The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1901-12-23
LOUIS STERN on RECIPROCITY.
A New York Merchants Views and His
Report or Talks with Mckinley.

Louis Stern of Stern Brothers has made
public the following opinions on reciprocity,
together with an account Of sone CONVEX
sations with President Mckinley on the sub
ject. after Mr.. Stern's visit to Paris as a
Commissioners OF the United States to the
Exposition of 1900.
Il am sorry to see that all the reciprocity
treaties negotiated during the late Presi-
dents Administration are likely to remain
Enacted upon, that is. defeated. President
Mckinley l knew well. and shortly. after my
return from the last Paris Exposition I
had a conversation with him on the sub
iect. He seemed TO be deeply Interested
In the French treaty. and questioned me
with respect TO 1t and the feeling in
France. ! assured him hat nearly every
member Of the French Government with
whom | had spoken was DESTROYS that 1t
should be ratified. because Of the effect It
would have In bringing the two peoples
closer together and cementing between them
the ties of that traditional friendship which
was formed on the battlefelds Of tho Revo-
luton, and which it is of the highest i'm
portance to both nations to perpetuate.
l further informed the late President that
the great manufacturers and merchants
vtNlN iNoilh u hhoe III W. thhA Az = - o.
were most emphatic In the expression Of
their admiration for the United States, and
eager to extend their lines Of commercial
connection with us. They believed that
the markets for American goods In France
could be very much enlarged, and that the
reciprocity treaty was a great stride In that
direction.
President Mckinley appeared : o be
much pleased, remarking that nothing
would be left undone by him to promote
feelings OF the most cordial nature between
ourselves and France. Some months later
on, | again saw him. when he required to
tho subject. declaring that time had
strengthened his views with respect TO the
wisdom Of the proposed policy: Then
nanS tna of t aem Seioved SPSeSS; tne to his his
countrymen, and which. even now. takes
rank with the Farewell Address Of WASH
ington.
IThe economic policy which the de-
ceased Chief Of the nation so felicitously
and forcibly then outlined IL unquestiona-
bly, the course the Republican party must
pursue. II not at the present time. in the
very near future. The Dingley act, as it
is called. is a magnificent measure in nearly
every respect. II has accomplished Won
deTs In the restoration OF prosperity and
the upbuilding Of the nation. but, at the
same time, II is susceptible OF much i'm
provement. To many interests II gives
undue advantage, and TO that extent 10
wrong. A law that favors one class at the
expense Of others Ia unjust. l believe. Of
course. in preserving the home market. 80
that capital may be protected and the
American wage rate maintained with tbs
higher standar of living for the working
people which that rate insures. but all his
can he done. and must be done. without
creating ~monopohes in certain lines.
1T would be foolish for W. To- attempt 10
conquer the markets of the world and give
nothing Ia return. One passage In the
Buffalo speech cannot he too often re-
peated. indeed. II should bo committed 10
memory by all our people, II is this.
The period OF etcluslvegess Is past. The eI.
pAHsion Of our trade and commerce Is the pressing
problem. Commercial wars are Improbable. A
policy % good viii and friendly trade relations will
prevent rcpnsals Reciprocity treaties are In
harmony With the spirit OF the times measures OF
retaliation are not. II. perchance. some OF our
tariffs ore no longer needed for revenue. or 10 IN
courage and protect our Industries al home. why
sholld they not be cmploye cd to extend and pro.
rote our markets abroad
THAT IL the line 20 which the American
s~tAtesinanslip Of the future must adhere,
the chart by which II must sail The TO-
yers" policy spells peril