The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-02-02
IT IS ONLY A SHAM, SIR.

MI OOAlA4 SAieAI lIOIA 10 q II QSllIlS ID
madam who visits Washington as a
commissioner of the Dominion, conffd-
ing in the sincerity of Republican pro-
fessions for establishing reciprocal
trade relations with other countries.
If he recalls the blunt repulse of his
predecessors who came on a like err
rand by Mr.. Blaine, the legitimate
parent of this monstrOsity Republicans
misname reciprocity, when that states
man was forcing the reluctant McKin-
ley to embody his bantIing in the IA
nous bill, he probably thinks that the
experience of. this country under the So
called reciprocity treaties has taught
even Republican statesmen that such
shams may serve to fool all the people
once and some Of them always, but will
not do as foundations for permanent
political structures. He is very likely
to be undeceived, as were his prede-
cessors, and go back with an enlarged
idea of the capability Of Republican
statesmen for dupIicity and of Ameri-
can people for gu1libllity.
The Tines-Herald, a journalistic
trumpeter to the Mckinley administra-
ton, blows a blast of warning that
Canada is after our markets." bid
dlng the faithful to be on their guard.
II all that the Dominion wants is "a
closer and more friendly intercourse"
with the republic all well and good,
and she should ''be met in a spirit of
generous .friendliness" But if Canada
wishes to trade with us, especially if
she desires to sell any of her products
to US, that would be most unfriendIy
intercourse that cannot for a moment
be tolerated. Why? Why, because
canada is little country and has lit
tie to exchange for the valuable con-
cessions Mr.. Laurier is anxious to OBJ
tain from this government" This,
translated into ordinary speech. means
that reciprocal trade concessions should
only be made with those countries which
buy our products in large quantities
and of which we buy little, the funda-
mental maxim OF that school Of political
economy being that purchases of or
exchanges for foreign products are a
dead loss. Mr.. Blaine expressed this
idea when he was urging the reciproc-
tty feature of the Mckinley bill. by
pointing to the excess Of our Cuban
imports over exports and declaring that
I'VE dropped $4O,OOO,OOO into Cuba last
year"
National reciprocity differs not at all
in nature or principles from individual
reciprocity and the individual spon-
taneously 1eciprocates in his deal
lngs and grants the most favorable
terms to those who deal the most large
ly with him. Republican reciprocity re-
verses this and strives to minifv the
trade with the nations buying most
largely Of our products and to cultivate
friendly Intercourse with those buy-
Ing the least. That at least was the re-
suit Of their policy inaugurated in 1890
whose restoration is proposed.
With the exception of Cuba our
imports increased from all the treaty.
countries, while our exports to them
were affected hardly at all. On the
contrary, our trade with the Dominion
has always shown favorable balance
to US and on this ground alone, laying
aside the other questions Of contiguity.
racial relationship and the constantly
increasing difficulty Of maintaining.
trade barriers along a divisional line
1000 miles long, the dictates Of common
sense are for reciprocal trade relations
of the easiest, freest kind.
Mr.. Chamberlain's agitation for a
customs union with the colonies has
brought out table showing the i'm
ports and exports Of the colonies from
and to the various countries in the
years 1885, 1890 and 1895. From this we
IND that the imports Of Canada from
the United States were flo, 231, 900. or as
per cent Of the whole, in 1885: Eli .OO4.
600, or As per cent Of all, in 1890, and
FL, 4SS, 600, or so per cent of all, in 1895.
On the other hand, her exports to this
country were f8, 323, 900, or AZ. per cent Of
all, in 1885; 8,421 900, or 40 per cent of
all, in 1890, and fS, SIS 900, or 35 per cent
of ell her exports in 1895. So far from
this being any reason or argument for
reciprocal arrangements, however, with
the Republican school, it is the strong
est OF reasons for raising still higher
the barriers to imports. In that school
it is more desirable to lower the bar
riers with Brazil. for instance. where