Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 November 1901 — BRAZIL FAVORS AMERICAN FLOUR. [ARTICLE]

BRAZIL FAVORS AMERICAN FLOUR.

The Brazilian Chamber of Deputies has voted to increase the duty on flour Imported in bags, leaving that on flour which comes in barrels unaltered. Argentine flour is shipped to Brazil in bags and American flour in barrels. Thus the legislation which has been mentioned favors the American at the expense of the Argentine millers. During the last twelve months about two

and three-quarter million dollars’ worth of flour was sent to Brazil from this country. Ten years ago, thanks to the reciprocity treaty then in force, the Hour shipments were much larger than they are now. They will increase if Argentine flour has to pay more than American flour. Wfcy the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies should make a change In tli.e tariff law which, according to the dispatches, is disap-

proved of by the public, Is unexplained. It may be, however, that the Brazilian government is nervous lest the United States, which now admits coffee free, should put a duty on it or should legislate In some way against Brazilian coffee, of which this country is so large a consumer. The Porto Ricans have been asking for the Imposition of a duty on all Brazilian coffee entering their Island, for the protection of their own product. It may be that the Brazilian government has decided that it will be well to make friendly advances to the United States so that It may be less Induced to give the Porto Ricans the relief they ask for. The United States took $45,000,000 worth of coffee from Brazil last year and that country ought to be willing to make liberal concessions to preserve so profitable a trade.