New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-02-09

In this way the margin against American flour
was increased from 81 "A year by year until IL
is now "a 80. Even then the Spanish Govern
ment was net wholly satisfied with its bargain, for
last year 1t increased the duties foreign flour
until the tariff discrimination now amounts to
So 60 l-2 per barrel. The same methods Of pro-
cedure have been employed to protect all classes
of merchandise manufactured or produced in Spain.
The flags have been equslized, but the gradual
reduction of duties Spanish imports has placed
American imports in Cuba at greater disadvantage
than in 1882, before the commercial agreement
was made The United States Government as
Secretary Bayard frankly confessed in his instruc-
tons TO the American Minister at Madrid, ACTED
without adequate knowledge of the operation of
the Spanish tariff law of 1882. 1t fell into
trap.
Spain was playing double game While offer
Ing fictitious advantages which were to be heavily
counterbaanced by the reductions on Spanish
imports in the Of ten years, it was adopting
@ policy by which its commercial marine could
be saved from destruction and developed at the
expense of the only maritime nation in Christen-
dom that Systematically neglecting ana sac
Iihcng shipping interests. Spain, by its economic
and commercial policy, had driven every flag en-
cept its own and the American flag from Cuba.
1t had practically promoted the cultivation OF
beet sugar in Europe by placing the cane sugar
industry OF these islands at ruinous dis
advantage in cost of production and pur-
chasing power il exchange. English, French
and German shipping has disappeared from
Cuban ports. With discriminating duties in favor
Of Spanish products no other European nation
could prOhtaby compete in the import trade here,
and when there was no market for cane sugar
on the Continent there were no cargoes 10 take
back The only market for Cuban produce was
fba Init 10
apparently were Indifferent TO the development OF
their export and carrying trades. IL was an
easy thing 10 do-to dupe the great Yankee nation
into a compact by which Spanish ships could
carry sugar into New-York and be admitted on
tern OF equality in the carrying tade, WhLe
American merchandise was TO be disseminated
against In Cuba more and more heavily, not oy
fag duties, but by the operation Of the reduced
tariff ON imports received from the PehlhSuia.
Spain made a bargain by which It's shipping In
terests could be restored without loss to us
agricultural and manufacturing classes, ana aI
once increased its subsidies and bounties TO its
merchant marine The United States got the Deg
carly S. cents flag discrimination and placed It's
exporters at the mercy Of Spanish producers aAa
then remained al idle spectator while suDsl-
died foreign commerce was raiding LIS carrying
trade
An objection will be raised by American rIee-
Traders TO this argument They will assert that
Spain in protecting its agricultural ana manu-
featuring classes by high tariff ON CUBAN III
ports from every other country Is merely eAeroiS-
ing the same right which the United STATES ciaiS
as the highest National privilege-that OF de-
Teloping It's own industries. This CANNOT De oe-
MED. A tariff by which Spanish hour ana mai
features are admitted into Cuba without ree'iio-
ton, while American exports are heavily uaAeu'
discrimnates in favor of home industries, preciSeS
as the American tariff operates American pi'
dueers who are themselves protected by tarlh Id"
cannot reasonably complain If Spain at'e"p'" "
accomplish a similar purpose. What tne9 a-'
justified in critcisng is the laundering ana waste
full manner in which the advantages OF an i"i-
pregnable position have been flung away oy Aheif
can diplomacy. Spain may be protecting II" -"
terests by tariff legislation, but that lac' uo.o
not impose upon another high-tarln nalion 'i'
obligation to aid foreign at the expense OF NUM-
Industries The United States takes over %
per cent Of the exports of Cuba. IL is oi'e on|
market where that produce can be soid' SIM
1t buys heavily, it is in a position 10 uio'
terms by which il can sell heavily In fo'"i"
Instead of making good bargain 1t has oeeh oon
ksnt TO put up with a very bad one III pi%oe
Insisting upon having reciprocity with ou'" Va