Mr. Buchanan to Mr. Gresham.

No. 49.]

Sir: Referring to my telegram of the 4th instant, I beg to submit my reasons for asking the sanction of the Department as outlined therein and my subsequent action.

There have been several references made in the public press of this city to the effect that it was the understood purpose of this Government to either place lumber, kerosene, and agricultural implements on the free list or greatly reduce the duties thereon in compliment to the supposed purpose of the United States of placing wool on the free list. This view has been understood to meet the favor, either wholly or in a measure, of the distinguished Argentine minister in Washington, Dr. Zeballos.

A similar inference is contained in the remarks made by the present minister of foreign affairs, Dr. Costa, during his call at my residence, referred to in my No. 28.

I have taken pains to study this subject closely since my arrival, and am of the opinion that the probability of such a course being carried out by Congress, in whole or largely, is doubtful. I believe it will require an effort to secure any striking concessions from the present unequal and heavy tariff on many of our products.

I am led to this conclusion for three reasons.

  • First. The belief common here that this country has been very generous to the United States in custom laws; that our people do a large and profitable business here; that the balance of trade is in our favor, and that it requires “free wool” to place any credit on our side of the account.
  • Second. The fact that 75 per cent of the revenues of the Republic come from its custom-house, considering the large expenses the Government has to meet and the improbability of any change being made in the direction of a more equitable system of general taxation than now exists, it would seem to indicate that the custom-house will still be looked to as the main source of income.
  • Third. Should the illogical and unjust system of applying ad valorem duties to arbitrary and fictitious values be done away with, it would necessitate, if the present customs revenue be maintained, a complete revision and advance in the present tariff rates; this, I believe would appear to people here to be a step in the wrong direction; it would also oblige a revision of the present Government method of calculating the value of imports, which is responsible for the prevalent idea of the extent and value of our trade. I am not prepared to believe the present Congress will go to any such length, although I am informed that the Government tariff bill when presented will be vigorously [Page 8] attacked by several Members of Congress who are outspoken in advocating low duties and more equitable general taxation.

I am, nevertheless, clear that an earnest effort should be made to have present evils, where they affect us, corrected so far as possible.

With that purpose in view, I at once acted on your telegram of the 7th instant, and addressed to the foreign office, on the 11th, a note concerning the subject, accompanying it with three statistical tables showing the status of our trade with this country, the errors of the Argentine statistics with reference thereto, and the excessive and unjust duties exacted from some of our largest export items to this country. To the copy of this note and inclosures herewith attached, I respectfully call your attention, trusting the presentation made will meet your approval.

Referring again to the subject of the Argentine statistics with reference to our exports to this country, I feel sure that a careful perusal of the tables inclosed will justify my suggestions that Consul Baker should be instructed to use great caution in embodying them in his reports, inasmuch as such a course gives a quasi indorsement and certificate of good character to their errors when published in our Consular Reports.

A reference to Consul Baker’s reports and a comparison of the figures given by him as to our trade here, taken from the Estadistica de la Republica Argentina, with our Commerce and Navigation for the same years will clearly illustrate the reason for the belief existing here as to the immensity of our trade.

I have, etc.,

William I. Buchanan.
[Inclosure 1 in No. 49.]

Mr. Buchanan to Señor Costa.

Mr. Minister: I have the honor to inclose herewith for the consideration of your excellency the tables referred to in my note of the 8th instant.

It is especially gratifying to me to know that the subject of closer commercial relations between this Republic and the United States is one regarding which your excellency and the distinguished minister now representing this Government in Washington have given so many and such kindly assurances of interest and good will.

The expressions so generously made by your excellency of the wish of this Government to do all that it consistently can to encourage the people of the United States in extending their commerce here have been transmitted to and are most kindly remembered by my Government.

Under such circumstances I deem it only necessary to briefly call your excellency’s attention to the conclusious easily drawn from the tables inclosed, feeling that the burdens now placed on some great items of the imposts of the United States into this Republic by reason of high duties and fictitious custom-house valuation will be equitably, fairly, and promptly adjusted.

It seems desirable, in view of the erroneous impressions existing among the people of this Republic regarding the extent of the trade of the United States with your country, to first call your excellency’s attention to Exhibit A.

I can only account for this belief among your citizens on the theory that it is based on the assumption that the figures given out by your statistical office regarding this subject are correct.

I am sorry to say these figures are so much at variance with the United States statistics, as they apply to our imports here, that I have been at a loss to understand how your statistician reaches conclusions so manifestly erroneous and misleading.

I have given the subject careful study, knowing the method used by the statistical office of the United States in determining values to be the same employed in applying ad valorem duties, namely, basing calculations on the current market price in the country of origin, and am forced to two conclusions:

First, that your statistics of the value of imports from the United States used the erroneous and fictitious values placed on our goods by your custom-house law as [Page 9] a basis; and, secondly, that your statistician has charged to the United States the entry trade of Canada and possibly some other countries.

