Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-12-26
TROUBLE WITH SPAIN.
Commercial Discrimination Against
the United States.
THE NATTER OF IMPORT DUTIES
The United States and Brazil Are
the Only Countries Which
SpSin Places in Her First Col
umn" and Are More Favored.
Effects OF Spanish Discrimina-
ton in Favor of Canada.

WASHINGTON, December 25.-Inter-
esting developments are expected at az
early day as result Of the strained re-
lstions between the United States and
Spain over the tariff. Spain has al
ready placed the United States in the
first column, and Secretary Gresham
has reioined by directing Minister Tay-
Tor at Msirid 70 notify the Spanish gov
eminent that II the United States is not
removed from the '6-st column" this
country will retaliate.
In official circles it is not believed
that Spain will yield 20 the protest OF
Secretary Gresham. In that event, II
the Secretary carries out his threat OF
retaliation, President Cleveland will
issue a proclamation closing American
ports 20 the products Of spain. The
hrst effect of this will be 10 shut out
the enormous shipments OF raw sugar
which Cuba makes 70 this country. To
Official circles 10 Is said that Cuba fur
niShss seven-eight OF all the raw sugar
used In American refuerieS. Tne other
eighth comes from Louisiana and
Hawaii, but it is said that 10 would be
impossible 80 make up this seven
eighths now drawn from Cuba. IL Is
asserted, therefore, by those 10 no way
Identified with or partial 20 the sugar
rehneries, that the retaliation would
run them Of from their supplies and
close them up, throwing 10000 EN-
ployss out OF work. The statement vas
made by q high official who has had
had much % do with the negotiation
sod who Is very apprehensive Of It's re-
suits. He added that the ultimate ei-
feet Of the warfare would De 20 advance
the price OF sugar from Sc. 20 &c. per
pound, thus making the public bear
the burden. In levying duties Spain
arranges countries into columns. The
hrst column includes those who have
DOT entered into satisfactory treaty ar
rangem6nts with Spain. Until recently
Brazil was the only country on the globe
which Spain had put in this column.
all other countries being 10 the second
column" which includes those having
satisfactory treaties. The United
states now joins Brazil in SPANS FIRST
'coI1mn," and thus stands apart from
alN other couatries in the commercial
benefits Spain grants
The immediate effect OF SPANS SC
tion has alresuy proved disastrous 70
the American trade 10 -four, aud this
trade has passed almost exclusively into
the hands OF Canada. Under the
old reciprocity Arrangement With Spain
American -four was shipped 10 Cubs in
great quantities. But when the United
States tariff raised The duty on Cuban
sugar, Spain responded by raising the
duty on American -four The FIRST
column" duty on -four is 81 IS, while
the second column Is 81 As Canada
is in the second column she enjoys al
advantage Of CSC a barrel on flour, and
this has proved simple % allow Canada
20 Wrest the Cuban four trade away
from the United States
II Is understood from authoritative
sources that a question mas been raised
as 70 the right OF the President 20 issue
q retaliation proclamation against
Spain, such as Secretary Gresham has
threatened. This proclamation, 10
made. would be under a law OF 1890
which authorizes retaliation against
countries making unjust discrimina-
lions against the United States Bat
Spain claims she IS making DO unjust
discrimination; she arrsOges her tariff
IN two columns, according 20 whether
countries are friendly or unfriead,y 10
her. and leaves the countries 20 choose
their own place. Tne recent American
tariff putting sugar on the dutab'e list.
had the effect OF placing this country
10 Spain's FIRST column. without any
intentional discrimination on her part.
Under these circumstances 60 Is urged
that Secretary Gresham has 10 authori-
" 20 invoke the retaliaiory law OF lS92.
The conteoding views are now being
urged between Minister TAYLOR aad
members % the Spanish cabinet, and
definite results are expected this week.
nnOunTH nVrHn