New-York tribune., 1901-12-19
SELECTIONS FROM THE MAIL.
HOW CUBA WOULD HELP US.
MUTUAL CONCESSIONS WOULD LEAD MANY
MILLIONS INTO UNITED STATES
GOLFERS

To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: It has occurred TO me that In my previous
letter to you respecting the proposed reduction OF
duties on Cuban sugars and tobaccos ! dwelt too
exclusively upon the Cuban side Of the question, TO
the neglect of the reciprocal advantages 10 be en-
joyed by the United States through mutual con-
cessions-
The cuban delegation having the matter in
charge at Washington did not come in forma
pauperis to beg one sided favors of this govern
nlent. They came to present a purely business
proposition based all sound business PROPOSE
tions should be upon mutual benefits. Cuba asks.
it true than she could possibly give. as be-
tween herself and the United States, for she asks
for the means of continuing her commercial ex-
istence and 10 nation earth is in position TO
grant or refuse so much to this country. In this
sense she may be said TO be throwing q sprat to
catch relatively. whale Still it is a very large
sprat and well worth while to catch.
When in the full tide of prosperity shortly before
the late revolution. the total yearly value of Cubas
products was fully SlOO0c0O0o Under full develop
ment It should reach a much higher figure Having
no manufacturers and raising very little foodstufs
she is dependent upon exterior sources for almost
everything she eats. drinks and wears, as well as
for all machinery. coal furniture and, TO great
extent. building terias. and even sugar in its
refined and manufactured forms. Practically she
has. when prosperous. some s10000o,0o0 10 spend
yearly in importations of one kind or another
which she can most advantageously deal.
So far. with the exception Of standard foodstuns'
a they made in accordance with her tastes and
idyosyncrasies, and sold 10 her on long credits
and through easy banking processes. 1t would be
hard for American Inerchsnts and manufacturers
their merits; the best and surest opposition which
we can set up is TO underseu the Europeans. Low
prices are always a most powerful argument Inc
Cuban proposition is understood 10 be that in con-
sideration of certain concessions on our part IN re-
lation to sugar and tobacco, all American products
shall enter Cuba at half duties as compared with
the entire trade Of Cuba amounting. when pros
perty shall have resumed its full sway to nearly
Sl00,etD,000 80
II is important to remember that reciprocity with
Cuba would be experiment. once before;
during Mr. Harrison's administration. by the grand
craftsmanship Of Mr.. Blaine, reciprocity treaty
was passed between Spain and the United StiteS IN
regard 10 Cuba It was only partial ana was not
fully carried out by Spain, and was OF short dura-
ton having been abrogated in Mr.. Cleveland sec
ond administration But il lasted long enough 10
demonstrate even in its imperfect form the sound
ness Of the principle II reYoluonize CuDan traQe
The British Consul General at Havana, IN MS oflclSl
report for the year 1882, said that Britlsn trade
with Cuba has almost become a thing or the past:
States of America practically supplies all the
wants of the island and receives all Its produce
With this treaty a new tide OF prosperity hoWed
into Cuba with q corresponding benefit to the
United States It was cut short by the abrogaticn
OF the treaty and followed by q PERIOD OF de-
preston all the island, which rendered II llpe
for the revolution which shortly after DroKe out
rpSuuDtiOn Of these favorable relatlOnS NOuu
lead to a ike favorabl condition II Cubas pur-
chases are to be made mainly in this country Ihe
more her purchasing power is Increased the Detter
alitv has already been accepted by our government
there can be better opportunity 10 test II pIdc
caly than that offered by Cuba II Successlu
there il could be extended TO other Soutn <4IetiL
~ z. SHERMAN GOULD.