The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-11-16
Valuable Suggestions For Overcoming Effects
Of Spanish MlsruIe.
CUBES FINANCES AND INDUSTRIES.
Heads Spain Wins, Tails Cuba Loses, The Motto
Of Mother Country -CupIdib and Rapacly
Of Spanish Officials Beyond Conception,

Washington, -16--Robert p. Por-
ter. special commissioner for the United
States to Cuba and Porto Rico. pre-
sented his report to the president yes
terdsy. The report goes very fully into
the financial and economical conditions
of Cuba. supplementary reports are
yet to be made
Mr.. Porter testlhes TO the considera-
tion and courtesy shown TO him by the
Spaniards and Cubans alike in both civil
and military positions In furnishing him
information for the report.
Mr. Porter examined. both in the
United States and Cuba, about 800 wit
nesses, some of whose testimony Is
published IN the appendix 10 the re-
port. Mr. Porter has also submitted
for the approval Of the secretary OF ths
treasury a complete revision of the
tariff In the form OF Q new bill, which
will be examined by the experts of the
treasury department. and, IL approved,
will be promulgated by the president
and take effect at the port OF Cienfuegos
Dec /, that being, in all probability, the
first important port 10 come into the
possession OF the United States.
In the consideration OF the Cuban
uuestaon II became apparent that the
most pressing need OF the island was
a tariff that would bear lightest in the
tilrectlAns where the people could least
afford the burden OF taxation and heav-
fest on commodities which the weli-to-do
and those engaged in large enterprises
seduired. Commissioners Porter says:
sIhe Spanish tariff was made by Span
Iards for Spain. in the interests OF the
Spaniards. That seems TO Ice the only
principle in IL. In adopting for an eX-
igency measure the rate of duty which
Spain levied for her own commodities
abe United States acted wisely"
A table compiled by Mr. Porter shows
the general average OF reduction of du-
ties made by his proposed tariff or the
articles imported into Cuba is 63.1 per-
cent. The rate reductions vary from
bS.7 to 1873. The report says: These
rates were full of inequalities and were
not levied on any sound principle, but
on the heads Spain wins, tails Cuba
loses" idea, which prevails in the whole
financial fabric. IT was found that
the only way 10 equalize the duty. i'm
prove the administration and reduce the
rates of duty on all articles of general
consumption, was to practically frame
new tariff. Tt has not been thought
advisable to make radical changes in
the administrative branches, nor 10
change weights and measures into
United States equivalents, because the
people OF Cuba are used to the metric
system. United States currency how
ever. has been substituted for the Span
fish pesos. This will simplify the collec-
tion of duties. as customs dus.es at the
present time are collected in Cuban
ports in possession OF Spain in three
different classes of currency. gold. sill
yer and bank notes all (even the gold)
fluctuating in value. The tariff thus
proposed will average fully two-thirds
less than the rates now exacted by the
authorities in Cuban ports in possession
of Spain"
The report contains an analysis and
discussion of the Cuban budget in which
the effect of the new tariff on the rev.
enue OF the country, together with other
sources of revenue, is explained. The
report states that by reason of fraudu-
lent classification and smuggling most
of the revenue collected from the people
OF Cuba never found it's way into the
treasury OF tndt Iloi VI ,Rseln.
Mr.. Porter says:
"The cupidity and rapacity OF the
Spanish officials in Cuba is beyond con-
ception, and. IL we may Judge by the
results at Santiago, the United States
officials will be able to collect as much
revenue on tariff the duties Of which
are more than half or nearly two-thlrds
less than under the iniquitous law now
in force. The reduction TO a reasonable
rnte OF duty In certain schedules, such
as those relating to machinery railway
supplies. ETC.. Will increase the i'm
portatlon and the revenue will certainly
he greater than during the period when
the duties have been prohibitory. In
eli cases where there are home in
dustries In Cuba capable or supplying
q manufactured product made by home
labor, care has been exercised, either by
making free the raw material, or not
making a too radical reduction of duty.
not TO injure their prospects"
The report gives n table showing that
tsh average annual custom house re-
reipts in Cuba from 1886 10 1897, inclusive.
were S12.si5 S9i. In an analysis OF the
Cuban budget Mr.. Porter says: The
money collected from Cuba. whether II
was SIG 600 600 or less. has all gone, and
nothing Is likely 20 be found in the
treasury. but numerous evidences OF
Promises 20 pay records OF receipts
given by the government for goods not
Iaid foi. debts Of all kinds. Including
Tho salaries OF a large number OF the
minor officials. The first and most i'm
portant item Of expenditures is for SOW
erctgnty eXpenses, and exceeds $4,000
oO1.
"A study OF several items shows that
The principal expenses for Cubn are
those which have directly or indirectly
q do with the control Of the island BY
Spain. II Is impossible at this moment
10 make a satisfactory estimate OF this
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