The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-12-14
THE TREATY WITH SPAIN.
MINIS TER FOSTER DISCUSSES IT At
GREi1ER IENGfH.


Mr.. John W. Foster, who negotiated the
cabnn-P Porto Rico reciprocity treaty with Spain.
which has created so much discussion among
business mon. has been In this city for two
days past. He has in that timo met in public
and private n good many people who are in fa-
vor OF the treaty and good many others who
nre opposed to 1t. He said yesterday morning
that he beloved the opposition was becoming
loss pronounced with an increased knowledge
~ the meaning OF tho various sections OF tho
treaty. while tho sentiment In its favor was
growing stronger. In this city tho strongest
opposition has como from tho cigar manufnc-
turers who uso Havana tobacco. When asked
II he thought tho treaty would injuriously NJ
feet tho tobacco interests OF tho country as a
whole. he said:
ON tho contrary tho industry as n whole
will be benefited. The precedent or basis OF
this treaty was the Mexican treaty. Sugar and
tobacco are the chief almost the only. prod
ucts which the tropical countries of America
have to offer in exchange for our products md
manufactures in a reciprocity treaty. Tho
Mexican treaty provided for the free admission
OF loaf tobacco into this country and made no
reduction on tho manufactured article
After consultation with mon in the
various branches OF tho industry, 1t
was concluded that 1t would be more
equitable in this treaty to make so per cont
reduction in the duty on both leaf and manu-
featured tobacco. There seems to be a d ference
OF opinion among tobacco manufacturers
themselves ne to tho OBJECT of the treaty upon
their interests. Some OF tho leading manu-.
facturers announce themselves as heartily in
favor Of the treaty. The admission of Ameri-
can leaf tobacco into Cuba under this treaty Is
regarded as an important benefit to American
pnsers n IN New EnSSHnd New Work pennsy
heretofore the Importation OF all foreign to-
bacco into Cuba has been prohibited. Under
tho treaty large and profitable market will DO
opened there"
Is it true that there is a scarcity OF tobacco
suitable for wrappers in the Cuban product?
am SO informed by the trade. A yenr ago
an American leaf dealer came to Madrid and
that repeal OF the prohibition would be a great
sSceessa The dsrSnt sdes Of the sobaeeo
interest are so conflicting that 1t would be i'm
tion OF tobacco men could not agree on the
wIrdinS OF the provisions OF the treaty which
Do you think that any branch Of the tobacco
industry VII, be really affected injuriously for
No. Doubtless some temporary ON barrass.
ment VIII be suffered on account OF the changed
closed. but | understand, the proprietors an
tba. the hsr of the rea' and
the Una may be PREPARED to adapt themselves to
What will be the effect OF the treaty on
sugar cultivation in the two islands,?
twill create a revival. OF course"
1t is difficult to say. The pndevelopcd aSri-
fhe sp9e a 81 h S
Gus obstruction to \ very great increase in the
1t cannot be denied that tho tendency will
sugar there ii that industry has not already
been destroyed by the beet root overproduc-
low that it cannot bs proiitaby cultivated ted in
rs l. the s duty
tho Spanish Islands there viii be such red iu
ton In price a. will still further emil arrass the
Louisiana planters, But it is to be borne in
sugar has beer, projected by duty which now
he 70 ten ysars 9o per This And
ton. and with the stimulation caused by an in
creased sno eonsumption OF sugar amounting to
what was grown in a ike period Sefoss the
statistics will convince the whole country. en-
cept the score of Louisiana planters, that such
stand in the way 81 securing Tor our cverpro-
an open and extended market In the tropical
countries Of America
ought TO state here that the treaty is in all
other respects highly favorable to tn. southern
States. a considernu. trade already exists in
those islands. although the duty has been
nearly 81 u head. Under the treaty cattle will
Der trade carried on in aoms Of the so Sou
States. Then. too. Notwithstanding tn" vigor-
American rice goes in free and a large market
will be opened up 10 he Carolina and Louisiana
their Industry greatly All other ' rice o viii Reys
70 pay q duty Of almost two cents pound.
Goa Goal :. win be free under the treaty. and
fields OF Alabama. Corn and most other ngri-
hnr AG atu
Is only the initiative Tor the open ng Of free
%Tk ct to all the counties on and about the
ward to the establishment of steamship lines
fE.m a, s Gaiyestobn New Orleans, Mobile Key
ern ports to accommodate the trade that must
NECESSITY T. az TPr lb; ws hovo Ill MON,
the provision trade Of those islands. ''''N
True: and that in the face OF such duties
ter 5 With these "t free What think Rink
large list of manufactured articles now bur
d den With equally heavy duties which win fs
about monorolize the trade OF these islands
while greatly insreastns it. But the signii-
Of the trade Of these islands alone. but in
the opening OF the markets Of all the Amer
and Misunderstanding industries. This tu trea'y
presents me question OF the general policy
m advantage over comye, Ha eur Eusoass an
nations in the trade of these countries by
means OF sucn treaties. III That market Is not
needed for onr products and mnnutactures
We can we'll afford to allow the senate to reject
tho treaty. but ii tho possession OF this large
trade is desirable. and il the present time Of
depression in manufactures is An opportuna
one; we can get no better terms than are offered
In this treaty"
How is the sugar trade OF the world in
general TO be affected by this treaty?
With free Cuban sugar in this country our
whole supply must come in free. Other sugar
producing countries. must obtain similar con-
cesslonS from us. There will necessarily DO
some temporary cmnnrrass to tho i'm
rortcrs who obtain their supplies from other
countries, but they will TO able to readily ADAPT
tnemse YES 10 the changed situation OF affairs
with cheaper sugar for the cons inner the de-
mnnd will increase. and the trade as II whole
Will be benefited in the long run"
What Will tho treaty do for our unfortunate
merchant marine?
The shipping interest is a varied one. and
treaty could nOt meet the wants of all the in
terests, The unsatisfactory condition OF our
shIppinE relations with the Spanish West In
dos haS hoe n a Of = "a Al al nj