The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-19
CHANCE OF RECIPROCITY
PAN-AMERICAN DELEGATES DISCUSS
THEIR TOUR OF THE STATES.
The Free-Traders Take a Pessimistic
View of the Prospective Success OF
the Interchange of Trade.

PHILADELPHIA, July 18.-The CONNER
ciaI representatives of Mexico Central and
South America, who last night returned
from their forty-day tour of the industrial
centers of the country, assembled to-day
at the Philadelphia Commercial Museums
and held symposium on the subject of
reciprocity The meeting was of a par
liamentary nature and a number OF
speeches were made, several of the dele
gates expressing decided views on the tariff
question. general discussion of the sub
ject followed. DIR. Gustave Nederlein,
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 the President to lower the
tariff quotation 20 per cent. for each artl-
Gle which can be included in treaties of
reciprocity. The question of reciprocity is
the most difficult in the worlds economy,
and our institution has been established
with the aim to come nearer the solution
of this great problem. Our congress is
part of this work, necessary to see clearer
in the world Is production and consumption.
We limited ourselves this time to America
as the part of the world which not only
historically and geographically shall be
cially and economically have common in
terests.'
The pronounced tree-trader of the party,
Arthur S. H fIitchings, of Rio de Janeiro,
had this to say: Il beg, first, to signify my
sincere thanks for the exceeding kindness
which 1 and the other delegates have met
with in all the cities we have visited in
this country. We have been received in
oIo Of
sites, your clubs and your homes, and on
every occasion we have been struck with
the wonderful advancement Which every
branch has shown us.
Reciprocity. if it were as easy between
nations as between individuals, would UNI
doubtedly be Just definition of fair and
friendly trade, but circumstances often adj
most always, create difficulties which pre-
vent a practical realization of such a dis
position. That friendly countries should be
inclined to make it a system is natural, put
l do not think it can exist without free
trade, and / would be wrong in holding out
prospects which would indicate any treaty
by which Brazil would bind itself to favor
enc country more than others.
CANADA'S BLUNDER.
Il believe that the exceptional advantages
Canada is giving Great Britain are legisla-
tive blunders and time will prove it. They
are opposed to the broad and liberal laws
which secured England her extensive for
eign trade With this view / cannot be-
lieve that their reciprocity (for such it isl
will last for long, and it would be still more
difficult to have exceptional laws favoring
the many nations on the American conti-
nent. The interests of these nations are
not alike, nor can their produce and manu-
lactures find an outlet and consumption
within their respective or united b0unda-
rleS. Europe must necessarily seek trade
in both North and South America, and it
would be incOnslderate to propose any leg
islation that would exclude existing euuali-
" whereby all nations treated alike
Such legislation would interfere with pro-
duction, for il would lead to surplus stock
and exact quantities for barter would be
required instead of progressive increase
which only greater and greater intercourse
with the whole world can foster and regu-
late.
Il have heard much of the Monroe doc
trine, but surely such ideas cannot apply
to trade. Let us, gentlemen, forego all
reasoning and let us circumscribe our de-
sires within a possible scope. 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 buy in Europe. 1 must say. how
ever, that the majority of your manufac-
lures. although in most ways fitted for our
markets, too high-priced, and there will
be no increasing foreign trade until there is
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 follow and more
and inflated currency such results cannot
be attained and il has been my pleasure
in the intercourse with your countrymen
to ind that the majority agree in the belief
that protection has concluded its good
work; that its permanence Will be effective
iy pernicious ans that your currency re-