The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-12-28
OFF HER HIGH HORSE
Spain Gives Evidence Of Desiring to Avoid a
Tariff Row With the United
States.
LET CUBA MAKE HER OWN TERMS.
This May Prove the Entering Wedge That
Shall Split the Island From the
Old Country.

Washington, Dec. 27-The govern
mont OF Spain. Ia earnest desire 10
eWade "A threatened tariff war between
Cuba and the United States. has under
serious and favorable consideration the
cession % Cuba OF the privilege OF ar
ranging her own revenue budget, In
cludlng tariffs with the United States.
This Cuban budget is to be subject 10
the approval Of Spain. Negotiations
now progressing at Madrid are partly
on these lines. but the state department
authorities are proceeding nevertheless
with thclr rotaliatory plans. ms they do
not believe Spaln's concessions to cuba
can be carried ON and made beneficial
to the United States for some months TO
come The Significance of the matter
In it's commercial and political aspects
Is fully realized. ID is said Spain will
be careful not 90 relinqulsh her SOW
erelgnty over the Island, not 10 permit
this TO become the first step towards
Cuban independence. For that reason
the contemplated privilege will not in
clude full "home rule"
The general purpose Is to give Cuba
advisory powers. Her local officials will
take up the economic necessities of the
island, estimate needed revenue from
tariff duties and advise the Spanish
government of duties that should be
levied and Of other measures which
ought to be taken In order to secure the
best results for the island. While Spain
would thus retain complete sovereignty
over Cuba, II is suggested the home gov
enment would, as a rule, approve
Cuba's revenue budget with the United
States.
In the present contention beween
Spain and the United States, the Gu
bans are solicftious OF retaining their
American markets for sugar and II is
urged, for this reason, that local Off
cials would undoubtedly advise the
lowering OF tariff duties with the United
States. Spain's approval would follow.
almost certainly; her approval In real
ity being largely formality performed
IN desire 10 show her purpose of re-
talntng sovereignty over the island.
While IL Is recognized in official cir
cles here that the changes doubtless
would be beneficial TO the United States
II is feared that such extensive changes
In the relations between Spain and
Cuba cannot be made within reasOnab BILE
time, and that before the United States
can thus secures a reduction OF tariffs, our
trade with Cuba and Porto Rico will be
irreparably injured.
The total reduction In our exports
10 Cuba for the year since the lapse
OF the reciprocity agreement will
amount 10 not less than 80 per cent.
In 1856 our relations with Spain were
so strained that President Cleveland is
sued a proclamation reciting that
Spain had failed 10 carry out the first
article OF the commercial agreement
signed at Madrid Feb. 13. 1884. which
stipulated that differential flag duties
should be relieved at once from United
States products entering Cuba and
Porto Rico, Being satisfied that higher
and discriminating duties had been
imposed, he therefore revoked the sus-
pension of the discriminating customs
duties imposed In ports OF the United
States upon Cuban and Porto Rican
products coming under the Spanish
flag. The effect OF this action by the
president was almost instantaneous,
for in fourteen days thereafter he is
sued a proclamation stating that by an
agreement entered into that day, Oct.
27 1885, Spain had removed the source
of our complaint and he consequently
again restored her to treatment under
the favored nation clause of our treat
les.
The treasury officials. at the request
OF the state department, are engaged
in collecting statistics. showing the
volume of the trade that would be af-
fected by a repetition of this action Of
1856 by the president. II appears that
the Spanish colonies would have much
the worst OF II. The tables show that
during the fiscal year ended June 30.
last, Cuba alone exported to the United
States goods TO the aggregate value OF
$75, ,67S. .2Gl. and took from the United
States goods TO the aggregate value of
$40, ,Sb5. 237. Porto Rico sent us i'm the
same time goods valued at $3,l45,63i.
and received in return goods 10 the
amount of S2.7O5,645. With the direct
trade with Spain the case was re-
vcrsed for exports TO that country
were Sl3 l0i,075, as against imports
amounting 10 $4 255,S75.