Omaha daily bee., 1905-07-20
= BropROcfrY coNFERENcE.

The national reciprocity conference 70
be- held in Chicago next month will
doubtless have the effect 10 stimulate
general interest In the subject Of our
trade relations, especially with Ger
many. whose new tariT law threatens to
be exceedingly injurious 10 our trade
with that country. The interests that
will be represented I'm the conference are
among the most important and inhuen-
tial IN the country, 80 that the result OF
their deliberations will carry great
weight, particularly among the produc-
ers, who are as much II not more con
cerned in the situation than the manu-
facturers, for GermaDy's new tariff is al
most prohibitive as to many articles Of
American farm produce.
In a report several months ago the
United States consul general at Berlin
said that "the allimportant question
which intimately concerns the future
trade between the United States and
Germany is whether the present amica.
BILE arrangement namely the most ia
vored nation clause. which has with
stood all mutations OF tariff laws In
both countries for nearly three-fourths
Of century, will be allowed TO stand
under the new situation that will be Gre
nted In Germany by the enforcement Of
the new tariff law and the commercial
treaties which have been based upon t."
The agrarinns and their sympathlzers
want the favored nation privilege with
drawn. while the industrial and CONNER
clal classes are opposed TO so extreme
n policy. The former, however had their
way TO a very large extent In the franz
ing OF the new tariff and there seems ev-
cry reason to expect that they will con-
tinue to- have their way. Germany kas
made treaties with n number Of Euro
pean countries under which those coun-
tries will have the advantage OF the
minimum duties and II is against these
that the American producers must com
pete. If our products are subjected TO
the maximum duties the effect will be 10
exclude them from the German markets,
which would mean a very serious loss OF
trade. In the fiscal year 1904 Germany
imported from this country merchandise
TO the value Of over $218,OO0,OOO. a very
products Of agriculture.
Germany is understood TO desire a
commercial treaty with the United
States under which our products will be
given the minimum tariff rates. 1t has
been stated that President Roosevelt is
favorable to the negotiation OF such a
treaty, but this does not appear to be
the position Of the republican leaders in
congress, II statements emanatlng from
Washington are trustworthy. There
seems to be more talk liberalization than
reciprocity. The conference at Chicago
will perhaps tend TO strengthen recipro-
city sentiment, both among congressman
and the people. The question is GER
tainly important with European govern
ments intent upon adopting measures
hostile 10 American trade It is. mani
festly necessary that something be done
TO counteract this hostility and at least
preserve our trade. II is question
which must he met very soon- and It
should be considered from an entirely
practical standpoint We have large
foreign commerce TO be cared FOR and we
are seeking TO extend 1t, II must be ex-
tended n we are 10 keep our Industries
active and our labor well employed. How
this can best be done is a question OF
the highest Importance to all American
interests.