Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-12-02
REDUCTION OF DUTIES URGED
ECONOMIC LIFE OF ISLAND SAID TO
DEPEND UPON 1T.
1t Is Said In Havana That the United
States VIII Protect the Cuban
Tobacco Industry by ImpOs-
ing PrOhibitivc linz
port Duties.

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Dec 1-Robert
p. Porter. United States special commits
sioner to Cuba and Porto Rico. to study
the economic conditions in both islands, had
long interview to-day with General
Leonard Wood, who afterward gave him
offices at the palace.
This afternoon Il committee of the cham
ber of commerce waited upon Mr.. Porter
and presented d memorial upon Il problem
of paramount Importance, imperatively de-
manding the attention of the government.
According to the memorial, the financial
situation of the country and its very eco
nomic life depend upon a reduction OF du-
ties. Sugar production, for instance, has
suffered a severe blow during recent years,
falling from 100000 tons in 1894 to 400 eco
tons in 1891. Meanwhile, prices are lower
and the difficulty of transportation is
greater, while there is deficiency of appar-
atus and interest is all the time accumu
lating on debts.
The chamber recommends freedom from
all taxes for reasonable number OF
years the abolition of duties on mdchin-
cry and free admission to the markets
of the United States. Regarding tobacco.
the chamber desires that the importation
of the foreign leaf be absolutely prohb
tied, in order to avoid the manufacture of
the same, which is then sold abroad as
the product of the island, to the prejudice
sof the Cuban manufacture and agricul-
ture.
The chamber requests. too, an extension
of the privileges granted by Spain in the
Cuban mining industry for an additional
ten years. expiring in 1913, owing to the
fact that the warfare during the last three
years has seriously injured the mining in
dustry.
The chamber considers that many things
are greatly overcharged under the exist
ing tariff and others greatly benefited.
Among the former are petroleum and
other refined mineral oils and the memorial
asks a reduction to cents gallon. The
chamber also asks the entire suppression
of export duties. with a view to the de-
velopment of Cuban industries and an abo
lition of the duty on passengers arriving
in the island
The memorialists, pointing out their un-
derstanding that American currency is OBJ
igatory tender in all transactions that
take place in the territory under American
control, characterize this regulation as pre-
mature. because the political situation in
Cuba is not yet settled and there is a lack
of American currency to meet all transac-
tions. These objections are independent of
the fact that such regulation must de-
preciate the Spanish gold in circulation,
thus being prejudicial to the public wealth
and commercial interests. If, however, this
regulation is to be enforced the chamber
of commerce requests the United States
government to send enough silver frac-
tional currency to pay the army of occu-
patton, thus bringing small coins into cir
culation.
Mr.. Porter. on receiving the memorial.
told the committee of the chamber of COM
merce that he was glad to be put in pos
session of such a comprehensive report of
the industrial needs of the island. While
not prepared to enter into details. he as
sured them that a general recommendation
hsd n lra. m
kinley and Mr.. Gage. secretary of the
treasury. based upon his CMr. Porter'sJ
inquiries in four other provinces. along the
lines of the memorial just presented.
1t was gratifying. he said to be able to
add II that he was in accord With s the cham, am
already been done, which was due in no
small degree to the broad-minded policy of
General Wood. who had. Mr.. Porter assert
cial and military problems confronting Gu
ba and America. Every dollar of reve
nue. was now being honestly applied for
Cuba was no longer drained by European
power and. under intelligent civil govern
ment. like that given by General Wood, the
island was near at hand. Tie committee
retired much gratified with their recep-
tion at the hands of Mr.. Porter.
HAVANA. Dec. IA cable message re-
ceived here yesterday by the principal
tobacco and cigar exporting firm in Cuba,
announces. on the authority of Senior Louis
ban tobacco manufacturers at WASH
ington. that the United States government
will place a prohibitive import of 81 per
pound on leaf tobacco imported into the
island. and of $40. plus % per cent, on
cigars The export duties to remain
IS heretofore 500 per 100 kilos on leaf to-
bacco. and S1S5 per LOCO on cigars.
Although hopes had been entertained
that export duties would he abolished en-
tirely. the announcement that prohibitive
duties will he placed on tobacco imported
into the island has been received with
jubilaton by manufacturers and exporters.
as guaranteeing survival and develop
ment of the tobacco industry in Cuba,
which otherwise would have been threat
ened with extinction.