The Washington herald., 1907-01-16

procity. he said, was not so important
with regard TO South American trade.
owing 10 the diversity of production be
tween North and South America. There
were. however some countries IN regard
TO whose products he would like very
much To see an opportunity to make
reciprocity treaties But, ne continued.
4 DO not think the broad subject eOt
reciprocity can be considered and dis
cussed without going into a consideration
OF the whole form Of our tariff laws. In
my judgment the United States must
come to a maximum and minimum tariff.
"A single, straight-out tariff was all
very well In "A world of single straight
out tariffs. but we have passed on during
the course of years into a world. for the
most part. Of maximum and minimum
tariffs; and without single-rate tariff We
are left with very little opportunity 10
reciprOcate good treatment from other
countries in their tariffs. and very little
opportunity TO defend ourselves against
bad treatment. Every country IN the
world can put up its tariff against our
products as compared with similar prod
ucts from other countries without suf-
fering for it so far as our present law is
concerned. Every country I'm the world
knows that if it puts down the rate on
our products in its tariff. it viii get no
benefit from il, because we have TO
charge the same rate 10 that country
That we do 10 the country which treats
us the worst in respect to its tariff
rates"
In conclusion. Mr.. Root dwelt upon the
necessity of an efficient consular service
In the past. he said. this service had been
exceedingly uneven. When Mr. Root fin
lsned a delegate arose and proposed that
Ihfee cheers be given to the Secre etary Of
state. They were, and tiger too.
Secretary Straus Is Heard.
Secretary oscar S. Straus. of the De
partment Of Commerce and Labor. and
John Barrett, director Of the nterna-
uonal Bureau Of American Republics,
were the principal speakers at the after
noon session of the convention.
Mr.. Straus dwelt at length on the
growth Of the trade relations Of the
United States with other countries. The
sentiment Of friendship and cordiality
which has accompanied the development
OF commerce with foreign nations should
be continued and fostered. he said. BY
personal relations with the representa-
tives OF the various nations i'm the con-
sGlar and diplomatic relationship. the
prosperity and wonderful commercial de-
veiOpment may be continued. ne said
For the purpose OF properly expanding
and charging our trade. Secretary Straus
said that il was Of the highest import
ance that the executive branch Of the
government should not be hampered by
narrOwness or hort-sightedness on the
part Of lawmakers. This, he thought.
would act as "a check upon foreign com
merce for this country.
our trade with China grew with rap
idity so long as the exclusion law was
clearly understood TO apply only to the
c0olie class" he said. Her merchants
and travellers and representative people
visited this country freely and sent their
sons to be educated at our schools. col
leges. and universities. In ike manner
Americans visited China freely. and the
number of our people residing in that
country increased from less than 1900 in
1894 TO over $500 in 1904 30
He also made reference 10 our rela-
tion with Japan, and Of the development
OF business with that country.
Refers To Japan.
He said; a nation cannot offend an
people any more than an individual NOR
chant or manufacturer can expect to
hold customers whom he openly offends
or brutally insults. International cour-
tesy is as essential TO international good
VIII as is a similar relationship between
individuals. and the consequences in the
former case are far more serious and
permanent The merchants and manu- I
facturers of our country can perform no I
more valuable service TO the nation and I
IN the promotion Of foreign commerce /
than in strengthening public sentiment
10 support the government in cultivat5hS
those good relations with other nations /.
which are so essential TO good Will and /
good trade relations.
Secretary Straus was voted "a declara- /
ti0n Of thanks at the conclusion Of his /
address
John Barrett, former United States min
lister 20 Columbia. was sine next speaker
he paid Secretary Root several high COM /
pliments, and said that never in the his I
tory Of the world had a diplomatic Jour I
Dey been made equal 10 that of the Sec /
retary Of state during his recent visit 10 1
South American countries Mr.. Barrett I
spoke Of the great prosperity and deveI- /
opment of the countries In Latin /
and urged the people Of this 4
country TO cultivate the friendship of /
the people and the development Of the 4
trade relations