Gilpin observer., 1900-12-06
of an trade for rebuilding the American
college at HarpOOt.
RECIPROCITY TREATIES.

RECIPROCITY TREATIES.
"The failure of action by the Senate
at its last session upon the commercial
conventions then submitted for its con-
sideration and approval, although
caused by the great pressure of other
legislative business, has caused much
disappointment to the agricultural and
industrial interests of the country.
which hoped to profit by their provis-
ions. The conventional periods for
their ratification having expired, it be-
came necessary to sign additional arti-
cles extending the time for that pur-
pose. This was requested on our part.
and the other governments interested
have concurred with the exception Of
one convention, in respect to which no
formal reply has been received.
"Since my last communication to the
Congress on this subject special com.
mercial agreemnts under the third sec
tion of the tariff act have been pro-
claimed with Portugal, with Italy and
with Germany. Commercial conven-
tions under the general limitations OF
the fourth section of the same act have
been concluded with Nicaragua, with
Ecuador, with the Dominican republic.
with Great Britain ON behalf of the
island of Trinidad, and with Denmark
on behalf of the island of ST. Croi1.
Negotiations with our government are
in progress for the Improvement and
security of our commercial relations.
THE policy of reciprocity so mani
festly rests upon the principles of in
ternational equity and has been so re-
peatedly approved by the people of the
United States, there ought to be no hes
itatiOn in either branch of the Congress
in giving to it full effect.
1.-The exposition of the resources and
products of the Western hemisphere to
be held at Buffalo next year promises
important results not only for the Unit
ed States, but for the other participat-
ing countries. 1t is gratifying that the
Latin-American states have evinced
the liveliest interest, and the fact that
an international American congress
will be held in the City of Mexico
while the exposition is in progress en-.
courages the hope of n larger display
at Buffalo than might otherwise he
practicable. The work of preparing an
exhibit of our national resources is
making satisfactory progress under
the direction of different officials of the
federal government, and the various
states of the Union have shown dis
position toward the most liberal partic
The bureau of American republics
continues to discharge, with the hap
piest results the important work Of
promoting cordial relations between
the United States and the Latin-Amer-
lean countries, all of which are now ac-
tive members of the international
union. The bureau has been instru-
mental in bringing about the agree
ment for another international Amer
lean congress. which is to meet in the
City of Mexico. in October, 1901. The
bureaus future for another term of
ten years will doubtless have much to
do with shaping new lines of work ana
a general policy. Its usefulness to the
interests of Latin-American trade is
widely appreciated and shows n graft
flying development.
COMMERCIAL EXPANSION.
1.-The practical utility of the consular
service in obtaining a wide range Of in
formation as to the Industries and
comemrce Of other countries and the
opportunities thereby afforded for in
Producing the sale of our goods have
kept steadily in advance of the notable
expansion of our foreign trade, and
abundant EVIDENCE has been furnished
both mt home and abroad of the facts
that the consular reports, including
many from our diplomatic representa-
tives, have to a considerable extent
pointed out ways and means of dispOs-
ing or Il great variety of manufactured
goods which otherwise might not have
found sale abroad.
Testimony of foreign observers to
the commercial efficiency of the con
sular corps seems to be conclusive, and
our own manufacturers and exporters
highly appreciate the value of the ser
vices rendered not only in the printed
reports, but also in the individual eff
forts of consular officers to promote
American trade.
"An increasing part of the work of
the bureau of foreign commerce., whose
primary duty it is to compile and print
the reports, is to answer inquiries
from trade organizations, business
houses, etc, as to the conditions in var
ious parts of the world, and. notwfth-
standing the smallness of the force em-
ployed the work has been so system
atiZed that responses are made with
such promptitude and accuracy as to
elicit fiattering encomiums. The ex-
pertinent of printing the consular re-
ports daily for immediate use by trade
bodies, exporters and the press, which
was DeSun Ill january, 1910, continues
to give general satisfaction.
CONDITION OF THE TREASURY.
"It is gratifying to be able to state
that the surplus revenues for the tis-
cal year ended June 30, 1900, were $79,-
527 .OGS.1S. For the six preceding
years we had only deficits, the aggre-
gate of which from 1894 to 1899 in
elusive amounted to $3.50, ,022, ,001. II.
The receipts for the year from all
sources, exclusive of the postoffice rev
enues, aggregated S56I. .24O, ,S51. 80, and
expenditures for all purposes, except
for the administration of the Postal
Department aggregated S4S7, ,713,-