The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-12-26

Washington City. Dec. E.-Interestlng
developments are expectei as a result cr
the strained relations between the United
States and Spain over the eariff. Secre-
tary Gresham has directed Minister Tay-
lor. at Madrid. TO notify the Spanish gov
erament that If the United States is not
removed from the list OF countries not
having satisfactory treaties. this country
Will resaiiate. It Is hot believed that
Spain will yield TO the protes. of Ssere-
tary Gresham. In that event, President
Cleveland viii probably issue a procla-
nation closing American ports 10 the
products OF Spain The first effect Of this
VIII be 10 shut out the enormous ship
nients CT raw sugar which come 20 this
country and cause a sharp advance in
the .,rsce. beside closing rein sries and
throwing cut OF work many thousands.
In official circles ii is said Cuba fur
nishes seven eighths of all the cane sugar
used in the United States. Louisiana and
Hawaii supplying the rest. and II would
be impossible 10 make up this seven
eighths now drawn from Cuba. II is also
asserted, by those IN no way identified
with or partial to the sugar reiineries,
that the action would cut them off from
their supplies and close them zip. throw
ing coco employees out of work. This
statement was made by a high official
who had much TO do with the negotia-
tions. and who is very 'apprehensive Of
its results He added that the ultimate
effect of the war would be TO advance
the price OF sugar from to per cent.
per pound thus making the public bear
the burden. In levying duties Spain ar
f~;s in,
first column includes those who have not
entered into satisfactory treaty arrange
ments with Spain. until recently Brazil
was the only country on the globe which
Spain had put in this column. al other
countries being in the second column.
which includes those having satisfactory
treaties. The United States now joins
Braz:i in Spain's first column. and thus
stands apart from all other countries in
the common benefits Spain grants.
The immediate effect Of Spain's action
has already proved disastrous TO the
American trade in foar. and this trade
has passed almost exclusively into the
hands of Canada Un1er the old reci-
proclty arrangement with Spain. Anseri-
can -four was shipped to Cuba In great
quantities But when the United States
Spain responded by raising the duty on
American -four. The duty Is si.To in the
frs: column. while the second column
is 81 AS Canada is in the second ccl-
umn she enjoys m advantage of IS cents
a barrel on flour. ard this has proved
ample &c allow Canada To wrest the
Cuban flour trade away from the United
States.
II IL understood f<pm authoritative
sources that question has been raised
as 10 the right OF the president 10 issue
Il retaisat ,ry Irf clauatton tyasnst Spain,
such as Secretary Gresham has threat
ened This proclamation, If made. would
be under the law or Isao which authorizes
retaliation against countries making un-
just determinations against the United
states. But Spain claims she is making
no unjust Determinations II she arranges
her tariff In two columns, according to
,ghether countries are friendly or un-
friendly 10 her. and leaves the countries
to- choose thetr own place. The recent
American tariff putting sugar on Tire
dutiabie Est had the effect OF placing
this country In Spain first column, With
out any intentional discrimination on her
part Under this circumstance 1t Is urged
tina, Secretary Gresham has no authority
to invoke the retaliatory law of lS1.
The contentiing Views are now being
urged between the mia!ster and members
OF the Spanish cabinet. and definite re-
suits are expected this weax