Evening journal., 1897-07-19
THE PAN-AMERTCANS
Meeting After Their Tour of Our
Business Centers.
MUCH ATTENTION PAID TO TARIFF.
Speeches of MIR. Arthur S. II. Hitchings of
Rio de Janeiro and other Repre-
sentatives of the Differ
ent Countries.

ent Countries.
Philadelphia, July 19.-The CONNER
cial representatives Of Mexico, Central
and South America, who have returned
from their 40 days tour of the indus
trial centers Of the country, assembled
at the Philadelphia Commercial muse
um and held a symposium on the sub
ject of reciprocity. The meeting was
Of parliamentary nature, and a num-
Der of speeches were made, several Of
the delegates expressing decided views
on the tariff question. A general dis
cussion of the subject followed.
DR.. Gustav Neiderlln scientific direct
or of the museum. presided. BY way
of introduction he said The United
States congress is now passing the
tariff bill. and in the amendments a
special power is given to the president
to lower the tariff quotation 20 per
cent for each article which can be in
cluded in treaties of reciprocity. The
question of reciprocity Is the most diff
cult 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 a
part of this work, necessary to see
clearer in the worlds production and
consumption. 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 of
the party. Arthur S. II. Hitchings Of
Rio de Janeiro, had this to say 4 beg
first to signify my sincere thanks for
the exceeding kindness which ! and the
,th Il hos ttrff In n tho
cities we have visited in this country
We have been received in your cham
bers OF commerce, your universities
your clubs and your homes and on ev-
cry occasion we have been struck with
the wonderful advancement which ev-
cry branch has shown US.
Reciprocity Defined.
"Reciprocity, if it were as easy be-
tween nations as between individuals,
would undoubtedly be a just definition
Of fair and friendly trade but circum-
i stances often, almost always, create diff
ficulties which prevent a practical reali-
zatiOn Of such a disposition. That
friendly countries should be inclined to
make II a system is natural. but / do
not think 1t can exist without free
trade, and I would be wrong in holding
out prospects which would indicate any
treaty by which Brazil would bind it.
self to favor one country more than
others.
Il believe that the exceptional ad-
vantages Canada is giving to Great
i Britain are legislative blunders. and
time will prove it, They are opposed
to the broad and liberal laws which Sc
cured 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
favorlng the many nations on the Amer
lean continent. The interests Of these
nations are not alike, nor can their prod
uce and manufactures find an outlet
and consumption within their respective
or united boundaries. Europe must
necessarily be sought after both by
North and South America, and II would
be fnconsiderate to propose any legis-
latlon that would exclude existing
equality whereby all nations are treated
alike. Such legislation would interfere
with production for it 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 regulate
i have heard much of the Monroe
doctrine. but surely such ideas cannot
apply to trade. Let us, gentlemen
forego all petty notions that are not
based on sound reasoning, and let us
circumscribe cur desires within pos
sible scope, We have seen on our tour
that the United States produces ma
chinery 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 similar
to what we buy in Europe. l must say,
however. that the majority of your
manufactures. although in most ways
fitted for our market. are too high
priced, and there viii be no increasing
foreign trade until there is a reduction
in the general scale of prices.
Some Changes Advised.
'You have to appreciate your dollars.
which have hitherto been so easily
earned: you must make their purchas-
ing power greater so that cheaper liv-
ing will follow and more contentment.
But with protective duties and inflated
currency such results cannot be at
tained, 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 its
good work; that it's permanence will
De eIecuNely pelnlclousi ana Jlhl your
currency requires without delay to be
placed beyond the reach of politics or
the manipulation Of silver trusts.
1--WE have seen how your factories
employ 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 labor and untaxed cost
Of raw material Competition is whole
some. for it corrects overproduction, but
you require to produce more for the
employment of your skilled workmen
and you must find markets wherein 20
dispose of your goods. and all this ne
cessitates an altered system. You are
favored with home raised quantities of
much of the raw material used. Do not
enhance it's cost II it has TO go abroad
Your machinery is most effective. but
do not expect too much Of il. Your
workmen are very skilled but do moi
underrate the foreigner, and to all your