St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-12-18
RETALIATION! !!
Trade Discrimination Against
the United States Has
Got TO Stop.
FORMAL NOTICE TO SPAIN
That the Act of 1890 Will Be
Enforced Against
Cuba.
IF LAWS BE NOT RELAXED.
Present Duties Against Amer
lean Flour Practically
ProhibitiVe.
ALL NATIONS ARE WARNED.
Germany and France Next
in Line for Treat
mGnt.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 17.-The action
Bf the state department indicated IN the
cablegram from Madrid in warning the
Spanish government Of its intention 10
resort to retaliation should Spain con-
hnue its present policy with respect to
American exports to Cuba, will doubt
less have the effect to bring at once 10 a
focus the long draWn-out negotiations
which have been in progress with re-
suits unsatisfactory TO the government.
None OF our foreign relations have Of
late given uS as much trouble as those
with Spain. For several years this gov
erument has been urging the claims of
American exports for the remission of
heavy fines and excessive taxes amOunt-
lng TO about five million dollars.
These taxes ami fines were i'm
posed by the Cuban customs ot-
tcers in direct violation of all
treaties and absolutely without any
other warrant chan existing necessity
fer funds. The Spanish government
practically admitted the justice Of our
claims but failed to make restitution.
Then there was the old Mora cIai m
against Spain-a veteran Of many years
ALREADY admitted by the Spanish gov
erament but impossible Of collection.
Efforts have been made to get the first
class Of claims before an arbitration,
but these efforts have so far failed be-
cause of the ihsistence OF the Spanish
government that the Mora claim already
decided in our favor, should be included
in matters submitted TO the tribunal.
And while these matters were anguish
ing under the delays peculiar to Spanish
diplomacy. there followed the last
action by the Spanish government
which promises to
PFecipitate Ii EaFifH War
unless Spain comes to terms. This was
the imposition Of the maximum tariff
Oh American exports to Cuba, probably
iu retaliation for the cancellation of the
reciprocity agreement entered into
under the terms Of the Mckinley act.
The Spanish government has TWO tariff
schedules-One the minimum tariff. per-
mitted to counties with which Spain is
upon amicabIe trade relations; the other
the maximum tariff, imposed upon coun-
tries which do nor yield to Spanish de-
mands in the matter Of duties. The
maximum tariff being imposed upon
American exports, mad the effect to al
most altogether cut them Otf-and
so exactly fulfilled its purpose. W had
supplied fOT years the Spanish West
Indies with flour, but the duty upon this
product was prOlibItoTy. To make the
Situation more un bearable the Canadians
were favored with the minimum tariff.
and in an incredibly short space of time
assumed The entire -four trade with
Cuba which had SO long been enjoyed by
our own millers. Having reasoned in
vain with the Spanish minister at Wash
ington, and through Minister Taylor
with the Spanish foreign office, Secre-
taTy Gresham. in casting about for
remedy, hit upon the
act Of Aug. 80, 1890.
This act, while primarily intended to
provide for tie inspection OF meats for
exp0ration and prevent the impOrta-
lion Of harmful articles OF food, also in
cIuded in its fifth section a grant of
power to the president probably un-
equaIed in extent by any legislation in
the history Of congress. Plainly stated,
It authorized an actual embargo to be
declared al tile discretion Of the presi-
dent.
The secretary Of state has refraned
from tie assertion OF the power cOns
ferred by this law as long as there was
reasonable expectation that the Spanish
government would yield to ordinary
methods Of diplomacy. He was induced
to do so from consideration Of the
great difficulties that the government
was having in meeting the demands
OF the Cuban sugar planters and mer-
chants who are represented by our con-
suiar agents in Cuba TO be in most de-
pIOrable financial straits; and also be-
cause of the difficulties that 1t has ex-
peTienced in TeOTganiZing the cabinet
as the result of the latest upheayal.
But our commerce is being meuaced in
q new quarter, namely, in Germany.
where the government has begun the
imposition Of a system of most calling
RESTRICTIONS upon American imports that
can scarcely be longer tolerated, and it
Is felt to be necessary to begin the as
seTtiOn of the reserve power of retalla-
ton lodging in the president. and of
course this necessitates the beginning
with Spain, the first offender.
Sixty-eight out Of 20 German doctors
censurpd the giving of liquors to chill
dren. American doctors warn against
alum baking powders as injurious, and
advise use of Dr. Prices cream bnkiag
powder.