Los Cerrillos rustler. (Cerrillos, N.M.) 188?-1891, 1890-11-07
CUBA'S PLIGHT.
Cuban Tobacco Men Plead with
the Spanish Government
A RECIPROCITY TREATY URGED.
The spanish Isw of COMMERCIAL Relations
= Deadly iniufy 60 Cuha a Basine-s
Crs-is Imminent Unls-. Change.
Are Made.

WAsmN0roN. Oct sL--The Depart
ment Of State has received a copy Of a
petition forwarded By the Tobacco
Growers and Cigar Manufacturers
Union % Cuba 10 the Spanish Govern.
mont, urging the negotiation Of a rcci-
procity treaty between the island Of
Cuba and the United States The petit
TONERS assert that they are confronted
with a simple problem: "On the n
side ruin. stagnation misery and vague
hopes and on the other side abundance.
wealth and a promising future"
The spanish law Of commercial rcla-
tions OF iss2, framed for the purpose OF
protecting the spanish products the
petition says deals Cuba a deadly blow
while at the same time the productions
Of Spain receive no benefit from H. The
greater part OF the Spanish goods inn
ported, IL is asserted, do not need the
protection given them. The petition,
aftor urE ng the repeal Of this law OF
1ss2 rs a necessary preliminary to the
negotiation Of a reciprocity treaty. says:
THE United States buy from us to-
bacco and sugar to the extent OF SOL
000, coo and 10 Is is not strange that the
American Government should make
itself strong on the absolute necessity
we have Of that market 81 as to de-
mand reciprocal concess ons, or which
Is the same thing, exemption for their
flour, lard, machinery, hardware and
other articles in our tariff, so as to in
crease the exports TO this island. In
one word, they want to pay us for the
tobacco and sugar they consume with
the goods hat they produce. To-day
they only sell to us $40. 900, 600 or Si2,-
900. 900, and they desire TO increase
this amount TO the S5l, 600, 600
they buy from us This is what
the Mckinley bill amounts to. For
sugar, IL will be effective on the LIST OF
July prox., but in regard 20 tobacco the
reform is to be applied Immediately,
and SO terrible. so radical Is II that IL Is
equivalent to the closing OF that mar
ket to us. We win lose a market that
consumes 100, 900, 900 TO ITO, 900, 900
cigars annually, with a value OF 50, OOO,.
900 TO So, 500, 600 and over 100, 600 bales,
with a value of 5000, 900 just exactly
half OF cur in this line.
And we will lose a great deal more,
because If certain grades of cigars
of special quslity and color partlcu.
larly adapted to that market are
not consumed there we will not be able
to supply other consu ners Of other mar
kets with the grades they require with.
out immense prejudice. The damage
that we shall suffer can no. be over est.
mated; that the cultivation of the rich
leaf will diminish to one-half: the
greater number OF our factories will
disappear, and those hat remain will
have to greatly reduce their operations;
thousands OF souls depending on IL for
livelihood in the factories will be left
in complete want, and prosperous and
flourishing industry will come TO ruin
and bankruptcy. IL is necessary to
avoid so much harm, and, warmed Of
such a calamity, we find no other way
but a commercial treaty with the
United States, accepting the reciprocity
that our neIghbors propose. There is
no tins to lose in making this treaty.
= y . Tho business crisis that threat
ems as Is terrible, imminent aud It's con-
sequences embrace very serious dan
gers"
The cigar manufacturers conclude by
indorning the action of the Havana
Chamber of Commerce, heretofore pub
lished, and asking Of the Government;
''First-The immediate %abrogation Of
the law of commercial relations Of 1852.
~'Second-The imposition of a pre-
cauti onary duty on Spanish products
which should be in relation to tho ne
cessities OF the treasury of this island,
so as not to render difficult the negotia-
tion OF commercial treaties with foreign
countries.
"Ihird-That without losing time
negotiations be- opened with the United
States for a commercial treaty on the
basis of free sugar and reductions on
duties OF tobacco within the limits al
ready prescribed.
'Fourth-That the chambers Of com
MERGE and important interpretations of
this island advise in their proposed new
tariff the articles on which the duties
should be abolished.
'Fifth-That negotiations be entered
into with some other countries SO as to
insure facilities for the export of Cuban
products.
"Sixth-That corresponding duties
are paid and free sale of tobacco be al
lowed in Spain"
The State of Idaho.
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