations as between individuals. would
undoubtedly be just definition of
fair and friendly trade. But circum-
stances often-almost always-create
difficulties which prevent a practical
realization Of such a disposition. That
friendly countries should be inclined to
make 1t a system is natural, but I do
not think it can exfiist without free
trade, and I would be wrong in hoHiing
out prospects which would indicate any
treaty by which Brazil would bind itselfto
favor one country more than Others
He then referred to the preference now
given by Canada to Great Britain and
said that reciprocity would not last
long.
National Interests Not Alike.
He proceeded as follows: TT would
be still more difficult to have exception
al laws favoring the many nations on
the American continent. The inter-
ests Of these nations are not alike, nor
can their produce and manufactures
find an outlet and consumption within
their respective or united boundaries
Europe must necessarily be sought aft
er both by North and South America,
and 1t would be inconsiderate to pro-
pose any legislation that would exclude
existing equality whereby all nations
are treated alike. Such legislation would
interfere with production, for II would
lead to surplus stocks. and exact guam
titles for barter would be required in
stead of progressive increase, which
only greater and greater intercourse
with the whole world can foster and
regulate.
Would Have Our Dollars Dearer.
We have seen on our tour that the
United States produce machinery and
many Of the articles which we import
at present from other countries. and
We have noticed that these states. also
import many things similar to what We
buy in Europe. I must say, however.
that the majority Of your manufae-
lures, although in most ways fitted for
our markets. are too high-priced. and
there Will be no increase in foreign
trade until there is a reduction in the
general scale Of prices. You have to
appreciate your dollars, which have
hitherto been so easily earned; you
must make their purchasing power
greater, so that cheaper living will fol-
low and more contentment. But with
protective duties and inflated currency
such results cannot be attained" The
speaker urged free trade ~ the only
practicable reciprocity.
FREE TRADER ANDlPROTECTION.