New-York tribune., 1910-03-31
MINIMUM RATES
TO WHOLE WORLD
TARIFF AGREEMENT
WIIH CANADA.
President Taft Signs Procla-
nations and IaJ1tes Dominion
Ofciels 10 Conference.
GFron' Tho Tribune Bureau ,


Washington, March 30-Presideut Tai.
to-day signed proclamations granting the
minimum rates under the Payne AIdrfch
tariff law TO Canada. Australia and sew
eral less important countries. These
pSoclamations. with a few which will bs
signed tomorrow. complete the exten-
sion Of minimum rates to the Who'll.
world. About one hundred and thirty
nations and dependencies are Included IN
the Est
The work involved in Determining
whether or not any OF the nations IN
Guided m this long list were discrfnninat
ing against The products Of the JJnited
states has occupied the attention OF the
Tariff Board and other officials OF the
government almost continuously since
the passage OF the tariff act last August.
The schedules OF all these nations have
been critically examined by experts. and
where doubt has existed the services OF
the diplomatic and consular officers OF
the United States were employed.
Although no official statement fs avail
able at this time as to the net results Of
the negotiations with all the nations OF
the world. SO far as the rates on Ameri-
can products are concerned the adminis-
tratlon regards them as eminently salts
factory. n seml-officiai statement is
made, however, that from this time for
ward from 30 to go per cent of the prod
ucts OF the United States will be admit
ted TO foreign countries free of duty. and
that Of the products which pay duty In
foreign countries 50 per cent will he en-
titled 10 the minimum foreign rates. A
large proportion of these products hith-
erto have paid the minimum rates.
The Agreement with Canada.
When President Taft signed the proc-
lamation according 10 Canada the mimi
mum rate under the new tariff law the
Secretary of state also made public the
nature OF the agreement by which the
obstacle of undue discrimination on the
part of Canada was removed This
agreement includes the understanding.
adopted on the initiative Of the United
States. that at a time and in a manner
mutually satisfactory the two govern
ments will take up the consideration of
the readjustment Of trade relations on
broader and more liberal lines-pre-
sumabIy by means Of a treaty of reci-
procity. The Canadian governments in
return, proposes to grant 10 the United
States the intermediate tariff rate on
thirteen numbers, carrying about forty
articles, in addition 10 a reduction on
articles Included in the omnibus clause
which arc not specifically mentioned IN
the tariff Law
The intermediate rates-which are the
same on the articles included in the con-
cession as the rates OF the Franco Cana
dian treaty-apply 20 business amount
ing approximately TO S500o06o out of
total of $1S0.025. 500 of exports from the
United States to Canada. The chief
items are dried fruits and nuts. photo
graphs, pictures and works OF art. soaps
and soap powders. perfumery and toilet
preparations. tableware of china and
porcelain. leather and leather goods.
feathers and feather goods
The tariff rate on articles covered by
the omnibus clause is to be reduced from
2O 70 171a per cent. The most important
article of export under this head Is cot
tonseed oil other articles are mineral
waters and ceIuloid manufactures.
Dominion Officials Invited.
Following the proclamation of ths
agreement. il was announced that Pres
ment officials to conference looking to
closer trade relations between the two
countries and To genera! -eadjustmene
of duties
The Presidents invitation is included
in an exchange OF notes between Secre-
tary Knox and the Dominion govern
ment The note expresses satisfaction
AT the happy termination IF tae tarifr
negotiations. and the hope that the way
has beer, opened for an early settie1enc
of all the differences between the two
governments. including the troubiesoms
question of the water boundary Inc.
The note then expresses the belief
from the American point "f vi"w that the
time is ripe for a conference looking tn
the improvements Of trade relations bs-
tween the two countries. IN discussing
the subject to-day Mr. Taft would not
go So far as To- say that the proposed
conference IS the foreruuner Of reciproc-
ity. What he hopes is that il may result
I'm n conplete veadjustment of tarirr
rates. without either country abandoning
it's natioral economic policy.
The unofficial story oF the negotiations
with canada looking 10 the settlement
announced to day. by which Canada is
declared entitled to the minimum rates
of the Payne Aldrich law. IS perhaps
more interesting than the specific an
ncuncement as To- Just what articles are
Included in the concessions granted IN
either side,
Mr.. Taft Took Initiative.
President Tcft has from the first let
IL be known that he woulG go long vay
to avoid tariff war with Canada Such
war. he believed. would bear heavily
on American interests and manufactures.
The president TOOK the initiative IN in
viting Minister Yielding 20 Albany TO
discuss the existing differences The
exchange OF views az Albany Indicated
that peace was assured.
The charge tnat CaHada was unduly