Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-08-01
GRAVE. DANGERS THREATEN
FOREIGN UNITED STATES JEoPARoizED BY DING
LEY TARIFF, AND TRADE ASKED TO JOIN
IN PROTEST AGAINST lr-Al TO ENDORSE REc.


Pc3ONN5NNN'
100000, fruits s3,60O,O0O.
The conventional tariff adopted by
the German empire and applied to
the imports from those countries that
grant Germany reciprocal concessions
in tariff rates reduces the general
tariff rates very materially, on many
articles by Is per cent, and the coun-
tries thus favored will be enabled to
underbid us in the German markets
in all of our articles of export and
practically to exclude many of our
products.
Our trade with the republic of
France under the present tariff sys-
tenn in operation in that country is
most unsatisfactory, handicapped as
it is by heavier rates of duty under
the maximum tariff of France on
many articles on which our competi-
tors receive the benefit of the mini.
mum tariff rates, and it is not surpris-
ing that our total exports to France
show practically no increase in the
last six years. whereas our exports
to Germany in the same period have
increased from $155 100000 in 1898 to
$215 100000 in 1904. On the other
hand, our exports to France of the
agreement entered into with that
country under section 3 of the Ding
lev act have increased from 1898 to
1908 by 46 per cent.
Russia in 1901. in consequence of
the countervailing duty imposed by
the United States on her bounty paid
sugar raised her rates of duty on our
exports from 80 to 100 per cent. She
has now adopted a maximum tariff
and will undoubtedly completely de-
stroy our export trade to Russia.
Austro-Hunaary now has under
contemplation a new maximum and
minimum tariff which it is expected
will shortly be adopted by parliament.
and under which our exports to Aus
ro-Huneary will suffer severely. I'm
der this new tariff an increase in the
Austrian rate of duty on cotton seed
oil will be made equal to 300 per cent,
which will effectually kill our cotton
seed oil exports to Austro-Hungary.
Italy now grants us minimum rates
CT duty on limited nmber of our pro-
ducts, the export of which to that
country has greatly grown while the
export of articles subject to her max
imum rates has not shown material
increase.
In view of the grave situation that
thus confronts us it <oars that the
business interests of this country
should make their influence felt in ia
vor Cf the early negotiation and rati-
fication Of treaties of reciprocity with
our principal European customers
through which our trade relations
with these countries may be adjusted
We trust that if you agree witt,
this chamber in their view Of the situ-
alton and the remedy it calls fer we
may count upon your earne st coop
Grafton in arousing the business inter
csts of the country to the dangers
that threaten our foreign trade.
II is of the utmost importance that
the national government be inform
ed in no uncertain terms of the de
mand of the business community that
our foreign trade be extended and en-
lareed by improved commercial rela-
items with the countries Of Europe so
that the imminent danger Of a disas
tr0us tariff war of retaliation may be
avoided and we would the ffcffre urge
YOU to present your views on this sub
ject TO he president of the United
States and his advisers and also to
the senators and conore ssmen from
your state
IT is necessary that this imnortant
Question, which means either life and
growth or practical extinction to a
large part of our valuable export
trade should be thoroughly a2itated.
'Fo this end the prompt. th0roueh and
effective support of all the CONNER
cial organizations of the country is
imperatively demanded
Reciprocity Treaties.
In a communication to f. p. Ladd