The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-04-21
A NEW DEAL WITH SPAIN.
TEXT OF TEE PROPOSED REL
FROCIIY TREATYs

Antilles Sugar, Molasses, Coffee and
Hides to Come Into This Country
Free and the Duty on Tea to bo Re-
ducsd-In Rsturl We VIII Obtain
Exemption on Raw and Manufact-
ured Products and Lower Duties on
Cereals ald Flour.
MADRID, April 2O.-The reciprocity con.
vention between Spain and the United
States, as drafted by Premier Canovas del
Castillo, representing Spain. and Gen. J. W.
Foster representing the United States, ia
baSed, as far as the United States is con-
cerned, upon the third or reciprocity section
of the new American tariff law. In return
for the privilege of free entry into the
United States Of Antilles sugar, molasseS.
coffee and hides, and the reduction of the
duty on tea, America will obtain exemption
from duties on most OF her raw aud
manufactured products, and a reduction Of
the tariff on cereals aud -four. The nego-
tlations were protracted upon the question
OF the entire abolition OF the tariff on
cereals tiours and oils, including petroleum
and lard. The same question in regard to
bacco was also raised, but, not coming
within the scope OF tho third section Of the
American tariff law. was set aside.
THE PREMIER's LONG FIGHT.
Premier Canovas offered protracted re-
sstance to the abolition of the tariff on
-four. Barcelona and Santaader traders,
who are largely interested in -four ship
ments, presented an energetic protest, which
fortified the minister in his indisposiuOn TO
accece to the American propositions,
Eventually representations that American
reciprocity would be impossible without the
free admission of American cereals in-
duced Premier Canovas to assent to
such a reduction of the tariff as will place
American flour upon nearly an equal foot
ing with Spanish -four Santander mer-
chants declare that, taking into consdera-
tion the cost OF transportation Of CASTLE
grain, Of which the bulk goes to the Antilles,
American -four will crush out the Spanish
product in the Spanish West Indies.
CUBA's CONSUMPTION
Cuba now consumes 100000 barrels OF
-four yearly--chiefiy Spanish, which enters
free of duty, and pays for it $l2 per barrel.
Trade In American -four, burdened with an
extra duty Of 20 per cent. since 1889, has
been completely wiped out TO the advant,
age Of the Spanish product. Under the new
convention the entry Of American -four
practically free of duty will lower
the price to about 50 per barrel, and
will extinguish the importation OF Spanish
flour, while increasing the Cuban consump.
tion TO 1,000, 900 barrels yearly, all of which
will be Of American product. IL pressure
Of Spanish interests had not been counter
A~.od by tEs demands OF the Cuban com
mission Of notables, who were determined
10 obtain reciprocity with the United States,
Premier Canovas would have declined TO
make such concessions
DANGER OF WAR;
The prospect Of dangerous tension Of
the relations OF Spain with Cuba and Porto
Rico. resulting possibly in civil war. obliged
the government to sacrifice home industries
to colonial interests. Under this new con.
vention America will obtain d kind OF
zollvsreln with tho Spanish Antilles. Her
wheat, beans, flour, lard, petroleum, manu-
factured products and machinery will enter
practically free Of duty. Among other
Spanish exports olive oil will be replaced by
American lard, and beans, now exported to
Cuba in large quantities, will cease to be
sent. The advantages resulting to Cuba
will be great, but it is impossible to estimate
the injury to Spanish trade.