The evening times., 1900-01-08


considered by Congress are the commercial
reciprocity treaties negotiated hy the Gov
ernmcnt with the Argentine Republic,
France. and Great Britain, or behalf OF sew
eral Of their West India colonies. These
treaties we're entered into by representa-
tives OF the United States under authority
conferred by section Of the Tariff act OF
July "a 1887.
One crave question has already arisen.
The treaties were entered into by virtue OF
section in lhe Tariff Law which prescribed
that whenever such treaties should be en-
tered Nho by the President Of the United
States "by and with the advice and consent
Of tie Senate. within two years from and
after the passage Of the act. and ulld
b. -dmy ratified by the Senate and ap-
proved by Congress, and public proclama-
ton made accordingly" th-y should be-
come operative.
The time limit laid down in the act ex-
Dired on July ei 1889 Although the con
ycutions were concluded within the time
prescribed. they were not acted on by Con
gress. II the act shall be construed to
mC8E that the conventions shall be "rati-
fed -by the Senate and approved by Con
gress" within two years from the time
when they were concluded. then in order TO
become effective that treaty with the Ar
geutiue Republic must be ratified and rati-
ncauons exchanged on or before February
TO- Eiub. that with British Guiana ON or be-
fore March Is; that with Turks and Caicos
Islands on or before March p, that with
jamaica on or before March 22; that with
BeTuuda on or before March %; that with
France on or before March %, and that
with Barbados ON or before June l6, 1900
The opponents us several Of the treaties
find some encouragement i'm this fact. anc
tney hope to De able to exert suihclcui IN
hucnce TO prevent or postpone action until
II becomes too late 60 save any Of the tred-
tiesa They also rely 20 some extent on the
fact that the several conventions appear
before The Senate as having been negOu-
dtcd and signed under the authority con-
ferrcd by Section A. Of the act Of July "a.
1897.
10 IS alleged that the sugar and tobacco.
fru!. wine. aud trucking interests of the
country are opposed 10 these conventions
ard they expect 20 unite with those inter
rsts which viii seek TO exert their infu-
Curo aEaius, any legislation which would
place like Industries and interests in the
Uewly-arQUired usular possessions Of the
United states on the same footing under
fhe Tariu lass as they themselves enjoy.
Il is said that no opposition has been
thus for shown 10 the Argentine convea-
tion.
This proposes 20 admit al a reduction Of
- per cent from the existing rates Of duty
Argentine sugar hides. and wool. For eZ-
ample the duty on hides would be rCduJe1
from - per cent 10 T. per cent ad vaiorem.
and thc duties on sugar and wool In like
proportion. The reduction On wool. IL is
held. viii not Doe injurious 10 the wool
growing industry Of the United States. and
he stand taken by the negotiatOrs has been
explained and defended In an official state
meut concerning lbe scope and bearing OF
that and her provisions OF The Argenune
convention.
The Argentine Products.
Argentina produces little sugar for eE-
port. the total importations Of sugar IN
1898 from al South America. except Brazil,
amounting 10 only Sj.3lL113 in value. In
consideration OF the concessions granted by
the United States. the Argentine Repubic
agrees 10 admit at reduced rates OF duty
d large number and variety of products
from the United States the reductions
ranging from 10 tc 90 per cent Of the ca
istuE rates Of duty.
Among other products and commodities
this list comprises canned salmon, lob
sters and shrimps canned corn, SuccOtaSh
and tomatoes. canned apples and berries.
qar8finc wax all OF which are reduced
60 per cent. bacon oatmeal cracked wheat
hUminv and other cereal foods. sail tWinc
and cotton rope. at q reduction OF 20 per
cent, the duty on white pine uudressed.
is reduced TO - per cent on a valuation
of % cents per square metre. On spruce
pine 10 10 per cent on a valuation Of .
cents on yellow and Oregon pine 10 per
cent on valuation Of 20 cents and on
ash d no nj fs-1 a ,-rl rnf firtrf
of 90 cents. Cottuoseed oil is reduced to
Gil cents a gallon.
10 is believed that the Senate committee
viii take up the Argentine treaty for con
siieration within the next ten days. and
there seems TO be a fair prospect Of its
ratification before February 10.
The British West Indies.
The treaties which affect Bermuda and
four of the British West India islands
contain a number Of provisions against
some Of which various objections are urg-
ed. There is some opposition TO the ad-
mission Of potatoes and onions from Bcr-
mud1 and jamaica az n reduction Of = Il
per cont from the existing rates Of duty.
90 q reduction or y II per cent in the
duties on cane sugars and molasses from
Barbados British Guiana and Jamaica.
and To a reduction Of 20 per cent in the
duties on citrus fruits, potatoes, onions,
and rum from Jamaica.
one of the objections urged against the
reduction Of the duties on tropical and
semi-trOpical fruits and on vegetables is
that it may measurably affect Porto Rico.
which under new and better conditions OF
industry would be ready 20 supply the
home markets and that it might also Sc
riously interfere with the citrus fruit ana
other fruit industries Of Oregon. Califor-
MIA. and Arizona.
delegation OF Pacific Coast Senator's
and Representative recently called at the
Department of State 10 express their views
on the subject and TO protest against some
Of the provisions I'm the treaties with ia
maica. British Guiana. and Barbados. Ii
IS said that after explanations had been
made all OF them expressed themselves as
satisfied with the exception OF one Repre-
sentative from a district in which fruit
growing is perhaps the most important in
dustry. II was pointed out to them that
the competition OF the Jamaica orange
growers. even with reduction of the duty
from I cent pound to 0.S Of a cent would
not injuriously affect their industry.
inasmuch as the Jamaica orange seas
on did not conflict with the California
season. and. moreover. as Great Britain had
recently granted subsidy of $50. eco a year
for a Inc of swift steamers designed TO
carry fruit from Jamaica TO British ports
Attitude of Beet Sugar Growers.
The beet sugar growers see a menace in
any proposed reduction Of duty on cane su-
gars and molasses. and they are backed by
The cane sugar growers OF Louisiana WIN