The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-11-16
SATURDAY. NOVEMBER 1s, 100.
RECIPROCITY.

RECIPROCITY.
The proceedings of the Forthcoming Ma
tional Reciprocity Convention in Wash
ins-;on viii oc read with much interest
throughout the industrial world. The con-
Seusion is the sequel to the meeting Of
the National Association of Manu:actu-
rcrs, held in Detroit last June. at which
strong sentiment in favor of CONNER
cial reciprocity" was developed. After
that came the famous speech of President
Mckinley at Buffalo. in which he commit
ted himself to the doctrine that we must
cultivate more friendly trade relations
with the nations of the earth. Then
came the speech OF Senator Henry Cabot
Lodge before the Middlesex Club of Bos-
ton on the Sth instant. in which he start
ed out by paying a high tribute to Presi-
dent Mckinley, and wound up with q dis
casston of the policy of reciprocity. He
quoted from President Mckinley's Buffa-
10 speech and said that it was certain
that most anxious consideration should be
given TO the subject by President Roose-
welt and by Congress at the ensuing ses-
sion Whether it will be deemed BEST"
continued Mr.. Lodge, Ito put this policy
into execution by means of some general
legislation, equivalent to a reciprocal ar
rangement with ali the nations of the
earth, or by series of separate trea-
ties. 1t is as yet too early to say; but it
is not premature, perhaps, to call atten-
ton the treaties now proposed and to
the countries with which it is especially
desirable, that reciprocity should be cs-
tablished." After discussing the diff
System he said:
Yet, difficult the proposition is,
believe we can solve it II we should
ADOPT the method of reciprocity by treaty,
some of the treaties, like those with Ecu
aoor and Nicaragua. can, l SLEEVE, De
quickly passed. AS to those with other
nations. which involve more difficult
questions, / hope we shall be able to deal
with them also, if not by treaty, then
by comprehensive legislation which viii
give TO ait nations who let us in on terms
of the most favored nation correspond
ing advantages here, and which will place
increased duties on the products of those
countries which discriminate against US
tries. That We should bend our energies
TO securing, in some form, reciprocity or
equality of treatment and to widening
our markets l am profoundly convinced.
Ne cannot hope 20 shut our own markets
absolutely to the world and then sell TO
all mankind. 1t might be an ideal stua-
ton. but in the long run it is impractical
bic as well Us dangerous.
lnstheT same connection we find an ar
ticIe in the Philadelphia Lerger, an indie
pendent Republican newspaper, in when
that paper commits itself to the policy
OF reciprocity and says that there must
be some mutually Of benefits conferred
named. And adds:
The so-called reciprocity which de-
mauds much and comedies nothing,
which would take everything and give
little or nothing, could not have been
ir President Mcllinleys contemplation in
his broad-rinded Buffalo speech. Its
spirit is wholly against any such view,
however strenuously somes of the COM
mentators on the deliverance are now en-
,deavoring to place a narrow, unworthy
construction upon it.
No matter by what name called, this is
a free-trade policy as far as it goes. che
free-trade principle is involved in reel
procity, so-caled, and the whole ques-
lion narrows itself down to the question
Of degree 1t is simply a matter of how
much or how little free trade we sho3id
have. Reciprocity is the opening wedge
Of free trade, and these reciprocity 1rea-
ties once llegltl, will be enlarged and en-
tended until We have practically FREQ
trade with the nations of the earth. It is
Inevitable. This country is the great pro-
iucnE country of the world, and being
able TO produce far more than we can
consume. W. must necessarily seek for
s.gn markets. and being able to compete
N all departments OF trade and industry
with the nations of the earth abroad, We
aecd not fear competition with them at
aome II they will open their doors to us
spon the principle of mutually. then We
must open our doors to them. Trade can
aot be altogether one-sided; it implies sN-
shange of commodities. The United States
S rapidly approa ching the position where
t will be able to dictate the financial
policy and the commercial policy of the
world. These observations are the moro
signifcant in view OF the fact that during
he month of October our exports showed
decrease and our imports an increase,
Is compared with October, 1899.
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