The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-12-29
LOSING VALUABLE TRADE OF spAI
Democratic Misrule Is Costing Us Hun.
dreds of Thousands of Dollars.


dreds or Thousands of Dollars
Washington, Dec 25.-Interesting de-
velopments are expected as a result
OF the strained relations between Spain
and the United States. Secretary
Gresham has directed Minister Taylor
Of Madrid to notify the Spanish gov
eminent that if the United States is
not removed from the first column of
the list of countries not having salts
factory treaties, this country will
retaliate Unless Spain Yields
President Cleveland probably will
issue proclamation closing
American ports to the products of
Spain. The first effect of this would be
to shut out raw sugar. 1t is asserted
by those in no way identified with or
partial to sugar refneries that this ac-
ton would cut them off from their sup
pies and close them up, throwing 20 900
employees out of work
This statement was made by a high
official who had much to do with the
negotiations and who is very appre-
henslVe of its results. He added that
the ultimate effect of the war would
De to advance the price of sugar from
three TO six per cent. per pound, thus
making the public bear the burden. In
leVylng the duties Spain arranges. the
countries in two columns. The first
column includes those who have not
entered into a satisfactory treaty ar
rahgement with Spain. Until recently
Brazil was the only country on the
glope which Spain had put in this col
unn all the other countries being in
the second column which includes
those having satisfactory treaties. The
United States now joins Brazil in the
first column and thus stands apart from
all other countries in the common hen
efits Spain grants.
The immediate effect of SPANS action
has already proved disastrous to the
trade in flour and this has passed al
most exclusively into the hands of Can
ada. Under the other reciprocity ar
rangement with Spain, American flour
was shipped to Cuba in great quaint
ties But when the United States tariff
raised the duty on Cuban sugar, Spain
responded by raising the duty on Amer
lean flour. The duty on flour is $4.75,
in the first column, while in the second
column it is "a. AS Canada is in the
second column she enjoys the advan-
tage of IS cents a barrel on flour and
this has proved ample to Canada to
wrest the Cuban flour trade away from
the United States.
1t is understood from an authorita-
tive source that the question has been
raised as to the right of the president
TO issue retaliatory proclamation
against Spain, such as Secretary Ores
ham has threatened. This proclama-
ton. if made, would be under the law
OF 1890 which authorizes retaliation
against countries making unjust dis
ordinations against the United States.
But Spain claims that she is making no
unjust determinations if she arranges
her tariff in two columns. according 70
whether the countries are friendly or
not to her, and leaves the countries TO
choose their own place. The recent
American tariff putting sugar on the
dutiable list had the effect of placing
this country in Spain's first column
without any intentional discrimination
on her part. Under these curcumstan
ces it is urged that Secretary Gresham
has no authority to invoke the retalia
tory law of 1890.