Omaha daily bee., 1899-12-07

lNSGLAR COMMERCIAL EELA ATfONS
The question of commercial relations
! between the United states and its in
/ sular posscssions-Por Rico and the
I Phillppines-is one of the most impor-
tant that congress will have to deter
mine. IT concerns large American in
tcrests that will insist upon receiving
consideration and there is involved in
1t the future welfare of these islands.
Trade relations with Cuba are also Il
matter of most vital interest to the
people Of that island as we'll as to
important industries in this country.
President Mckinley favors free trade
with Porto Rico He points out that
since the cession of that island it has
been denied the markets it formerly
enjoyed in Spain and in cuba and that
there have been no compensating bene
fits in the American market
Consequently the trade of Porto Rico
has very largely declined and doubtless
under existing conditions will continue
to decline. The president says in his
message; "The markets Of the United
States should be opened up to her
products. Our plain duty is to abolish
all customs tariffs between the United
States and Porto Rico and give her
products free access to our markets" As
to Cuba the president says that 80
long as we exercise control over the
island the products of Cuba should have
a market in the United States on as
good terms and with as favorable rates
of duty as are given to the West India
islands under treaties of reciprocity
which shall be made" Nothing is said
in the message in regard to commercial
relations with the Philippines and prob
ably there will be no material change
from present conditions in respect TO
those islands. The government has
agreed to observe there the "open door
policy, under which this country will
have no advantage in trade over other
countries. 1t would therefore seem safe
to assume that Philippine products will
be given no special favor in this mar
ket, at least until American capital shall
become largely invested there in pro
duction, possibility perhaps somewhat
remote.
American sugar, tobacco, rice and
fruit producers are especially Interested
III this question of insular commercial
relations and their position respecting
1t is shown in the resolutions of the
American Beet Sugar association ut its
meeting in this city Tuesday. These
declare that the present tariff duties
are essential not only to the increase of
the beet sugar industry, but to its very
existence, since it cannot compete with
Il product raised by coolie and de-
based labor if that product is admitted
free or even at a low rate of duty to
the American market This applies
equally to other articles raised in Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippines which
are also produced in this country. 1t is
expected that within a few years the
production of sugar in Cuba will reach
its former proportions and it will GER
tainly do so if favored by an American
tariff. The tobacco industry there would
under such circumstances also be greatly
increased. Free trade for Porto Rico
would stimulate the productions of that
island. Some. competition from the
Philippines with American products is
to be looked for in any event, but it will
not be serious so long as existing con-
ditions are maintained.
The problem presented Is perplexing |
If policy be adopted having In view
the industrial and commercial develop !
ment Of the islands for whose future
welfare we have assumed responsibility |
there is the danger of seriously iniur-
ing If not destroying important home in |
dustries. If we continue to protect |
these industries decadence rather than
recovery may be the experience of the |
islands that have come into our care |
perhaps resulting in more or less seri- |
Gus trouble for us. Unquestionably the |
first duty of the government is to safe !
guard the interests and promote the |
welfare of its own people. We cannot |
afford to sacrifice valuable American in |
terests in behalf of people who perhaps |
Will never contribute anything to ma
tional wealth and power even if they |
should not prove to be a burden. Con- |
gress will find this question of insular |
commercial relations one of the most !
difficult problems it will be called upon |