The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-06

The above statement shows that IF nearly seven
millions imported into the island in Spanish vessels in
that year, only $ll $50 was from the United States
and OF nearly one and half millions exported, only
~, ~ was to the United States
ii is true the imports all articles OF foreign
merchandise: but, if Spanish vessels bad been at
liberty to trade with the United States similar
terms as they do ut European markets, they would
have procured large amount Of the same foreign
articles from bonded warehouses; and what
would have been still advanta geous, they
would, to some extent. have substituted similar
articles of American for European production; for,
Of this heavy importation from Europe very large
amount is the same description Of lnercha ndise
which the United States formerly supplied, but
which trade has been diverted from thea BY the
operation OF the law Of 1884.
OF course all articles Of foreign inhric could not
be procured in the United States cheap in the
countries of their production; but under former
drawback and present bonded warehouse system.
they could be furnished mt so small an advance upon
the European COS. that the Spanish traders would
most frequently seek ior them in our markets al
The moment when they were most wanted, m her
than incur the much greater delay III procuring
them from Europe. and the risk of m nniavnrabie
change in their own market in the mean time: and
Of East India goods. Of which the consumption in
those islands is Of great Importance, the Unit ID
States could furnish supplies even at something Of
lsSa than the merchants oi Europe (suiiccntiy
50 to he considered an object 10 tie Sp,nisl,
traders), independent OF the contingent advantages
ia time already referred to.
The table previously referred to SHOWS that Eng
land and other foreign nations have almost aneniirs
monopoly OF supplying foreign fabrics 10 Cubs and
Porto Rico, when the United States should enjoy
very large portion Of it. The importer Of Cuba for
merry relied upon the American markets for heavy
supplies Of foreign goods. principally from Russia.
China, England. and France, and especially for
those goods which suffice, To the cairices OF
taste and fashion such goods had already paid
freight to our own vessels. and II commission or
psoit 10 our merchants. and we could therefore,
tllu
lege of being the carriers Of them for the short
voyage from ports to Cuba, where the
freight must necessarily be Of but small amount.
10 realize more clearly the heavy tax imposed
upon foreign fabrics exported from the United
states 10 Cuba. is necessary to nlbcr that,
though their tariff is nominslly od rdiOirm, il i
practically specific. Eroadcloh. for instance. i,
classified in the tariff Of different qualities that Of
first quality is fixed al - per yard. without any
gard 10 invoice cost. OF which notice is taken
the custom house. TN this valuation = duty i
levied Of % per cent in spanish, and 81 in foreign
vessels, making difference III favor Of The former Of
10 cent per yard. which j. probably - Ia Il peg
cen, upon the real cost of The article
On rice and lard. both articles y! heavy EXPORT
from the United States. the dn'v ot - per cent j,
levied the former. n iAed valualion Of cents.
and on The latter of II cents per peunJ. both far
above Extraordinary cost IN tile tni cd states
that, though the nominal difference III favor Of the
Spanish dag is only 10 PEI cent. the read difference
j. about 70 pei cent on the average invoice cost of
those articlo-.
Ia consequence Of The lower rate OF freight and in
surance FROM he United States TO Cuba. aud the
promptnesS with which we can supply any special
demand in the market. 4 merchant Of Havana you'll
perhaps. IN the article of cloth alluded to above.
willingly pay u o. ~ cents per yard more 10. that
quality in an American ,rnihet. rather than imam
DELAY of some month, u proCal. II .itm Et ,,c
when however. ia addition to the above advance.
he il further compelled by the American gpveui-
ncnt to raw an additional cost of 80 cent. pei yard
III the shape Of an export duty ii shipped IN SPIN
ish vessel Or like duty il Cuba when imported, uu-
der the American flag. II acts ~ prohibition - hi
seeking tor such goods III the United States. and he
i. compelled ia looa 10 Europe for hi> supply. Hi,
difference oi dUt OF cloth !. about 4 lsiy average
Of the difference rp.a,,l> other dty goods hard
ware. and those European productions whose bulk
is il limited propo,ii?nn I: heir ,ala:: can ~
w.l! mass,ncr what ! lie operation u -uch iir-
ference .'"olied 1. our ,oi'sn fabrics When brought
I'M . competition With those Of England Belgium
and Switzerland and il very readily account. in
the actual monopoly which European nations now
possess a. to the supply Of those is'ands with thai
description Of i,bric. 10 our entire exclusion.
f,v the records OF the department i appcols TINT.
previous to the enactment Of the law under discus
sion. the exports of foreign MERCHANDISE from the
United states to Cuba ~ some year, amounted 70
nearly two millions OF dollars. and the average from
1923 to 1892 was ST. ,063 600. This branch oil our
commerce to that colony instead Of mcrca ing with
the greatly increased population and wants vi Cuba.
his diminished that The average annual export
oi such fabrics dnring the last ter years MS been
ony $3.50 900. and Tor the last fiscal year amounted
in all TO but A276:000, of which s2650DD was i,
American and, a. sheady shown. 81 400 ~ Spa.
nl~h vessels.
If thirty yesr. since orr annual export Of foreign
merchandise 10 Cuha wa. nearly two millions Of dot
lars we. should. taking into view her largely ~
creased population. wealth. and consumption, now
supply her with three four million. u similar inor-
chandisc instead Of which it doe. not amount To the
tithc Of that estimate.
1t is not alone in thc trade in foreign fabrics WIN
Cuba in which the United States have been injured
W the act oil 1884 but We may ascribc 10 the ope-
ration oi that act the almost total absence nom the
shops aud warehouses Of that island The productions
o. our own manufactures, which. since that perlod
have grown 80 much IN extent variety and cheap
ness In largo number Of cotton fabrics, IL Is well
Known those OF the United States successfully COM
pete. and even take precedence in some parts OF
South America, and other markets. with those Of
Cheat Britain; but they cannot do in tho markets
OF the Spanish colonies, where the extra dxty levied
uroa ibem BY the operation of the act Of 1884 il