The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-07-19
THE PAN-AMERlCANS
Discuss the Pending Dingley Tariff
Measure.
RECIPROCITY AND FREE TRADE.

Delegates From Brazil Pronounce tho
New Tariff Bill Monstrosity, While
IL Costa Rican Makes Strong Plea
For Protection.
Philadelphia, July 19.--The commer-
cial representatives Of Mexico Central
and South America, who on Saturday
night returned from their 40 days tour
of the industrial centers Of the country,
assembled yesterday at the Philadel-
phla Commercial Museums and held
symposium on the subject of recip-
rocity. The meeting was of a parlla-
mentary nature, and number of
speeches were made. several OF the
delegates expressing decided views on
the tariff question. A general discuss
sion on the subject followed.
DR.. Gustav Neiderlein, scientific di-
rector of the Museums, 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 president
to lower the tariff quotation 20 per cent
for each article which can be included
of reciprocity is the most difficult in
the worlds economy and our institu-
ton 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 worlds production and con-
sumption. We limited ourselves this
time to America as the part Of the
world which not only historically and
geographically shall be considered as
one, but which also commercially and
economically have common interests
The most pronounced free trader or
the party, Arthur S. H. Hitchings, OF
Rio de Janeiro, had this to say:
"Reciprocity. if it were as easy be-
tween nations as between individuals,
would undoubtedly be just definition
of fair and friendly trade, but circum-
stances often, almost always. create
difficulties which prevent practical
realization of such q disposition. That
friendly countries should be inclined
to make it system is natural, but I
do not think it can exist without free
trade, and l would be wrong in hold
ing out prospects which would indicate
any treaty by which Brazil would find
itself to favor one country more than
Others
Il believe the exceptional advantage
Canada is giving Great Britain are
legislative blunders. and time will
prove 1t. They are opposed to the
broad and liberal laws which secured
to England her extensive foreign trade
with this view cannot believe that
their reciprocity (for such it is) will
last for long, and 1t would be still more
difficult to have exceptional laws fav-
oring the many nations on the Ameri-
can continent. The interests of these
nations are not alike, nor can their
produce and manufactures find an out
let and consumption within their re-
spective or united boundaries. Europe
must necessarily be sought after both
by North and South America, and it
would be inconsiderate to propose any
legislation that would exclude existing
equality whereby all nations are treat
ed alike. Such legislation would inter-
fere with production.
IT have heard much of the Monroe
doctrine, but surely such ideas cannot
apply to trade. Let u.s. gentlemen,
forego all petty notions that are not
based on sound reasoning. and let us
circumscribc our desires within pos
sible scope. We have seen on our tour
that the United States produce ma
chincry and many of the articles which
we import at present from other coun-
tries, and we have noticed that these
states also import many things simi-
lar to what we buy in Europe. must
say, however, that the majority Of
your manufactures, although in most
ways fitted for our markets, are too
high priced. and there will be no IN
creasing 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 your purchase
ing power greater. so that cheaper llV-
| Ing will follow, and more contentment.
| But with protective duties and inilat-
| ed currency such results cannot be OBJ
| tanned, and 1t has been my pleasure in
| the intercourse with your countrymen
to find that the majority agree in the
belief that protection has concluded
will be effectively pernicious.'
Mr.. Hitchings' views were for the
most part seconded by Carlos Lix
Klett. an extensive exporter of wool
and hides from Argentine Republic but
| Mauro Fernandez, former minister or
finance of Costa Rica, Central America,
made a strong plea in favor of protec-
| ton, He declared that the question
came down TO a contest between the
necessity of the politician. which was
protection, and the asperation of the
| scientist, free trade. THE United
| States is right to protect her industries
| until she can walk alone" he exclaim-
| ed. for in some political respects she
is still a baby"
The meeting thereupon resolved itself
into a debate between the free traders
and the protectionists Of the party.
Louis A. Dillon, OF Ecuador told his
hearers that his country imported very
much more from the United States
than they exported to them, but the
business men Of his country had found
that they could do better with Europe,
where they were enabled to secure very
much smaller rates of freight. f. Fer
tarl Perez. special representative OF the
Mexican government. said that as his
country increased its industries 1t had
been at the same time reducing its tar
IFS. Captain J. Cordeira da Graca. en-
gineer and naval officer Of Brazil, made
another free trade argument, charhc-
terizing the present tariff bill as a
monstrocity.
Killed by an Insects Bite.