The morning call., 1894-12-28
SOME CONCESSIONS TO CUBA.
May Arrange Her Own Budget
for Revenues.
SOVEREIGNTY UNRELlNoUIsHED.
While Our Trade Is Falling Off.
Steps Are Being Taken to
Retaliate.

ment Of Spain. in an earnest desire to
evade the threatened tariff war between
Cuba and the United States. has under
serious and favorable consideration the
cession to Cuba Of the privilege of arrang-
ing her own revenue budget, including tar
ifs with the United States. This Cuban
budget Is to be subject to the approval of
Spain. The negotiations now progressing
at Madrid are partly on these lines, but
the State Department authorities are pro-
ceeding with their retaliatory plans, as
they do not believe Spain's concessions to
Cuba can be carried on and made benef-
cial to US for some months to come. The
significance of the matter in its CONNER
cial and political aspects is fully realized.
1t is said Spain will be careful not to
relinquish her sovereignty over the island
nor TO permit this to become the first step
toward Cuban independence. For that
reason the contemplated privilege will not
include full "home rule"
The general purpose is to give Cuba ad-
visory powers.
Her local officials will take up the eco
n ionic necessities of the island. estimate the
needed revenue from tariff duties and adj
wise 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 oyer Cuba, it is suggested that
the home Government would, as a rule,
approve Cuba's revenue budget with the
United States. In the present contention
between Spain and the United States. the
Cubans are solictous of retaining their
American markets for sugar. and it is
urged for this reason the local officials
would undoubtedly advise a lowering of
tariff duties with the United States
SPANS approval would follow, almost
certainly; her approval in reality being
largely formality In desire to show her
purpose of retaining sovereignty over the
island.
While it is recognized in official circles
here that these changes would be bene-
fetal to the United States, it is feared such
extensive changes In the relations be ween
Spain and Cuba cannot be made wi hin
reasonable time. and that before the
United States can thus secure a reduction
of tariffs our trade with Cuba and Porto
Rico will be irreparably injured. The
great importing of the Atlantic
cities are clamoring at the doors of the
State Department and threaten TO appeal
to Congress tor some speedy action TO PRO-
tect their business. They represent that
at present the United States is losing a
trade of 100000 barrels of flour per an
mum, all our commerce In machinery and
formerly purchased by the Cubans exclu-
sively in the United States, all of the hard
ware and large proportion of the potato
trade, very important part of our ex-
ports to the West Indies.
The total reduction in our exports to
Cuba for the year since the lapse of the
reciprocity agreement will amount TO not
less than 30 per cent.
The tables prepared by the exporters
showing the extent of the dscrimin alton
against the United States products under
the minimum tariff recently imposed by
Spain have satisfied the State Department
that there is no opportunity for Americans
unless the tariffs are abated.
All the arguments of Spain In extenua-
ton Of her action in increasing the duties
have been based upon the contention that
it was an inevitable consequence of the re-
peal of the reciprocity agreement by our
tariff act, and that this was to exclude the
United States from the benefits of the
minimum tariff, no matter what the dis
position of the Sranisb Government may
have been; in fact. that it was the result
of our own act. But at the State Depart.
ment it is held the reciprocity agreement
has nothing to do with the case. and that
the President has no discretion under the
law, but must reimpose the discrimin ating
flag duties as soon as he is satisfied the
Spanish Government is discriminating
against our commerce.