The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1884-12-27
Secretary Frelinghuysen's Letter.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2G.-The fol-
lowing self explanatory letter in
regard to the Spanish treaty was
written by Secretary FrellnghuyseD,
and sent this afternoon to the chair
man of the senate committee on
foreign relations,
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, Dec. 26.
To the Hon. John f. miller, Chair
man of the Senate Committee on
foreign relations.
SIR.-I have received your letter,
asking whether there is any political
consideration, important to this
country relating to the treaty between
the United States and SPAN, as to
Cuba and Porto Rico. and also
inquirlng of me whether l have any
suggestions to make, in answer to
the objections to the treaty, which
you assume | have noticed. Motif
cation OF this convention was under
taken pursuant to the policy which
had already received the sanction of
congress, manifested by appropria>
tions originating in the House, for
commissions to negotiate a CONNER
cial convention with Mexico, and for
q commission to Central and South
America, to ascertain means of foster
ing more intimate relations of alnity
and commerce with them. The same
policy obtained the approval of the
Senate by its ratification of the con-
vention with Mexico.
The convention now before you, in
its political aspect, is of great impor-
lance. Some have thought there is a
disposition on the part OF the United
States, looking to the annexation Of
Cuba. Such action would be un-
wise, for the reasons which are ap-
parent to your committee, for wen
could it be accomplished by general
consent, our institutions would be
endangered by the beginning of a
colonial system or by an incorpor-
alton into Jul body polite. A large
portion of the population are not In
eLtire sympathy with our govern
ment's aims and methods. The
treaty removes the causes of COM
plant Is to the treatment of our
citizens and their property in Cuba
and Porto Rico, which have hereto
fore led to serious discussions be-
tween the two Governments, and by
bringing the islands into q close COM
mercial connection with the United
States, Which conters upon US and
upon them all the benefits which
would result from annexation were
that possible. The convention with
Spain Is one of a series of inter-
national engagements following the
reciprocity treaty with Mexico. 1t
opens the markets of Cuba and Porto
Rico to our products.
The treaty with San Domingo
opens that republic, and pending
negotiations with Central American
states, and with Columbia, which
tend to the same object.
In conjunction with these, a treaty.
with Nicaragua for the construction
OF the 1~nter-oceanic canal, while
bringing the most distant parts of
our " country into close relations.
1t will open the markets of the west
coast of South American trade. and
give us at u door customers able to
absorb a large portion of those arti-
cles which we produce in return for
products which we cannot profitablv
raise. Now let me refer to. some OH
1ectlons made to the Spanish conven-
ton. 1t is said we thereby give up
Inc revenue ON sugar, from twenty
hve to t~hlrty-five millions of dollars
n return for the reduction of dn1;as
1p1n u products imported into
Cuba and Porto Rico. estimataS
on the basis of existing traffic at fr"n
three to five millions of r%elinon;on
ment of revenue. when for a,h1;o
good 1t Is in line with nationa, nni;nnc
1t was done IN the case Of cofcyy
Whlch by the act of Nav first 10 :,
was placed upon the free list ~
an attempt to obtain therafcr "nn
equivalent whatever, and soIa,. any
oeeaience to t. g popular demand f ~
..ee breakfast table" Nv this rno .ol
n!e ne treasury Of the United stsee.
nas the last Twelve ,ears es
feVehue Of some SAL, 700 'a's: d