The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-03-09
THE REc1rnoc1rY TREATIES.

THE RECIPROCITY TREATIES.
There seems to be a pretty general in
quiry as to why Congress has not ratified
the reciprocity treaties which are pend
ing in the Senate. 1t has been stated, with
how much truth We are unable to say,
that IL the reciprocity treaty that has
been negotiated with Russia had been
acted upon favorably there would have
been no occasion for imposing a counter
vaiing duty on Russian sugar, and there
fore there would not now be a tariff
war between the United States and Rus
STA. There are several of these treaties
and there are reasons for thinking that
the ratification of every one of them
would be a good thing for this country.
The reason that none of them has been
ratified is that every one of them is OPP
posed by interests in this country, and
there may be opposition to them in the
countries to which they relate, though of
that there has been no public statement.
For instance, the reciprocal treaty with
France, which was negotiated nearly two
years ago, is opposed by the fruit and
olive growers Of California, the button
makers of New England and the wine
makers of all parts OF the country. If
the treaty should he ratified these inter-
ests would have to meet French compe-
tition in the home market. The protec-
tive tariff on wines, fruits of certain
kind and buttons would be removed, and
our market would be open to these kinds
of French goods.
But there can be no reciprocity unless
We open our markets to the countries
that propose to open their markets to
us. In reciprocal treaties the benefits are
not all on one side. The benefits are pref
ty evenly divided between the contracting
parties. 1t is natural, of course, that the
fruit and olive growers of California, the
wine producers of that and other states
and the button makers of New England
should not want our markets made free
TO the wines, fruits and buttons of France
because France is willing to let certain
kinds of our manufactured goods into
her markets free of duty, but if Con-
gGess listens to all the objections raised
! to these reciprocal treaties by interested
parties, it will be impossible 20 extend
our trade by such means.
1t is highly important, however, that
our trade shall be extended. We are now
manufacturing far more than we con-
sumo. Unless there are outlets found for
the surplus products of our factories, our
worlSmen will be idle a part of their
time, and where there is now prosperity
there will be stagnation.
1t is a question whether the United
States are not now ready to take down
the protective tariff wall, and open their
markets to the whole world on condition
that the rest Of the world will open its
markets to them. IF that were done it
Is certain that our manufacturing inter-
csts would be greatly stimulated. The
surplus of our manufactured products
would soon be double what it is now.
No doubt there are some interests which
would suffer for awhile, but in the
course of a few years the need of gov
eminent aid. in the shape of protective
duties, would not be felt.
Under a practically free trade system
we should be able 10 capture the entire
trade of Central and South America, a
very small part of which we now get.
Indeed, it is probable that we SHOULD get
the bulk of the trade of the countries
in Asia and Africa, for whose trade the
principal manufacturing nations are now
flercely competing. The Senate, at it's
present session, will not do anything
with the reciprocity treaties, because the
law requires their ratification by joint
resolution of Congress, but as soon as
Congress meets attention should be given
them at once. BY means of them the pro-
tective tariff wall can, and probably will,
be broken down.