The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-07-22
DELEGATES FROM MEXICO, CEN
TRIAL AND SOUTH AMERICA AS
SEMBLE IN PHILADELPHIA.
VIEWS ON THE PROTECTIVE POLICY
Free Trader From Brazil Speaks for
an Open and II Stable Currency.
A PrOtectiOnist Upheld High
Tariff Rates.


representatives of Mexico, Central and
South America, who last night returned
| from their forty days tour of the indus
| trial centers of the country, assembled
today at the Philadelphia Commercial
Museum and held symposium on the
subject of reciprocity. The meeting was
of parliamentary nature, and mum.
| Der of speeches were made, several OF
the delegates expressing decided views on
the tariff question. A general discussion
of the subject followed.
DR.. Gustav Neiderlein, scientific direc-
| tor of the museum, presided. BY way
of introduction he said:
| "The United States congress is now
passing the tariff bill, and in the amend
ments special power is delegated to the
president to lower the tariff quotations
| 20 per cent for each article which can
| be included in treaties of reciprocity.
"The question of reciprocity is the
most difficult in the worlds economics.
Our congress is a part of this work nee
| essary to see clearer into the worlds pro-
| ductiOn and consumption. We limited
ourselves this time to America as the
part of the world which not only his
! torically and geographically shall be con-
sidered as one, but also commercially
and economically have common inter-
ests."
The most pronounced free trader of
the party, Arthur S. Hitchings of Rio
de JaneirO, had this to say:
81 beg, first, to signify my sincere
thanks for the exceeding kindness which
| and the other delegates have met with
in all the cities which we have visited
in this country.
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, created
difficulties which prevent practical re-
| alization of such disposition. That friend
ly countries should be inclined to make
it system is natural, but / do not think
it can exist without free trade, and |
would be wrong in holding out prospects
which would indicate any treaty by
which Brazh would bind itself to favor
one country more than others.
II believe the exceptional advantages
Canada is giving Great Britain is leg
islative blunder, and time will prove it.
They are opposed to broad and liberal
laws which secure to England her ex-
tensive foreign trade. With this view |
can not believe their reciprocity for
such it is) will last long, and it would
be more difficult to have exceptional
laws favoring the many nations on the
American continent. The interests of
these nations are not alike, nor can they
produce and find an outlet and consump-
ton within their boundaries. Europe
must necessarily be sought after by
both North and South America, and it
would be inconsiderate to propose any
legislation that would exclude existing
policy whereby all nations are treated
alike. Such legislation would interfere
70
surplus stock and exact quantities would
be required for barter in the stead of
progressive increases, which greater and
greater intercourse with the whole world
can foster and regulate. | have heard
much of the Monroe doctrine, but sure
ly such can not apply to the trade. Let
us. gentlemen, forego all such petty no.
tons that are not based on sound reason
ing. and let us circumscribe our desires
within Il possible scope.
I'VE have seen on our tour that the
United States produces machinery and
many of the articles which we import
at present from other countries, and we
have noticed that these states also i'm
port many things similar to what we
buy in Europe. ! must say. however.
that the majority of your manufactures.
almost in all ways fitted for our mar
kets. are too high priced, and there will
| be no increasing trade until there is
| reduction in the general scale of prices.
You have to appreciate your dollars,
which have hitherto been so easily earn
ed; you must make their purchasing
power greater so cheaper living will fol
low, and with protective duties and in
| tlated currency such results can not be
| attained, and it has been my pleasure
| in the intercourse with your cOuntrymen
to find that the majority agree in the
belief that protection has concluded it's
good work; that its permanence will be
effectively perniciOus and that your cur
| rency requires without delay to be placed
| beyond the reach of politics or the ma
nipulatiOn of silver trusts.
I'VE have seen how your factories en-
plOy most advanced machinery. but these
machines are exported, copied, and, in
some cases, improved on; others are
| thereby enabled to compete with you by
| using your own inventions, by reduced
price of the labor and untaxed cost of
raw material. Competition is wholesome
| for it cOrrects over-production, but YOU
| require to produce more for the employ
| ment of your skilled workmen and you
| must find markets wherein to dispose of
your goods, and all this necessitates an
altered system.
"You are favored with home raised
quantities of much of the raw material
| used; do not enhance its cost if it has
| to go abroad Your machinery is most
effective. but do not expect too much of
it. Your workmen are very skilled, but
| do not underrate the foreigner. and to
| all your advantages add what free trade
| can alone secured permanent and en-
crossing international commerce which