Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-12-25
RETALIATION ON SPAIN
The President May Close Our Ports to
SPANS Products.
What the Result Would He as to
SuGar-Thc Effect Already Ex-
pcri1Mced II Disastrous.

Interesting developments are expected at
an early day as a result of the strained
relations between the United States and
Spain over the tariff. Spain has already
placed the United States in the first col
umn" and Secretary Gresham has rejoined
by directing Minister Taylor at Madrid to
notify the Spanish government that if the
United States is not removed from the
first column" this; country will retaliate.
In official circles 1t is not believed that
Spain will yield to the protest of Secretary
Gresham. In that event, If the Secretary
carries out his threat Of retaliation, Presi-
dent Cleveland will issue proclamation
closing American ports to the products
of Spain. The first effect of this retalia-
ton would be to shut out the enormous
shipments of raw sugar which Cuba makes
to this country. In official circles it is
stated that Cuba furnishes seven-eiGhthS
of all the raw sugar used in American
refineries The other eighth comes from
Louisiana and Hawaii but 1t is said that
it would be impossible to make up TINS
seven-eighths now drawn from CUBA III
is asserted, therefore, by those in no way
identified with or partial to the sugar re-
fineres that the retaliation would cut them
eff from their supplies and close them up,
throwing 10000 employees out or work.
This statement was made by hlSh ON
cial who has had much to do with the
negotiation and who is very apprehensive
of its results. He added that the ultimate
effect of the warfare would be to advance
the price of sugar from 3 to 6 cents per
pound, this making the public bear the bur-
den.
In levying duties Spain arranges couh-
tries in two columns. The firts column in
cludes those who have not entered into
satisfactory treaty arrangements with
Spain. Until recently Brazil was the only
country on the globe which Spain had put
in this column. all other countries being
i'm the second column" which includes
those having satisfactory treaties. The
United States now joins Brazil in Spain s
first column" and thus stands apart from
all other countries in the commercial bene-
fits Spain grants.
Disastrous Effects Already.
The immediate effect of SPANS action
has already proved disastrous to the Amer
lean trade in flour, and this trade has
passed almost exclusively into the hands of
Canada Under the Old reciprocity ar
rangement with Spain American -four was
shipped to Cuba in great quantities. But
when the United States tariff raised the
duty on Cuban sugar. Spain responded
by raising the duty on American flour.
The first column duty on Hour IS S4.i1,
while the second column is 81. AS
Canada is in the second column, she en-
joys an advantage of 80 cents barrel on
flour. and this has proved ample to allow
Canada to wrest the Cuban flour trade
away from the United States.
1t is understood from authoritative
sources that a question has been raised as
to the right of the President to issue a
retaliatory proclamation against Spain
such as Secretary Gresham has threatened
This proclamation, if made, would be under
a law of 1850. which authorizes retaliation
against countries making Unjust dlscrini-
nations against the United States.> bu'
Spain claims she is making TO UNJUST dis-
examinations; she arranged her tariiI III
two columns, according to whether coun,
tries are friendly or unfriendiy to her, anu
leaves the countries to choose tneir oWn
Mace The recent American tarin putting
sugar ON the dutiable hist had the euect OF
placing this country i'll SPANS hrst cor
umn without any Intentional dlscrihiiha
t,on on her part. Under these circuih
stances. il is urged that Secretary Gresham
mas no authority to invoke the retana'ois
law of 1850. -.
The contending views are now pehle
urged between Minister Taylor ana n.ei
beers of the Spanish cabinet, anu deiiili''
results are expected this week.