Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-20

iStu putty VI Reciprocity dt tiIdt tiiHc.
But 1T is pointed out that radical changes
have occurred in the commercial relations
of the United States since then.
At the date of the reciprocity convention
In this city our foreign trade was prosper
ing under favorable conventions with Ger
many and other continental countries, pro-
vision for which commercial treaties had
been made in the Dingley tariff law Nearly
all of these conventions will have expired
by limitation within the next year. and it
Will then be necessary to renew them
obviously suffer the loss of trade in quar-
tiers where 1t is most profita 1t seems a
foregone conclusion that this will not be
easily accomplished as to Germany. In point
Of fact Germany has already adopted meas
ures which plainly bespeak the purpose of
the kaisers government to impose such adj
dftional hardshipS upon the commerce Of the
United States flowing into German ports as
will mean the immediate Stoppage of the
greater part of that trade.
Germany's New Tariff
The new German tariff will take effect in
March. 1905. Without exception the tariff
has been increased on every line of exports
from this country t. Germany which has
been of profit to Americans. On the single
Item of corn. for example, the tariff has
been increased to forty cents a bushel.
which means the complete shutting out of
American corn from the German markets.
Our exports in corn to Germany have in
creased in value from few hundred thou
sand dollars to more than seven millions
within the past ten years. Germany is not
corn producing country; but the German
appetite for the food products of corn has
been enormously cultivated during the past
few years. The prohibitive tax of forty
cents imposed by the new tariff applies only
to the countries which have not entered
into special reciprocal trade arrangements
with Germany. This means that every 9TH
er corn-producing country in the world
which may form a reciprocity treaty with
wi haN adt
tage over the United States in that rapidly
growing trade. II viii mean the develop
ment of corn production In the warmer eli
mates OF Europe on a scale that eventually
may shut the United States out of very
valuable commerce in one of the chief pro-
ductions of American agriculture
But Germany's discrimination in her new
tariff scheme against the United States is
not confined to the one commodity of corn.
1t applies to nearly everything we export
to that country. in the manufacturing as
well as the agricultural line. 1t appears
evident that unless some concessions are
made through reciprocity arrangements
with Germany the United States will be
very seriously hampered in trade quarter
which has just begun to prove of great
value. 1t Is known that this subject is
giving the administration grave concern as
It probably foreshadows very determined
EFFORTS to renew in Congress this winter agi-
taton OF the reciprocity question as out
lined by Blaine and strongly advocated
by President Mckinley in the last speech
he made-that at Buffalo in September
1901. 1t Is expected that as result of the
deliberations of the national reciprocity
conference at Chicago in August a perma-
nent committee will be formed to promote
the cause of reciprocity in Congress-
Call for the Conference.
The call for the conference was issued
July 4, from Chicago, and was as follows:
The establishment of fairer trade rela-
lions with foreign nations is matter that
affects directly the prosperity of every
farmer, stock grower and exporter in the
United States. One by one the European
governments are tightening the coils in
tended 10 strangle the American export
trade in agricultural products and manu-
featured goods. We today face 10 face
with new and prohibitive German tariff
designed to keep out every pound of Alne:i-
can breadstuffs and provisions. RetaIia-
ton has been tried a tremendous cost TO
our producers and manufacturers and is a
failure
Standing on the broad platform enunci-
ated by President Mckinley in his last
speech at Buffalo, the undersigned repre-
sentative organizations hereby cali for IL
general conference upon this subject 20 be
held at chicago, Ills, August 10 and IT,
1903, to urge the wisdom of substituting In
our foreign relations the principle of rect
procity for that of exclusion and retalia-
ton. We care not whether the future Of
our foreign trade be sa feguarded nv means
of direct reciprocity treaties or under the
provisions of fairly drawn maximum and
minimum tarin law, under the terms of
which the government could directly negot,-
ATE advantageous International agreements
but the situation demands the establishment
at once In some form of the underlying
principle of conceding something to such
nations as Will concede valuable trading
rights to ourselves
You are. therefore. cordially invited to
send such number of delegates to said CON
terence as you deem necessary in order TO
properly present your views upon this great
commercial problem-possibly the most Inn
portant single issue before the American
people at the present time. The time has
come when the matter Of obtaining
broader markets for the surplus products
or our farms and factories and of guaran-
teeing the markets that We already enjoy
must receive serious consideration
kindly advise Alvin H. Sanders chair
man of the committee on arrangements,
ninth floor, Great Northern building Chi
cage. at earliest possible convenience as to
the names of your delegates, so that the
roll may be made up at earliest convenient
date and a hall commensurate with the
probable size of the meeting engaged The
time is short Hence prompt action is
urged. 1t is expected that the RAILWAYS will
grant reduced rates, which will be duly ad-
vertised. Respectfully submitted.
National Live Stock Association, Ameri-
can Stock Growers Association, the Corn
Belt Meat Producers Association National
Live Stock Exchange. American Short-horn
Breeders Association, the Cattle Raisers'
Association of Texas American Aberdeen
Angus Breeders Association, American
Galloway Breeders Association. American
Hereford Breeders Association, Miliers'
National Federation. Board of Trade of the
city of Chicago, Chicago Commercial AS
ISOLATION. Illinois Manufacturers' Associa-
ton, National Association of Agricultural
Implement and Vehicle Manufacturers"
IT, It'll