The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-26
Our Trade with Ccba Given to CANA
dfans by the Cleveland Administra-
ton and Democratic Congress.
SPANS "FIRsT COLUMN"
UNITED STATES AND BRAZIL THE
ONLY COUNTRIES PLACED THERE.
Probable Eject Of n Retaliatory Proc
from the Armenian Inquiry.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 25.-Interesting de-
velopments are expected at an early day as
the result OF strained relations between the
United States and Spain over the tariff.
Spain has already placed the United States
in the first column" and Secretary Gresh-
am has rejoined by directing Minister Tay-
lor at Madrid to notify the Spanish govern-
ment that If the United States is not re-
moved from the first column" this country
will retaliate. In official circles IL is now be-
lieved that Spain Will not yield to the pro-
test of Secretary Gresham. In that event.
IL the Secretary carries out his threat OF re-
taliation, President Cleveland will issue .
proclamation closing American ports to the
products of Spain. The first effect or this
will be to shut out the enormous shipments
of raw sugar which Cuba makes to this
country. In official circles ii is said that
Cuba furnishes seven-eighths Of all the raw
sugar used in American refineries Tbs
other eighth. comes from Louisiana and Ha-
wall, but it is said that ii would be impos-
sible to make up this seven-eighths now
drawn from Cuoa- 1t is asserted, there
fore, by those in no way identified with or
partial to the sugar refineries that the re-
taliation would cut them off from their sup
plies and close them UP, throwing 10000 em-
ployes out of work. The statement was
made by a high official. who has had much
to do with the negotiations and who is very
apprehensiye of its results. He added that
the ultimate effect Of the warfare would be
to advance the price of sugar from to
cents per pound, thus making the public
bear the burden.
In levying duties Spain arranges countries
in two columns. The first column includes
those who have not entered into satisfac-
tory treaty arrangements with Spain. Until
recently Brazil was the only country
the globe which Spain had put in this col
umn, all the other countries being in the
second column which includes those hav-
ing satisfactory treaties. The United States
now joins Brazil in Spain's first column"
and thus stands apart from all other coun-
tries IN .ne commerce aa S IA, De1en.s en- SPAN
ton has already proved disastrous TO the
American trade In flour, and this trade has
passed almost exclusively into the hands
of Canada Under the old reciprocity ar
rangements with Spain American flour was
shipped to Cuba in great quantities. But
Wnen the Snited states tarin raised tne
duty on Cuban sugar. Spain responded by
raising the duty on American -four. The
first column" duty on -four is si.75, while
ada ada is Vh in the Second second column = she enjoys an
advantage OF rs cents a barrel on flour, and
this has proved ample to allow Canada to
wrest the Cuban flour trade away from the
1t is understood from authoritative sources
that question has been raised to the
right of the President 10 Issue a retaliatory
proclamation against Spain such as Secre-
tary Gresham has threatened. This procla-
nation, If made. would be under a law OF
1890, which authorizes retaliation against
countries making unjust discrimination
against the United States But Spain
claims she is making no unjust discrimiria-
ton; she arranges her tariff in two COL
umns according to whether countries are
friendly or unfriendly 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 putting this
country in Spain's first column, without
any intentional discrimination on her part.
Under these circumstances it is urged that
Secretary Gresham has no authority TO in
woke the retaliatory law of 1890 The con-
tending views are now being urged by Min
ister Taylor and members Of the Spanish
Cabinet and definite results are expected
this week.