Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1901-10-24
RECIPROCITY.

| tlI AuNCliOA VI ANNAHA0NAtJ 49, :
likely to share with that of the Nicara
guam canal the leading place in public
attention for the immediate present
1t has been brought to the front es
pecially by reason of having found
powerful champion in the person o
the late President Mckinley, who, il
his Buffalo speech, delivered but one
day before he was shot, boldly pro
claimed the new gospel as the means
by which our nation can hold III
present place in the worlds trade ant
add TO it.
Not that reciprocity itself is entirely
new. or even untried, bat this is the
first time it has been put forth from 8
high source as policy to be generally
followed in Americas dealings with
other nations. The Mckinley tariff
law of 80 contained reciprocity fea-
lures, but they were limited in scope,
INTENDED to apply only to feeble South
American countries, and practically
accomplished very little beyond dem
onstrating the possibilities that under
lay them. James G. Blaine received
the credit for originating the reciproc-
ity idea, and it was at his earnest
desire that it was incorporated into
the Mckinley act. The theory itself
is simple. 1t is merely, Trade with
me and | will trade with YOU To
bring this about, two nations agree TO
reduce the import duties on certain
classes of goods to the end that the
markets of each may be extended.
Wisdom will dictate that duties should
not be reduced in ways that will result
in injury to home industry, but that
where an industry is so well estab-
lished that it cannot possibly suffer
from foreign competition, the protec-
ton no longer needed may be re-
moved, provided that the other ma
ton will show a like favor TO other
goods produced here and which have
come to depend upon the export trade.
There is nothing in reciprocity incon-
sistent with the protective theory, to
which the country, through the Re
publican party, has become committed.
But under the shelter of protective
tariff many of our industries have
arrived at the point where they not
only command the home market. but
could compete in other markets, IL
they were not Disseminated against
by adverse tariffs. Even thus handi-
capped, they have made notable
strides of late-suflicient to alarm
other nations, which, in some cases.
have sought the first feeble excuse for
making special discriminating duties
to keep ont their products. This is
the case with Russia and Germany.
We have sort of back-handed
reciprocity law already. BY it, when
ever it is apparent that another gov
eminent is aiming to cripple us by |
tariff restrictions, or is making a |
special effort to enter our markets by |
export bounties, we may re |
taliate by increasing the duties so as
to prevent the invasion. This is
other nations in an altogether
different light than the advocates of
fair reciprocity desire. 1t is purely a
measure of defence. 1t can serve no
useful purpose and will simply make
enemies of those with whom we should
be on terms of friendship. 1t provokes
disastrous tariff wars. II does not
SAVIOR of expansion. Ii opens the way
to no new markets, and bids fair to
destroy those we already have. 1t
should give way to an enlightened
policy more in keeping with the de-
mands OF the hour.
The tide has turned within the past
few years. From being an isolated
nation, concerned only within our
selves, we have perforce entered the
arena OF the world. This is not mere
but is borne out by every
fact and figure obtainable. We have
outgrown our borders and entered
new fields. Our policies must change