Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 June 1891 — FOR A FOREIGN MARKET [ARTICLE]

FOR A FOREIGN MARKET

VIEWS OF A LARCE EXPORTING MERCHANT. American Resources anil American Com* merce Beady to Contest the Foreign Market—Protection an Obs ruction—Kxport Trafe Hurt by the Tariff. Mr. Ulysses D. Eddy, a member of one of tisi) largest exporting firms of New Yojk City, shows in The Forum that tho prophecy of Richard Cobdon, tho merchant statesman of England, is about to be fulfilled. Cobden warned his countrymen more than fifty years ago that a nation was growing up on the North American continent which, through tho unequaled natural resources of its land and the intense energy of its people, would supplant England in tho primacy of the world’s commerce. Cur exports of manufactured products are as yet far behind those of England. Last year our total exports amounted to nearly 900,000,000, of which only somewhat over 150,000,000 were manufactures. On tho other hand, the exports of Great Bi’itaili amounted to more than 1,500,000,000, of which more than 1,000,000,000 were manufactured goods, the product of British factories. There are signs, however, that our country is awakoning to the fact that there are possibilities of an enormous commerce with the 1,300,000,000 outride of their own boundaries. Americans are turning their attention to tho markets of these vast populations, more than 1,000,000 of whom are not actively engaged in manufacturing.. There are signs that wo are about to enter upon a friendly warfare for tho possession of those vast markets, and there are elements of strength in the American character that will make victory probable. The vividly energetic character of the people, educated in activity by a commerce unohstrudod over a continental area, gives promise of a momentum hard to resist. Tho American celerity of thought and tendency to prompt anion, tho spontaneous ingenuity in adapting means to ends, in seizing every nejy discovery and elaborating it for the uses of man with bewildering swiftness, all make lor continuous and rapid progress The present great development of our commerce and its extension in foreign countries are not looked upon by Mr. Eddy as the outcome of protection. On the contrary, in stating tho disadvantages under which wo have hitherto labored, he says: “F'or many years wo have not. only failed to tight for foreign trade, but wo have defended ourselves behind tariff fortifications against tho attacks of other nations. ’’ This view of a shrewd, practical merchant, who has minutely studied tho markets of tho entire world aud has sold goods in them for years, effectually disposes of tho absurd protension of Senator Aldrich that protection promotes foreign trade. Mr. Eddy indorses reciprocity, but only as a temporary step; “in beginning tho campaign for the world's trade, we first throw up outworks around neutral markets in tho shape of reciprocity treaties. ” There will como/however, a great advance upon the timid policy of reciprocity. “After operating for a time in tho shelter of the reciprocity breastworks, our people may discover that these breastworks hamper rathor than help them in a further advance. They will learn how much the enemy fears them, and, gathering courage, will move out into the open field of tho neutral markets. The struggle there will be a severo one, but it is difficult to see how, with our resources, we cun fail of ultimate success. ” There are great and promis'ng markets awaiting ns in foreign countries, if we will but cast off our tariff shackles. “ Tho now commonwealth of Australia, tho greatest consuming nation in tho world in proportion to population, Ims always preferred quality to cheapness, and is ono of our best customers. Whenever our people are ready to admit her wool duty free, we can rest assured that she will grant a generous trade equivalent. British Mouth Africa has long bought many goods from tho United States, but asks free entry for her wool boforo she will grant us favors. Her ports are tho gateways to tho great African gold fields and diamond mines. Her railways are pushing for the heart of Africa, and already reach long distances from the coast. ” Such are the views of a man who is selling American manufactures all over the world, who knows the wants of those markets, and what Americans can sell In them. Hon. William J. Coombs, M. C., who is the head of the great exporting firm of which Mr. Eddy is a member, has pointed out how our exporting trade is crippled by the tariff in making it difficult for ships which take away our manufactures and farm products to get return cargoes in foreign lands. In an address before the New York Reform Giub, of which he is a eading member, Mr. Coombs said, nearly two years ago: “In order to run ships, either sail or steam, at a profit, there are two things that are certainly necessary, viz., outward cargoes and return cargoes. * * The owner of a vessel who charters it for a voyage to Buonos Ayres ortho Capo colonies does so with no expectation of getting a return cargo to this port, but calculates upon taking ono from thero to Europe. If ho wishes to return to this couritry ho must, except under unusual circumstances, come back in ballast. His rate of charter is fixed upon tills basis. * * Our houso has repeatedly within tho present year chartered vessels in foreign ports to como to this country in ballast in order to take away merchandise for which wo had orders. At tho present moment wo have six such charters pending. This not only Involves long delays but enormously increases cost, and for both reasons puts us at a great disadvantage in comparison with our European rivals. ”