New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-21

! from the Spanish West Indies will inevitably be
| greatly increased. An exchange OF products, al
| ready heavily side. will lie made more IN
| equitable. Hence the practical necessity OF en-
| forcing the policy of recprocity-of requiring
| Spain TO take off the eXactions American pro-
| visions entering Cuba to reduce the duties on
| machinery and hardware and to place certain
| lines Of American dry-goods a level with lone
manufactures. That is to say, good deal must
be offered in exchange for the free market for
sugar, or else other sugar-producing countries
will be favored at the expense of Cuba and Puero
Rico. Reciprocity implies giving generously In
return well as taking greedily what is offered
Two questions now arise What the United
States do in order 10 enforce the requirement Of
reciprocity; and what will lie the consequences il
Spain obstinatey declines to make reasonable con-
cessions? In the first place, the state Depart
ment can let the Spanish Government know that
the present Administration has been armed with
power TO deal with reciprocity and is bent upon
exercising that power. 4 free market for sugar
has been granted only under the condition that
an equitable basis Of exchange shall be arranged
before July |, s92. If reciprocity he refused,
President Harrison will have no choice In the mat
fer lie will be under obligations imposed by
Congress TO close the free market. The State De
partment has strong vantage ground in the reci-
reference TO the Spanish West Indies it can i'm
prove It's position by negotiating treaties with
other sugar-prolucng countries with Brazil,
for example there ought 10 be very little diff
Guilty in concluding a convention by which the
free market for sugar will be made permanent
There is a very large sugar producing industry Ill
Pernambuco and Bahia which is capable of cnor-
nous development under the present system OF
Government bounties treaty wih BTazh Will
be forciblc reminder TO Spain that the sugar IN
dust res of Cuba will be placed at a disadvantage
if the duties are restored in july 1872, through
neglect 10 comply with the reciprocity require
mcnt. treaty with Mexico on the general lines
of the convention negotiated by General Grant
and Mr. Prescott will he another e1trcnchment
raised behind the American position There
are sugar industries in Mexico, Central America,
Peru and Venezuela which can profit by reel
procity engagements at the expense Of the Spanish
West Indies. Even then the resources Of the
state Department will rot be exhausted. Enro-
pcan sugar production has reached stage Of de-
velopmcnt where large surplus is available for
export after the requirements of home consump-
ton have been met There is an opportunity for
negotiations by which bcct-sugar can be made the
basis of exchange for hog products and tie cane
sugar business Of Cuba practically ruined. There
is no lack of power and resources at Washington
for enforcing reciprocity during the term OF the
present Adminis ration.
On the other hand what will be the conSe-
quences if Spain declines to grant suhstantial
concessions in return for free sugar? This island
to-day is clamoring for reciprocity. commission,
representing every agricultural and producing in
tercst. has been sent 10 Madrid 10 advocate TINS
policy There are no differences of opinion on
this subject here The Spanish landholderS ard
planters are among the most Outspoken ana de-
termincd friends of reciprocity. All classes favor
it, H. is recognized the only policy by when
universal bankruptcy and absolute ruin can IN
avcrtcd-thc securing Of permanent market Tor
sugar i'm the United States. Now LET tie Spanish
Government be obstinate in Withholding conccS-
sious respecting AMerican food products ana GER
tain classes Of manulaciurc. and momcntons re-
suits will inevitably follow. The risks of In
staat.ng and prccipit1tlng another civil war VIII
have 70 he faced if the interval Of eighteen months
allowed for the negotiation OF an equitable treaty
Of reciprocity passes without conciliotoIy and de-
cisiVe action i. y. r.