New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-10-21
CUBA FOB RECIPROCITY.
DECIDED VIEWS OF THE HAVANA CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE.
THE GREATEST MARKET FOR CUBAN GOODS THE
NATION WHOSE PORTS LIE AT CuBA's
DooRs-A LETTER TO THE SPANISH
MINISTER OF THE COLONIES


MINISTER OF THE COLONIES
Washington. Oct. 9o-Tne Department Of State has
received copy Of tho minutes Of the deostes which
have recently taken place In tho Chamber OF Com
merce Of Havana In reference to the Mckinley bill
and the question OF reciprocity This statement. which
wa transmitted TO tho Spanish Minister Of the Colo
mics, was accompanied BY . letter rom segunoo Al
wares, president, and 6aturnino Marines, seorefafy
general OF the Chamber which shows the existence OF
strong sentiment favorable to reciprocal relations
with the United States This statement wss sent to
the Minister IN response to Q message from him re-
guessing suggestions from the Chamber Is to any
notifications desired In the proposed new cuban
tariff The letter says tho Chamber thought IL proper
70 consider not only tho new Cuban Tsrn Dill. Dali
also correanvs matters which, owing TO their natural
and LOGICAL connection, directly AFFECT the financial
condition Of these provinces, which Is far from being
prosperous. and which may become even worse than
now is H. q is possible, the principle OF RECIPROCITY
definitely sdoptod the tarin Of the United States
and the changes made In tariffs are not such a.
to correspond with that REFORM
The writers further say that the now Cuban tarin
proposed BY Spain must DO preceded BY the repeal OF
the Of 1882 that act creates nsuperable
obstacles to the development Of tho foreign commerce
Of Cuba which indispensable 30 the encouragement
Of the cultivation Of its products The consumption
Of sugar and tobacco produced In the Antilles tey
say is limited In the Spanish Peninsula that CUBAN
producers arc compelled to seek othef markets for
their commodities The law Of 1882, which sbolishes
import duties goods coming from Spain Is stated
TO be the cause Of incalculable injury for Cuba must
not expect moro favorable treatment In foreign markets
for its productions than is accorded IN Its ports 70
foreign goods. 1t Is here, the letter says, that the
pernicous effects OF the law have become manifest
The conditions such that the trsde between the
mother country and the colonies Ii not sufficient for
their support ave have become convinced the
letter continues, that production will decay and
die II debarred from Offering our productions
In those markets where they would readily find con-
sumers on tho terms which similar goods
are offered by other countries The opinion OF all
Cubans that this law, which interfeTes Win ther
trade. should be repealed.
With equal unanimity the writer's add, 1t Is con-
sdered that the greatest market for Cuban goods is
the nation whose ports lie at It's very door The Chamber
OF Commerce, they say. does not hesitate to aIrm
that the United States is today the regulator OF the
economical market Just as England Is OF the money
market The lawmakers Of the United states they
further say know perfectly well that the people whom
they represent have abundance Of the necessaries
Of life They know that by imposing heavy duties
npon the manufactured good, Of Europe they favor the
development OF their Industries and compel the
welltodo classes 70 pay indirect taxes and that they
have no cause to fear European reprlSas. because
such reprsas would have to apply to cereals, meat
petroleum. etc. which the very articles that those
nations absolutely Inc 'lacS ' Ae'i0
for reciprocity with Europe, for knows that Europe
has need OF the United States and 1t Will grant
reciprocity on refuse It, suit Its own interests
81 cares great DEAL however, for reciprocity with the
nations OF America and is seeking to establish It,
Tie United States wants sugars Of low grade for us
reAnerics also coffee. hides and timber, and THINKS
II can get them By reciprocity.
Attention Is then called TO the fact that Brazu Is
preparing to the market OF the United STATES
for its sugar, and to the additional fact that the
Government Is encouraging sugar production BY
large loan 70 planters The manner in which Brazil
wrsted from Cuba the palm Of being the chief
coffee producer Is alluded TO- and warning Is sounded
that the same thing may happen In regard to sugar
The letter closes with the expression OF the nope
that the gravity OF these economical problems In
the Antilles will cause them to receive the attehuon
they deserve and with the apprehension well founded
the writers think that Cuban productfons especially
sugar may be unable to compete IN the Norm amer
! ican market with those OF other sugar producing
countries.