The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-12-19
A Cnuse for the "Tip.v

WASHINGTON. d. C, Dec. 1.-THE
action of thes tate department, indicated
in the cabegram from Madrid in warning
the Spanish government of its intention to
resort 10 retaliation should Spain continue
its present policy with respect to Ameri-
can exports 10 Cuba, will doubtless have
the effect TO bring at once TO a focus the
long drawn out negotiations which have
been in prOgresss, with results very unsat-
isfactOry to our own government. None
Of our foreign relations have Of late given
US as much trouble as those with Spain.
For several years this government has
been urging the claims of American eX-
p0rters for restitution Of heavy fines and
excessive tariff taxes amounting to about
$5,O00,O0O. These taxes and fines were i'm
posed by the Cuban customs officers in di-
rect violation of all treaties and absolutely
without any other warrant than existing
necessity for funds.
The Spanish government practically ad-
mitted the justice of our claims. but failed
to make restitution. Then there was the
old Mora claim against Sp8in-a veteran
of many years-alreldy admitted by the
Spanish government. but impossible Of col
lection. Efforts have been made to get
the first class of claims before an arbitra-
ton but these efforts have so far failed be-
cause of the insistence Of the Spanish gov
ernment that the Mora clalm-already de-
cided in our favOr-shOuid be included IN
matters submitted to the tribunal. And
while these matters were hnguishng un-
der the delays peculiar to Spanish dipl0-
macy there followed the last action by
the Spanish government which promises to
precipltate a tariff war-unless Spain comes
10 terms. This was the imposition Of the
maximum tariff on American exports to
Cuba probably in retaliation for the can
collation. of the reciprocity agreement en-
tered into under the terms Of the McKln-
ley act. The Spanish government has two
tariff schedules-One the minimum tariff,
permitted TO countries with which Spain
is upon amlcable trade relations the other
the maximum tariff, imposed upon coun-
tries which do not yield to Spanish de-
m3nds IN the matter of dues. The maxi
mum tariff being imposed upon American
exports had the effect TO almost altogether
cut them 0ff-and so exactly fulfilled its
purpose. We had supplied for years the
Spanish West Indies with flour. but the
duty upon this product was prOhibitOry.
To make the situation more unbelrable the
Canadians were favored with the mini
mum tariff, and in an incredibly short
space of time assumed the entire flour
trade with Cuba, which had 50 long been
enjoyed by our own millers.
Having reasoned in vain with the Span
ish foreign Office, Secretary Gresham, in
casting about for a remedy. hit upon the
act Of Aug. 80, 1890 This act. while pri-
marily intended to provide for the inspec-
tiOn Of meats for export and prevent the
importation Of harmful articles OF food
a.sO included in its fifth section a grant of
power 10 the president probably unequa.ed
IN extent by any legislation In the history
Of congress. Plainly stated. it authorized
actual embargo TO be declared al the
discretion Of the president
The secretary Of state has refrained
from the assertion Of the power of reta-ia-
ton conferred by this iaw as long as there
was reasonable expectation that the Span
ish government would yie-d 10 ordinary
methods Of diplomacy. He was induced to
do so from consideration of the great diff
cu,ties that government was having in
meeting the demands of the Cuban sugar
painters and merchants who are represent
ed by our consular agents in Cuba to Be
in most deplorable financial straits. and
also because Of the difficulties that IL has
experienced in recognizing the cabinet as
the result Of the latest upheava.. But our
commerce is being menaced in a new quar-
ter. namely in Germany, where the govern
ment has begun the imposition of sys-
tenn OF most calling restrictions upon
American imports that can scarcely be
longer tolerated, and it is felt TO be neces-
sary to begin the assertion of the reserve
power Of reta .iation lodged in the president
and, Of course. this necessitates the be-
ginning with Spain, the first offender.