New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-06
WEST INDIAN RECIPROCITY.

The proposal for commercial RECIPROCITY pe
tween the United States and the Brlish west
Indies IL an engaging one. RECIPROCITY Is
policy of tho United States Government ana or
the Republican party. 1t was FORMALLY estaD-
Ilshcd under the Mckinley Tariff law, and IS,
therefore, after a Democratic lapse, most ut
tingly TO be renewed md extended under the
Mckinley Administration. Practical rccOgni-
ton of this fact has been made in the appoint
mcnt Of n Reciprocity Commission, under the
hpadship of Mr. Kasson, and there Is reason TO
expoct that advantageous arrangements with
vorious countries will soon be made for the
extension of commerce. But while advances
arc being made BY this country 10 others, here
comes n direct advance from another country
TO this one; certainly something not lightly to
be overlooked.
The proposal Is, indeed, for a renewal OF old
relations Five years ago reciprocity treaties
were negotiated between this country and
some of\the chief British colonies in the West
Indies. Thesc affected n large trade and were
Of mutual benefit There is as strong reason for
renewing them now rs there was at first for
making them. Those colonies are close TO our
Shores and should naturally have close trade
relations with this country. Practically all their
products are neeueu Ill tHlS COuHlly, anu tulo
country produces many II not all tho things
they need They are much nearer to the
United States than TO any other important mar
kct either for purchase or for sale. Indeed. In
every essential respect the case Is almost an
Ideal one for the practice Of the principle of
reciprocity.
Moreover and this il no light consideration
the colonies sorcly need such an arrangement.
They are in distress Their Industries are
langushlng. 4 royal commission reports that
such Is the case They are on the brink Of
ruin, even Of anarchy Their first appeal was
TO the mother country. But Great Britain,
bound In the letters OF CObdcnsm, can give
them no assistance. The next appeal is TO the
United States, and II "a well that II should DO
more favorably answered. II would not be TO
the honor nor 10 the pecuniary or political
profit OF this country 10 have n row Of bank
rupt bcggarcd colonies Just Off its southern
coast II will pay this country 10 protect and
10 promote their prosperity, especially since II
can nj the same time promote rs own direct
interests.
But what reflection Il is upon British pol
Icy. Now. IA what Mr.. Morley calls the full
MONDAY Of the CObdcnlc gospel" the British
Government appeals 10 the United States 10 join
II I'm n measure abhorrcnt 10 every Cobdenic
principle. Now. under the administration OF
Colonial Secretary pledged TO Improve the neg
lected estates Of the empire" Great Britain
cOnfcsscs her inability 10 improve or even 10
maintain her estates. and asks the United
States 10 undertake the job In the very year
Of the Jubilee. which was, above all else, m I'M
pcral demonstration, the home country tclls
It's colonies they must look to aliens for aid and
comfort. Would II be strange II I'm such cir
cumstanccs the colonies came 10 the conclusion
that political rs well commercial union
with the United States would be good thing
for them? This country f. not intriguing for
any such thing. II has no especial desire for IT,
II does not seek. In reciprocity. 10 take n single
step toward II. But the British Government
Itself. under the mallgn Influence Of Golden
ism. Is making most strongly toward that end.