The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-05-23

Cleveland, o., May 2G.-The fifty
sixth annual dinner of the chamber Of
commerce was held here tonight with
o persons in attendance. Leslie u.
Shaw, secretary of the treasury, spoke
on "Non-partisan craftsmanship as
follows:
SECRETARY SHAW'S ADDRESS.
1t may not be out of place at this
time to compare the international conf
merciai policies of the four great OH
merciaI countries of the world. The
= United Kingdom opens her markets to
all OIL equal terms, and reserves TO her
WI people no advantages whatsoever.
France and Germany reserve to their
own people, by can of protective
tariffs, advantages on many articles,
and they also grant to the people Of
some countries advantages i'll their
markets over others. Both these coun-
tries discriminate in favor Of their wv
people in their own markets, and they
discriminate also as between the peo-
pie of foreign countries. They both
have what is known as most favored
nation" clauses in their commercial
tiedlICS, oklIu IHuS IIdhC lCSipIotlly
trade relations with certain countries,
granting and receiving advantages over
others.
The United States follows the exam
pie of France and Germany in that she
grants TO her wv people advantages on
very many articles, and follows the ex-
ample Of Great Britain by making no
distinction as between foreign III
tries. Barring Il dozen or so unimpor-
tant articles, the United States admits
the products of all foreign countries
(the Republic of Cuba alone eXceptedJ
on equal terms.
There is now in force a commercial
treaty between the United States and
Germany, by which the latter, in con-
SideratiOn of certain slight concessions,
agrees not to discriminate against us.
and | can not believe that the neWspa-
per reports are true that Germany con-
templates terminating this arrange
ment unless the United States will
agree to discriminate against other
countries and in her favor.
| cannot believe that any country Sc
riOusly considers putting in operation
Il revision of tariffs imposing new and
StNCIC ISL IIIllliIttLlulIO uSdll1oL pCOp1S
of the United States. Such action would
be most unfortunate from every point
of view to both countries. Certain it is
the United States has done nothing,
and will do nothing, to invite such d
course. If, however, any considerable
numbe of foreign countries should
unite with those now discriminating
against us, then there will remain for
the people Of the United States four
possible policies. Without expressing
an opinion as to their relative merits,
l will state them as cOncisely as posi-
BILE. The responsibility of determina-
ton rests alone with congress.
First. The United States could con-
tinue her present policy of reserving to
her people some advantages in her own
markets and making no determinations
against others. There are those who
advocate this course.
Second. We could yield to the de-
manf of those countries which threaten
adverse tariff legislation, and give to
their people material advantages I'VE
those which make no such discrimina-
tons. 1t must be borne in mind, how
ever, that this proposition involves dis
ordinations against other countries for
be j. remembered, special favOrs can
not be granted to some as against 9th
ers without imposing corresponding
burdens upon others, as against some.
But there are those in this country, |
a mtOld, who favor material reductions
in present tariffs on merchandise COM
ing from certain countries and the en-
forcement of present rates as against