The true northerner., 1900-04-04
(From the Northerner's correspondent

Washington, ID. u, April 3-Ihe re-
publicans are most anxious to settle the
question and grant Porto Rico relief from
the arduous conditions prevailing there.
Neither 10 per cent, nor yet 90 per cent
OF the Dingley rates will hurt the island
half so much as the uncertainty that
prevails there. The holders OF sugar,
molasses and tobacco, who have been
the loudest and most insistent in their
demand for free trade, have been refus-
ing to ship the products on the plea that
the markets of the United States are
shut against them by the high tariff, and
the statement that many millions OF
pounds OF sugar and tobacco ready for
shipment are stored in the warehouses
of Porto Rico awaiting the reduction or
entire removal of the tariff duties. Once
the matter is settled, no matter how,
these stores will be exported without
delay. AS long as they are held, the
wage earners will continue to suffer. A
good many senators and representatives
still cling to the idea that Spain furnished
market for all the coffee and most of
the other products of Porto Rico before
the island passed into the possession OF
the United States, and that, having been
deprived of that market to great ex-
tent, it becomes necessary for Porto
Rico to find market elsewhere for all
her coffee and most of her other products.
The first assumption is a wholly erron-
eous one, as the official records show.
Spain has never-at least since 1885
furnished market for as much as 30
per cent of Rorto Rico's exports. In 1894,
she bought % per cent of Porto Rico's
exports, the United States Ii per cent.
other countries the balance. In 1896 she
bought % per cent, the United States l3
per cent, others the balance. In 1899
Spain bought 10 per cent, the United
"a per cent, France 2l per cent, others
the balance. The market for over 10
per cent of Porto Ricos exports. there
fore, is absolutely unchanged by the war.
Both Senator Hanna and Representa-
tive Payne of New York have positively
denied the assertion made by the Star of
this city, alleging that the Porto Rican
tariff was adopted at the instance of the
trusts, which were said to have promised
an immense campaign fund in return.
Such denial was unnecessary. No one
in Washington believedit for an instant.
The Star has been fighting the Porto
Rican tariff with almost inconceivable
bitterness, and as its assertion was made
on the authority of an anonymous ''re-
publican" member of congress- Mr.. Han
ma and Mr. Payne might we'll have ignor-
ed it altogether. Their denial should
end the matter.
The month of February, 1900, has
made the most remarkable record of any
February in the history of foreign com
merce. The exports during the month
have averaged five million dollars for
every business day in the month, and the
total exports were Sll9, ,765, 762, or more
than % per cent greater than that of any
preceding February. Not only are the
exports larger than those any preceding
February, but the excess of exports over
imports is also larger than in any preced.
ing February, surprising those of 1898
by nearly % per cent and being more
earlier year.
Consul Dubois at st. Gall reports to
the state department as follows: "The
American watch case is having field
day in the land OF Watches So large
is the importation of these cases to
Switzerland that a general movement
among the Swiss watchmakers is now
taking place to prevent, or at least mod
ify, the importation if possible. a COM
mittee of watchmakers has been formed
to improve the present system of watch
making SO as to keep good name of the
Swiss watch intact in the foreign as well
as the home markets, where American
competition is being seriously felt. Prizes
Of considerable value are to be offered to
those who succeed in making any i'm
provements which may be of advantage
to the export trade. AS matchmaking is
the industry in which the Swiss have
made a great reputation in all countries,
it is natural that they should be startled
by successful competition from America"