His figures given in the Estadistica de la Republica Argentina for 1892 are exceedingly unjust to the commerce of my country, as they convey the belief that the balance of trade was largely against the Argentine Republic during that year, when the contrary was the fact.

They are again unjust because they give color to the belief among your citizens that our trade is very large and profitable, and from, these beliefs results the idea that the United States have decided advantages in this commerce, in return for which they have not dealt as liberally by the products of this country as they should have done.

The facts evidenced by the United States statistics given in Exhibit A show that the balance of trade for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892, was $2,415,310 in favor of the Argentine Republic; that during that year 73 per cent of the commerce of this Republic entered the ports of the United States free of duty as against 6 per cent of the commerce of the United States entering the Argentine Republic free of duty.

Believing in the doctrine that the greatest commercial freedom should be enjoyed by all peoples, your excellency will appreciate my gratification on the extent of your country’s trade in the United States and of the generous reception now accorded your products by our laws.

This generosity and the evidence now being given of the wish of the Government of the United States to deal with the subject of commerce on broad ground will, I feel sure, be responsively met by your excellency’s Government in every consistent manner where wrongs exist.

It is not necessary for me to say that my Government remembers kindly the treatment accorded in a large way on one line of manufactures, wherein the United States are large producers and wherein they have indirectly been enabled to return to aid in the development of your agricultural greatness.

Exhibit B gives in detail the statistics of both countries as they apply to the imports from the United States into this country for the same year covered by Exhibit A. This table will bear close study, as it contains in the totals of some groups enormous differences, which illustrate graphically the unjustness of your system of custom valuations as applied to some of our products, notably in the case of lumber.

To Exhibit C I desire particularly to call your excellency’s careful attention. The illustrations there given of the burdens placed on some of the large items in the commerce of the United States with this country, by reason of the application to them of a system of valuations utterly inconsistent with their worth in the markets of origin, will, I feel sure, strongly suggest to your excellency’s sense of fairness and equity the justness of insuring a careful and satisfactory revision, both in the duty and the valuation, on many items entering into our commerce with this country.

Indeed, I am so certain that it is but necessary to have the subject brought to your attention, as I am now doing, to secure the desired modifications and corrections that I will not add to the force of the figures given any further argument, reserving such explanations and comments as may seem proper for the personal interview I hope to have the pleasure of having with your excellency regarding the subject.

It is inconsistent with the generous treatment now accorded the products of the Argentine Republic by the United States, with the generous actions of your excellency’s Government heretofore regarding the same general subject, and equally so with the commendable and worthy desire on the part of your excellency’s Government to see still greater freedom accorded in the markets of the United States to your products, to believe that your excellency’s Government will allow great items in the existing trade of the United States in this country to be burdened by high tariffs, unjust valuations, and consequent excessive duties.

I am, therefore, not prepared to accept the view that any request is necessary to secure for the yellow or pitch pine of the United States the same tariff rates applying to spruce pine, and a valuation closely related to its market price in the seaboard markets of the United States to secure for kerosene, lubricating, and cottonseed oil more consistent duties than now imposed, and to have extended in a broad and mutually advantageous manner the classification of agricultural implements and farm machinery, including farm wagons therein.

These changes, with others that will suggest themselves to your excellency as wise, beneficial, and to the mutual advantage of both countries, will add greatly to the enlargement of the trade of the Argentine Republic in the United States.

I should be highly pleased to be able to cable my Government at an early day that this Government will, in its tariff bill to be presented to Congress, continue its policy of encouraging the commerce of the United States and will most amply, generously, and equitably deal with the questions affecting it as herein submitted.

I am at your excellency’s disposal to confer with reference to this subject and avail, etc.,

William I. Buchanan.
[Page 10]

comparative statistics.

Exhibit A.

Total trade between the United States and the Argentine Republic, as shown by the official figures of each country, for the fiscal and calender year 1892.

Dutiable. Free. Total. Free.
Imports into the United States from the Argentine Republic for the fiscal year ending June 30, 18921 $1,422,175 $3,921,623 $5,343,798 Per cent. 73
Exports from the Argentine Republic to the United States for the calendar year 18922 4,831,454

1 Figures taken from Commerce and Navigation of the United States, 1892.

2 Figures taken from the Estadistica do la Repnblica Argentina, 1892. No figures given except total.

Note.—Per cent shown by United States statistics in excess of Argentine statistics, 10.

Total trade between the United States and the Argentine Republic, as shown by the official figures of each country, for the fiscal and calendar year 1892.

