The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-11-18
A REPORT ON CUBA.
Commissioner Porter Tells About
the Conditions on the Island.
REVISION OF The TARIFF WANTED.
The Present Tariff Made Ia the interests
of the soaniards--Nothing Likely 20 Be
Found In the Treasury When the
Spaniards Leave.

Washington, Nov 6-Robert p.
Porter, special commissioner for the
United States to Cuba and Porto Rico,
presented his report to the president
and secretary of the treasury yester-
day. The report submitted contains
about go, 900 words and goes very fully
into the financial and economical con-
dition of Cuba, analysing the budget
of that island for IA years, showing
sources of income and the causes of
expenditure. There are some supple
mentary reports yet to be made.
There are also among the data and
testimony collected many valuable
statements relating to the financial,
industrial, commercial and social con-
dition of the island Of Cuba, which
form nucleus for a report on the pos
sibilities for American enterprise and
opportunities for American capital and
labor when the more pressing ques-
tions of the government and revenue
and taxation of the island have beer
settled.
Mr. Porter examined both in the
United States and in Cuba some 500
published in the appendix to the re-
port. He has also submitted for the
approval of the secretary of the treas
ury complete revision of the tariff in
the form of a new bill, which will be
examined by the experts of the treas
ury department, and IL approved will
be promulgated by the president and
take effect at the port of Cienfuegos
December l, that being, in all proba-
bility, the first important post to come
into the possession of the United States
Commissioner Porter says:
The Spanish tariff was made by Spaniards,
for Spain, in the interests OF the Spaniards
That seems to be the only principle in It, On
any other theory II was inexplicable In adopt
ing for an exigency measure the rate OF duty
which Spain levied for her own commodities,
the United States acted wisely. Those rates
were, however full OF inequalities and were
not levied on any sound principle, but on the
heads Spain wins and on the tails Cuba loses"
idea, which prevails I'm the whole fiscal fabric
IL was found that the only way to remedy the
inequalities, equalize the rates OF duty,
improve the administration and TO reduce the
rates OF duty on all articles Of general con-
sumption, was to practically frame a new
tariff.
In an interesting analysis OF the Gu
ban budget, showing how much reve-
nue. is required and how much may
reasonably be expected from the tariff
to be enforced, Mr.. Porter says:
The money collected from Cuba, whether It
was t26COO,OO or less, has all gone and moth
ing is likely TO bc found In the treasury but nu-
merous evidences OF promises to pay, records
OF receipts given by the government for goods
not paid for debts OF all kinds. including the
salaries OF a large number of minor officials
a. imposslDie aJ TINS moment TO make a
satisfactory estimate OF this new budget nor
can It very well be done until after the United
States forces are In full possession aud able to
secure complete data as TO the personal needs
Of the government OF Cuba