New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-19

Florida Rice Is a staple article Of consumption
in Cuba, and it is now brought from the Southern
States in large quantity Cottonsced oil from
the same quarter Is also coming in as substitute
for the olive oil OF Spain. of which large guam
tity has been imported IN previous year. The
uniform effect OF the removal Of tariff restrictions
upon the importation Of all these foo products
from tho Southern and Western States must be
to chcapen prices to the consumer in the end.
In general manufactures there has also been
marked reduction of prices. except in cotton
and leather goods. the importation OF when
from the United States has only slightly increased
The manufactures of iron and wood head the
lists. Lumber from the Southern States, ma
chinery and builders hardware from the North
and great variety OF agricultural implements
and manufactures of iron and wood are now
coming into Cuba. American sewing-machines
are dlsplacng the English trade, and Spanish manu-
features of various kinds are disappearing from
the market. Prominent Cuban merchants, who
have supplied me with this information, describe
the change wrought by Reciprocity III the I'M
port trade as an economic rcNOlutlon lie
Americans they have asserted most cmphat-
ically, are rapidly obtaining complete control
OF the markets of the Spanish West Indies The
Cuban houses which have been directly con
nected with Barcelona and other Spanish cities
are losing their business, and are seeking Tor
American connections The Reciprocity Conven
ton, if it be allowed to stand. Will transfer
the import trade OF the islands, III the course
OF n few years, TO the United States.
This revolution Is manitcstly Ill the ihtercst
of the Cuban consumer, ana on .hls arvoumi
the Reciprocity policy meets with the approval
Of all classes. 1t involves d general reduction
of prices cheaper and letter food and increased
purchasing power for the staples Of the l'lahdS.
| asked Il wcll-lnfOrmcd merchant with WHon
| had long conversation tins morning, whether
there was any class in Cuba who disapproVed
of the Reciprocity Convention "Ony ne nl.T
chants who have been dealing exclusively with
SPAIN" was the answer. They find their trade
slipping away from them. and would IKE To
hps it T fSre 5Ge Es s% s'at S' wy
would be a revolution in the island if Spain
were TO attempt to ahrogate the treaty, Cn I'm!
eminent III upsctting the Reciprocity aIrahEe
ments can bring about relapse INTO 'ne olu
ruinous conditions. That would be cruel bio"
10 Cuba. -, =, - 1853,
II may he urged that in presenting these proofs
of the general favor with which the hccl
procty policy has been received III 'u"', ana
especially from the main body OF consumers,
am formulating an argument a9aLilSV r, h,tia
Whoever raises that objection has very H'tle
knowledge Of the conmrrciaI system ny y. ~" ,hn
these Spanish islands have been brouSht 70 llr
verge of ruin. The interests of spanish irrri
chants and shippers may have been prono't i,
nv that policy but certainly no industry III
either Cuba or Porto Rico has been protected
by the high revenue tariffs with these systematic
determinations in favor OF few ckpor,"ns " nr ne
MYSTERIOUS than the assumption that such sys-
fem of unrcciprocal protection, by which the
purchasing power of the staples OF the lS lanns
was diminished and the cost of living enormously
increased bv HIGH revenue taxation. reS"npi'I
in any respect the Protective system as ~ s mas
been known in the United states since lool.
Tho revcnue duty OF s., 60 -four. when not
bushcl of wheat raised or the island 'ccS
the whole story. Cuba was not protrcteu Wnri
tho value of ts sugar in cXchang" was stead
iIy deprecated in the only market where cane
smear could be sold. and when It was ar'i.
Gcally forced to buy its supplies IN spain At
ruirous rates ..; lioi,
The only genuine measure OF protection whicn
Cuba has known during the recent years VI
her commercial decadence and economic :'chhr
is tho Reciprocity policy. That is building mp
i,s agricultural Industries. promoting fcs."rn
tjon of its fortunes. chcapcning IN" COST VI
living and restoring it's prosperity. The anahdon-
mcnt Of that policy VIII 10 fraught with , run
for Cuba As the outspoken merchant d''iar'"
Ne rnorninr1 il will he "a cruel blow 10 an
island that cannot protect itself but needs the
succoring hand Of the great. generous K1pnX'Er