The Portland daily press., 1884-12-27

sonb anu was sent tnl6 afternoon TO the Onalr-
man OF the Senate on foreign relations:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, D. c., Dec. 26, 1884.
The Hon. John II. Miller, Chairman Of the Com
S.tttes on Foreign Relations Senate
Sir Il have received your letter asking whether
there are any political considerations important to
this country relating to the treaty between the Uni
ted States and Spain as to Cuba and Porto Rico
make in answer 10 objections to the treaty which
you assume have noticed. The negotiation of this
which had already received the sanction of Con-
gress manifested by appropriation originating in
the House for commission to negotiate con-
mercial convention with Mexico. and for a commis-
sion to Central and South America to ascertain
means OF fostering more intimate relations of amty
and commerce with them. The same policy had OBJ
tanned the approval of the Senate by its ratification
OF the convention with Mexico.
The convention now before you in its political as
a disposition in the United States looking to the
annexation Of Cuba. Such action would be unwise
for reasons which are apparent to your committee
for even could 1t be accomplished by general con-
sent our institutions would be endangered by this
beginning of colonial system or by Incorporation
into our body polite of q large population not in
entire sympathy with our governmental means and
methods The treaty removes causes of complaint
as to the treatment of our citizens and their prop
erty in Cuba and Porto Rico which have heretofore
led to serious discussion betwe the two govern
ments. and by bringing the islands into close COM
mercial connection With the United States confers
upon us and upon them all the benefits which
wsuld result from annexation, were that possible.
The convention with Spain is one of series OF
International engagements following the recipr0ci-
ty treaty with Mexico. 1t opens the markets of
Cuba aud Porto Rico to products; the treaty
with Santo Domingo Opens those Of that republic,
ana pending negotiations with the Central Ameri-
can States and with Columbia tend t. the same
subject ia injunction with these the treaty with
Nicaragua for the construction of an inter-oceanic
canal, while bringing the most distant parts of
own couRtry in closer relations, opens the markets
of the west coast Of South America to our trade,
and gives us, at cur doors, customer able to alb
sorb large por ion of those articles which pro-
duce in return for products which cannot profit
ably raise.
to the Spanish convention. 1t is said that there
by give up revenue on sugar of from $25 900 900
to 500, 900 900, in return for reduction of duties
upon our products imported into Cuba and Porto
Rico estimated on the basis of the existing traffic
al from three to i've millions. REIMBURSEMENT Of
revenue when for the public good is ia the line of
the national policy hitherto. 1t was done in the
case of tea and coffee, which, by the act of May
1st, 1872. were placed upon the free list without
any attempt to obtain therefor any equivalent
whatever, and wholly in obedience to the popular
demand for "free breakf4st-table." BY this meas
ure the treasury of the United States has lost dur
ing the last twelve years a revenue of some one
hundred and forty-fs millions on coffee alone
And, besides let us not forget that Brazil avsiled
itself of the action of the governments to impose
export tax upon coffee which deprived the people of
this country of the benefit Of tariff reduction.
Article OF this convention prevents similar action
by Spain. The treaty now under consideration
tends to cheaper the cost of the necessaries of life
by reducing the cost Of staple of daily consump-
tlon OF Wnlcn We are oDllge0 TO import each year,
nearly one hundred millions In value to make up
for the inadequate production of own soil which
amounts to only about II per centum of the whole
consumption.
And the privileged Introduction of tobacco at re-
duced duties has been objected to as reducing tho
revenue and removing protection from the Ameri-
can product and manufacture. As to this it seems
enough to say that convention leaves discrimination
against the imported article of from four to five
times the internal revenue duties on the American
product and secures market hitherto denied for
special manufactures Of tobacco in which excel
and which command profitable market wherever
their Importation is permitted.
A reduction is urged in many quarters of the
internal revenue tax on the manufacture of to-
bacco and this would be loss of some $25. .O00,-
COO annually to the public treasury. This treaty
taken with others of the character stimulates
our general exports, and thereby promotes the in
teress of our manufactures.
After quoting various precedents to prove the
constitutonaity of the Mexican treaty, the letter
concludes as follows:
IF the Spanish treaty does not meet the approval
OF the legislative branch of the government, the
representatives OF the popular will cannot fail.
trust. to perceive that the President has made an
subject Of contention far Cuba and Porto Rico
benefit to our agricultural, manufacturing and COM
aad full protection to the persons and property OF
our citizens abroad.
have the honor to be, sir,
Your obedient servant,
FREDERICK I. FRELINGHuYsEN.