New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-06

VALUE OF "A GREAT DIPLOMATIC TRl-
UMPH" MEASURED.

ONLY PART OF THE BENEFITS RECLAIMED WhiCh.
WE'RE ENJOYED UNDER THE RECIPROCITY
AGREEMENT NEGOTIATED by THE
HARRISON ADMINISTRATION.
tBY TELEGRAPH TO THE THIBUHE]
Washington March Am impression. which has
been indus:riously circulated ard jealousy cu'N-
waited by some OF the friends and newspaper or
gans OF the Administration. seems to prevail rather
extensively that In response to the vigorous rep
destinations ard skful diplomacy OF this ,Au-
mnistrat!on the producers. manufacturers anu
exporters of the United States now enjoy the same
commercial advantages and privileges, as resaruS
the markets Of Cuba and Porto Rico. that they III"
under the rec.I ro1!ty arrangement which Wa" ap-
rogated without notice to Spain on August %.
1884,. by the action OF a Democratic Congress ana
with the confent OF President Cleveland NO I'M
preston could be more false ard misleading pul
the Administration sSnade 10 effort to correct
1t and make the truth known. although the iaiiure
to do so may have and probably has already caused
great deal OF vexation and disappointment aS
well as pecunlary loss to citizens Of the United
States who are engaged in trade with the Spanish
West Indies as wei. 10 American producers ana
manufacturers. who had begun TO ma those mar
kets attractive and profitable before the abrosaton
OF the reciprocity agreement
OF course. the "cuckoos'' In Congress ana III
Democratic newspaper Offices have been too busy
ch.rp!ng over the diplomatic triumph Of the Ad-
mnistration in It's controversy with SPAN over
the Cuban duties to pay any attention TO the iacts
In the case-much Jess 10 exploit them Ana YET
1t Is Of prime Importance to great NUMBER VI
American citizens whose pecuniary interests are
involved to know just what the facts ere. so that
they may be able 10 adjust their business 10 the
new conditions II 1t shall be practicable TO do So
incidentally they may also be glad OF an oppor-
tun.iy TO gauge with accuracy this mighty o'pIo-
matte triumph" OF the Administration over SPAN
That country did not hesitate to act inc moment
+, became known that The Sugar Trust tariff o:
1894 violated and repealed the reciprocity asree
mcnt OF lsoi. and on August the day before the
new law became operatlve) royal decree vas
published. abrosatiug the decree OF July ~ lS''
procIamiug that agreement. on August y, the
day on which tho law went into effect the Hollow
Ing circular to collectors OF customs was issued;
lntendency-General OF the Treasury Havana.
August IS la9iThis intendency genera. Eo,npiSths
with telegraphlc orders from HIS EHceHency the
;ariT q the tinted States having gone into force
on this same date, the merchandise ana piodu,ts
co 1ha5 of Re "a s Of this STAND with the col
lection besides OF ali special impos,s God guard
YOU n,anv years MIGC Ell CABAZAS.
There was no waiting until tomorrow about that;
the action was az promp, as it was radical and
decisive. Under the reciprocity arrangement TIE
United States had enjoyed the beneht not only Oh
entire remission or large reduction OF nut'es on
a great number and variety Of articles. but also
a
charges whether National or provincial. ana the
reductions OF duty from the lowest rates I'M
posed Now the highest rates OF duty were 10 be
imposed together with all special imposts
The diplomatic triumph achieved by TINS Az
m!n!stration Is this. II has succeeded In obtaining
from S.ar concession In favor OF American
goods Of the difference between the rates or 1uty
Imposed under the general tariff and the specal
,arn ~ cuba and Porto Rico rcSpectF ny, OUT
THIS conversion does not apply To LANDING cnarSes
and other special impO5ts.' In other words the
United States ~ placed on the same roofing with
Canada and other competirg countries. or course
this is somethIng but tn concession IL by no
means 50 great a. the a administration would be
glad To have the country believe. and II is IN
significant indeed az compared with the advantages
enjoyed under the reciprocity drrdngeneh, OF
which the party IN power deprived citizens OF the
iu.tol states At m" very first opportunity. mint
u tn value ~ these advantages ~ furnished ny
M following table. W1irh gives the maximum ana
minimum rates duty Il number OF articles
an! classes 81 articles under the tariffs OF cuba
and Porto Rico respectively. and also the rebate
from the minimum rates which was enjoyed by the
producers. manufacturers and exporters Of the
United States under tn" reciprocity agreement
which was abrotnted 10y the party in power on
August - 1924. Tho rates are gwen In gold pesos
the peso being valued At Is. FL. sterling. Unless
otherwise stated the rat" in each case IL for 100
hAogiarl-. about ~ pounds.