Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-11-17
A REPORT ON CUBA.
Commissioner Porter Tells About
the Conditions on the Island.
REVISION OF The TARIFF WANTED,
Tho Present Tariff Made In the Intereetn
OF the ), anlard.-Nothing Likely tn BE
Found In this Treasury When the
SpAniards Leave.

Washington, Nov. 6.-Robert P
Porter, special commissioner for thu
United States to Cuba and Porto Rico
presented his report to the presiden
and secretary OF the treasury yester
day. The report submitted contain.
about &C., 900 words and goes very fully
into the financial and economical con
dition of Cuba, analyzing the budget
OF that island for "A 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
forma nucleus for report on the poo.
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 been
settled.
Mr. Porter examined both In the
United States and in Cuba some 500
witnesses. all Of whose testimony is
published in the appendix to the re-
port. He has also submitted for the
approval OF the secretary OF the treas.
ury q 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 II approved. will
be promulgated by the president and
take effect at the port Of Glen fuegos
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 It was inexplcable. In adopt
ing for an exgency 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 principals but on the
heads Spain wins and on the tails Cuba loses'
idea, which prevails in the whole fiscal fabric
1t 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 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 1t
was 49, 100000 or less, has all gone, and moth
ng is likely to be found in the treasury but nu-
nervous evidences OF promises to pay, records
II receipts given by the government for goods |
lot paid for, debts OF all kinds, including the
salaries Of large number Of minor officials
1t is impossible at this moment to make q
satisfactory estimate of this new budget nor
'an II very well be done until after the United
States forces are In full possession and able to
ecure complete da'a Us to the personal needs
II the government Of Cuba