The Indianapolis journal., 1890-10-21
CUBANS WANT RECIPROCITY
They Discuss Our Tariff, aud Seem to
Grasp the American Idea of Protection.
Their Sugar Trade Doomed Unless II Finds an
Outlet in This Country-Ruling Concern
ing Withdrawals of Bonded Tobacco.
They Discuss Our Tariff and Score some Goo
Points In Favor of Reciprocity.


They Discuss Our Tariff and Score some Good
Points In Favor of Reciprocity.
wAsHINGTox. Oct. 20-The Department
of State has received copy of the minutes
of the debates which have recently taken
place in the Chamber of Commerce OF Ha-
vana with reference to the Mckinley bill
and the question of reciprocity. This state
meut, which was transmitted TO the Span
ish Minister of the Colonies, was accompa-
MED by a letter from Segundo Alvares,
president. and Saturnino Martinez, sccreta-
ry-general of the chamber, which shows
the existence Of strong sentiment favOra-
BILE to reciprocal relations with the United
States. The statement was sent to the
Minister In response to a message from him
reouesting suggestions from the chamber
as To any notifications desired IN the pro-
posed new Cuban tariff. The letter says
the chamber thought 1t proper not only to
consider the new Cuban tariff bill but cor
relative matters which, owing to their
natural and logical connection, directly
affect the financial condition of these prov
lnces. which 10 far from being prosperous,
and W hIch may become even worse than 1t
now is f. as is possible, the principle of re-
ciprocity is definitely adopted in the tariff
of the United States and IT the changes
made IN our tariffs are not such as TO cor
respond with that reform"
The writers further say that the new
Cuban tariff proposed by Spain must Do
preceded by the repeal OF the act OF 1852,
because that act ere ates insuperable OBJ
stacles to the development of the foreign
commerce OF Cuba, which IS Indispensable
to the announcement OF the cultivation
of it's products. The consumption of sugar
and tobacco produced IN the Antilles. they
say is SO limited in the Spanish peninsula
that Cuban producers are compelled to
II 1.<s
The law of 1882. which abolishes import
duties of goods coming from Spain, Is stated
to be the cause of incalculable injury, for
Cuba must not expect more favorable
treatment in foreign markets. for Its pro-
ductions than rs accorded IN lts ports to
foreign goods. 1t Is here, they say, that
the pernicious effects of the law have be-
come manifest. The conditions are such
that the trade between the mother
country and the colonies Is
I'VE have become convinced, the letter
continues, that our productions will decay
and die out if we are debarred from offering
our productions In those markets where
they really find consumers. on the same
terms with which similar goods are offered
by other countries"
The opinion of all Cubans is that this
law. which iDterferes with their trade,
should be repealed. With equal unanlmity.
the writers add, it is considered that the
greatest market for Cuban goods is the ma
tion whose ports lie at it's very door. The
Chamber of Commerce, they say, does not
hesitate to affirm that the United State are
to-day the regulators 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 an abundance of the necessaries of
life. They know that, by imposing heavy
duties upon the manufactured goods of
Europe, they favor the development of their
own industries, compel the well-tO-dO
classes to pay indirect taxes, and that
they have no cause to fear European
reprisals, because such reprisais would
have to apply to cereals, meat. petroleum,
ETC., which are the very articles that those
nations absolutely require. The United
States care but little tor reciprocity with
Europe, for they know that Europe has
need of them: and they will grant 1t or re-
fuse il, as NAV suit their Own interests.
They care a great deal. however, for reci-
procity with the nations of America. and
are seeking to establish 1t. They want
sugars of low grade for their retineries. also
coffees hides and timber. and they think
they can get them by reciprocity.
Attention Is then called to the fact that
Brazil Is preparing TO secure the market OF
the United states for it's sugar. and TO the
additional fact that the government Is en-
couraging sugar production by "A large loan
to planters. The manner in which Brazil
wrested from Cuba the palm Of being the
chief coffee producer is alluded to. and a
warning is sounded that the same thing
may happen with regard to sugar The
letter closes with the ex pre- ssion of the hope
that the gravity of these economical prob
lens In the Antilles will receive the atten.
tIon they deserve and with the apprehe n
sion. we'll founded. the writer's think, that
Cuban productions. especially sugar may
can market with that OF other sugar-pro-
ducinQ cOuntrles