Domestic goods. In bond. Total.
Exports from the United States to the Argentine Republic for the fiscal year ending June 30, 18921 $2,643,325 2$284,163 $2,927,488
Imports into the Argentine Republic from the United States for the calendar year, 18923 7,376,583

1 Figures taken from Commerce and Navigation of the United States, 1892.

2 Less than $2,000 of “In bond” paid duty to the United States; goods simply reshipped.

3 Figures taken from the Estadistica de la Republica Argentina, 1892.

Note—Per cent shown by Argentine statistics in excess of United States statistics, 152; per cent free according to Argentine figures, 9; deducting coal, per cent falls to 6 deducting for evident error in plows and result will be about 5.

recapitulation.

Imports from the Argentine Republic into the United States (according to Commerce and Navigation of United States, 1892) $5,343,798
Exports from the Argentine Republic to the United States (according to the Estadistica de la Republic Argentina) 4,831,454
Excess of United States figures over Argentine figures 512,344
Per cent of excess of United States figures over Argentine figures 10
Imports from the United States into the Argentine Republic (according to the Estadistica de la Republica Argentina, 1892) 7,376,583
Exports from the United States to the Argentine Republic (according to Commerce and Navigation of United States, 1892) 2,927,488
Excess of Argentine figures over United States figures 4,449,095
Per cent Excess of Argentine figures over United States figures 152
Balance of trade in 1892 in favor of the Argentine Republic 2,415,310
Per cent of goods free from the United States in the Argentine Republic in the United States 73
Per cent of goods free from the United States in the Argentine Republic (coal only deducted). 6
[Page 11]

Exhibit B.

Differences by groups in value of imports from the United States into the Argentine Republic for the year 1892.

[Note.—The United States figures are taken from Commerce and Navigation of the United States for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1892. The Argentine figures are taken from the Estadistica de la Republica Argentina for the calendar year 1892.]

Articles. Argentine figures. United States figures. Excess over United States figures. Excess over Argentine figures.
Agricultural implements $1,201,239 $781,940 $419,299
Books and printed matter 23,051 21,395 1,656
Cotton goods cordage and twine 944,749 417,546 527,203
Coal 237,813 15 237,798
Drugs, chemicals and medicines 55,289 40,932 14,357
Glassware, lamps, and chandeliers 18,991 15,338 3,653
Iron and manufactures of 824,896 248,023 576,873
Wood, and manufactures of 2,874,546 686,359 2,188,187
Oils and rosin 672,164 563,270 108,894
Turpentine 32,674 52,164 $19,490
Firearms, rockets, and explosives 18,994 10,786 8,208
Meat and meat products 8,750 3,664 5,086
Tobacco and cigars 3,366 23,925 20,559
All others 460,066 62,136 397,930
Total 4,489,144 40,049
40,049
Net difference of Argentine figures over the United States figures 4,449,195

Exhibit C.

Actual duty paid on certain articles under present Argentine tariff.

Table 1.

Lumber. Cost at United States seaboard per 1,000 feet. Cost at United States seaboard per square meter. Customhouse value per square meter. Per cent of duty. Per cent of duty actually paid on cost at United States seaboard.
White pine No. 7 (65 per cent comes from Canada) $30.00 $0.33 1 $0.45 5 9
Spruce pine (75 per cent comes from Canada) 11.50 .14 1.45 5 19
Pitch pine (forming 75 per cent of domestic lumber trade of the United States to the Argentine Republic) 10.50 .13 2.50 25 110
Black walnut 125.00 1.34 31.00 25 17½
Cherry 120.00 1.29 31.00 25 19

1 $41.80 per 1,000 feet.

2 $46.45 per 1,000 feet.

3 $92.90 per 1,000 feet.

Table 2.

Articles. Quantities and manner exported. Cost in New York. Per cent of duty. Per cent of duty actually paid on cost in New York.
Kerosene Case of 10 gallons equal 38 liters. $0.85 Per liter, 2 89½
Lubricating oils: One quality Shipped in barrels of 46½ gallons. Contents weigh 158 kilos; empty barrel weighs 32 kilos; total weight, 190 kilos. Per gallon, $0.07; empty barrel costs $1.50; total cost, $4.75. Per kilo, 3 1120
Highest quality Same as above Per gallon, $0.20 Per kilo, 3 253

1 Add freight, 7 cents per gallon, and duty stands at 71.

2 Add freight, and duty stands at 40.

[Page 12]

Table 3.—Actual duty paid on certain articles under present Argentine tariff.

Articles. Quantities and manner exported. Cost in New York. Argentine custom-house value. Per cent of duty. Per cent of duty actually paid on cost in N. Y.
Cotton seed oil. Cases of 10 gallons; weight, including case, 48 kilos. Per case, $4.65 Per kilo, $0.25 Per kilo, 12 1124
Varnish Tin packages of various sizes. Per kilo, average, $0.20. Per kilo, $0.80 Per kilo, 25 100
Chairs Dozen Per dozen, $3 Per dozen, $5 Per dozen, 60 100

1 This is valued in custom-house law at 25 cents per kilo, or 150 per cent above cost in New York.