The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-07-15
SPAIN SHUTTING Us OUT.
AMERICAN FLOUR KEPT OUT OF
CUBA By HIGH DUTIES.

It Costs Us S11 40 Per Barrel TO Get
It Into the Cuban Market-Blsine
Protests Against Opening Our Doors
to Cuban Sugar Unless Concessions
are Secured.
WASHINGTON, July 1.-THE following
letter from Secretary Blaine was received
to-day by Senator Frye:
BAR HARBoR Ne, July IL 1890.
DEAR Mr.. FRYE have Just received Intelli-
gence from the highest commercial authority
10 Havana that American -four, under the new
duties imposed by Spain. cannot reach the
Cuban market under cost of S11 46 per barrel,
counting the shipping price in New York at
81 50 per barrel. Spain holds the market for
herself and is able to send European flour at a
price which totally excludes American -four
from the markets of Cuba and Porto
Rico. Other articles of American growth are
likewise taxed by Spain to the point of prohi-
bltlon. This one-sided commerce will seriously
lnJure the shipping routes which are still in
American hands Largely II not exclusively. 1t
would certainly be a very extraordinary policy
on the part OF our government Just at this time
to open our market, without charge or duty, to
the enormous crops OF sugar raised in the two
Spanish islands Cuba and Porto Rico furnish
the United states with nearly or quite one-halt
OF the sugar which we consume, and we are far
larger consumers than any other nation in the
world. To give free market to this immense
pIOuuCI ol Tue spanish dl lue
moment Spain is excluding the products of
America from her market would be a policy
unprecedented as well unwise. Our trade
with the American republics, as well
been for many years in a mort
unsatisfactory condition. The aggregate bal
ance of trade with all latin America is heavily
against us. single illustration will suffice.
Since we repealed the duty on coffee in 1872 we
have imported products of Brazil to the extent
of 1921, 10000 and have sold to her only $780,
$4,000 OF our own products. The difference
1864, b7l ,0O0-we have paid in gold or its equva-
lent and Brazil has expended a vast sum IN the
markets of Europe. You can readily see how
different the result would have been if in return
for free admission of Brazilian coffee in our
markets we had exacted free admission of GER
tain products of the United States in the Bra
lillian market. To repeat this error with sugar
Ito an am Junt three times as large as with coee)
VIII close all opportunity to establish reciprocity
or trade with Latin America. The charge
against the protective policy which has injured
1t most Is that its benefits go wholly to the
manut cturer and capitalists. and not at all to
the farmer. You and well know that this is
not true, but still it Is the most plausible, and
therefore most hurtful argument made by the
free trader. Here is an opportunity where the
farmer may be benefited. Primarily un-
tunity for the republican congress to
open the markets of 100000 of
people to the products of
American farms Shall we seize the oppor-
IuLlJJ VI Slldll We luIOW IL away l 90 not
doubt that IN many respects the tariff bill pend
ing in the Senate is just measure, and that
most OF its provisions are in accordance with
wise policy of protection
But there is not a section or line in the entire
bill that will open the market for another
buShel of wheat or another barrel of pork If
sugar Is now placed on the free list without ex-
acting important trade concessions in return
we sLall close the door for profitable reciprocity
against ourselves. | think you will find
some valuable hints on the subject in the Pres-
dents brief message of June 49, with as much
practical wisdom as was ever stated IN so short
a space.
Our foreign market for breadstuffs grows
narrower. Great Britain is exerting every nerve
to secure her bread supplies from India, and
the rapid expansion of the wheat area in Russia
gives us powerful competitor in the markets
of Europe. 1t becomes us therefore, to use
every opportunity for the extension of our
market on both of the American continents.
With nearly 500, 600, 900 dollars worth of sugar
seeking our market every year, we snail prove
ourselves most unskilled legislators if we do
not secure large field for the sale and con
sumption Of our breadstuffs and provisions.
The late conference of the American re-
pubics proved the existence of a common de-
sire for closer relations Our congress should
take up the work where the international con
ference left it. Our field of commercial de-
velopment and progress lies south of us, Very
sincerely yours, JAMES G BLAINE,
To Hon W. p Frye, United States Senate