Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-01-02
NEWS FROM WASHINGTON
THE MERITS OF THE SPANISH TREATY
secretary Er"linghuyscn Discusses the
Treaty and Answers some of the
Objections to it, Ratiiicatiou-
How il will Benefit Is.

WANItlNrroN Dee. 2G-Thc following
letter mas been written by Secretary Ere
snghuyscn and sent to the chairman of
the Senate committee on foreign relations.
To the Hon. John +. Miller chairman of
the senate committee ON foreign relations.
Sir: have received your letter asking
whether there are any political COnsidera-
lions important to this country relating
to the treaty between the United States
and Spain as to Cuba and Porto Rico and
; also inquiring of me whether | have any
suggestions TO make in answer 10 the oh.
jections to the treaty which you assume
nave noticed. The negotiation of this
convention was an undertaking pursuant
20 the policy which had already received
me sanction of Congress- manifested by
appropriations originating IN the House
lor commissioners to negotiate Il CONNER
clal convention with Mexico and for n
commission to Central and South Amcrf-
ca. to ascertain the means of fostering
more intimate relations of amitv and
commerce with them. The same policy
mad obtained the removal of the Senate by
y rhtllcallon of the convention with
Mexico. The convention now before
you in its political aspect is of imp0rt-
ancc. some have thought that these is Il
disposition in the United States looking
20 tie annexation OF Cuba. Such action
would he unWi>e for reasons which urc an
parent to Nourcommttee: forever couldit
he accomplished by general consent our
institutions would he pndangcrcd by
thlS beginning of a colonial system or bv Il
Incorporation into our body polite of Il
.arEe population not IN entire sympathy
with our governmental aims and mctn-
DDS. The treaty removes the causes of
complaint rs to the treatment of our citi-
Zehs ana their property in Cuba and
Porto Rico, which have heretofore led to
serious discussion between the the two
governments and 10y bringing the islands
INTO close commercial connection with
the United States, confcrs upon us
ana upon them, all the benefit
which would result from annexation were
mat possible. 1t opens the markets of
Cuba and Porto Rico to our products,
Inc treaty with Sdnto Domingo opens
those of that republic and the pending
negotiations with the Central American
states and with Columbia tend to the
same OBJECT. In conjunction with these
me treaty with Nicaragua opens the mar
ketS Oi the west coast of South America to
our trade and gives Us at our doors il Gus
,"nef able luahsorha large portion of those
articles which we produce in return for
products which we cannot protiIably rise
Now let me refer to some OF the obicc-
Mons made to the spanish convention. 1t
= said that we thereby give up Il revenue
on sugar from 50. 900. 600 to $50 900 600 in
return lor reduction OF duties upon our
ptouucts imported mo Cuba and Porto
hlco estimated at from three to five mil
mons. The REIMBURSEMENT of revenue
NiIrh lHt me puhllc good Is III the line of
Iitoifh pollcE' iiltnrrto 1t was done i'll
me case oi 'ra ana c"licc which by the act
~ wa! l. 49, were placed ON the free
.I>t without attempt to obtain there
.uI an! c4'HS"'eht whatever. The
treaty now uhGer consideration tends
10 Chraivu me cost oil the ncCcSsalleS of
ne ~ irduclh- the cost of staple of
dit!I3 CONSUMPTION of which we are oblig
ga 10 mp n clti. year nearly one hundred