The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-29
ORGANIZED for Reciprocity,

The National Reciprocity League will
hold a convention at Detroit, beginning
Dec. 10, for the purpose Of consolidating
the element favoring reciprocity treaties
and entering upon an aggressive cam
paign.+ -
The league was organized about a year
ago, after the National Manufacturers
association had, after declaring for reci-
procity pure and simple, backed down and
collapsed as an organized factor in the
promotion Of reciprocity. The National
Reciprocity League, already numbers a
hundred large manufacturing firms among
it's members and has thus far shown that
it means business. It will meet at De-
troit, whose people share the strength Of
reciprocity sentiment as indicated at Buff
falo few months ago by the action of the
chamber Of commerce taking steps to Sc
cure common action by the commercial
bodies in the northern tfer. Of states next
to the Canadian line, sfavoring reciprocity
with Canada. =" "=j><
Notwithstanding the apparent devotion
to one sided trade with the Dominion in
this country, the desire for closer COM
nercial relations with our neighbors is
increasing rapidly, and it is very prob
able that the Canadians would favor,
renewal of the negotiations for recipro-
city treaty, begun by the Joint high COM
mission a few years ago. This disposition
no doubt exists now, but If on this side
we continue the policy of maintaining a
ioI7 70 vi
mental, indeed, to our own interests, it is
entirely probable that tho high tariff
movement in Canada, initiated by Isaac
Tarte, late member Of the Dominion
cabinet. and made to resign by Premier
Laurier for his high tariff views will
gain ground and assume retaliatory &C.
tivity against US.
The Canadians under the business pros
per1ty of recent years, for which they are,
indeed, largely indebted to American ac-
tivfty In investment, are feeling quite
cockey and Independent and will retaliate
If we stubbornly decline to make conces-
slons Canada will now give us the ad-
vantage Of her minimum tariff rates and
free list if we reciprocate in kind.
1t would be more profitable to Canada
to drop the preferential SO 1-3 per cent
tariff with Great Britain and secure the
largest trade advantages with this coun-
try, and the more liberal trade policy de-
sired by the leading business interests in
the states along the. Canadian boundary
line would bring decidedly large advan-
tases to this country. All this fighting
against natural conditions; this fighting
against our own advantages to maintain
a trade prohibitive principle growing OBJ
solescent; all the attempts to erect UNI
natural barriers to mutual trade against
communities in contiguous territory, is
thoroughly irrational. We may try to
maintain our lofty tariff wall against
Canada Canada may ,retaliate in kind,
but, In the end, unreason must give wav
to. reason and business common sense.
Business relations and close business re-
lations between the two countries are 2
necessity to both. 49,
The National Reciprocity League
should, at tho Detroit meeting, siren
uously voice the sentiment of some
2S,o0O0 900 people living In our northern
border states, who want closer trade re-
lations with Canada and want congress-
to bring it about r..