Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-05-22

own future they took hold of the economic
movement and have made 1t the leading
part in their program Of relations with the
United States. The Spanish merchants on
their part have been agreeably surprised to
find that the Cuban leaders had any notion
Of trade and commerce. Thus better un-
derstandfng has been reached, and while
the Spaniard is not confident of the Cuban
capacity to maintain an independent gov
eminent, he is more tolerant and more will
ing to adapt himself to the experiment.
Both Cuban politicians and Spanish bust
ness men are working to lay broad foun-
dalton for the future commercial relations
OF the island with the states.
Movement of Reciprocity.
After mingling with the politicians and
the business men, 1 have been again i'm
pressed with the conviction that the depth
and force of this movement of reciprocity
are not fully appreciated in the United
States. Nor is it understood there how
much the distrust of the anti-reciprocity in
fluences and the fear that the American
Congress will be unwilling to grant COM
mercial concessions have embarrassed the
supporters of the Platt amendment in Sc
curing it's prompt acceptance. Its oppo-
merit, Ciu' t." ..iI.uCitS treaties with
France and the British West Indies. which
were pigeonholed by the Senate, as proof
Of what may be looked for when Cuba seeks
reciprocity.
1t must be stated also that they support
their positions by citations from American
newspapers and public men, which have
certain degree of influence. They argue
that Cuba may be drawn into an ambush
from which she will be unable to escape,
and after accepting the Platt amendment
in good faith, with the understanding that
1t will be followed by reciprocal commercial
concessions. she may find her hopes disap
pointed and the markets of the United
states for Cuban sugar, tobacco and fruits
dramatically closed. To tell them that
American public opinion will force these
concessions and will never permit the Is
land to be kept PROSTATE induStrially is
Wen enough in its way, but they retort that
this is only an, expression of individual be-
lief.
A reflex of this feeling is shown in the
tariff commission which is now revising
the schedules. The Spanish business men
and the Cuban political element are repre-
scented on this commission along with the
representatives of the American military
government. The commission works fairly
well as single body, and is dra ftirg WI at
promises to be very equitable tariff. But
some OF the most important factors in the
commerce of the island have not given it
their aid, because, as they assert, there is
no possibility of making a reciprocal tariff
when the assurance is lacking that reci-
procity will be granted.
While the commission has been embar-
raised on this account, it has also been
fretted by the predominant Spanish trait
VI liSdH III OTueT TO De free
to criticise Recently the produce exchange
was asked its opinion on some proposed
notifications in the schedules and in the
administrative regulations. The exchange
replied in effect that it was Indifferent be-
cause under any tariff no regard would be
paid to it's wishes This simply meant that
under any tariff members of the exchange
Will want to get the best of the govern
ment, and when they fail to do so they will
have the satisfaction of saying that they
are in no way responsible for the tariff of
which they complain. This is another il
lustration of the Latin tendency to sulk
when the Latin individual cannot have his
own way.
American Exporters SuIking.
Some American exporters are also sulking
because the tariff commission is not dis
posed to make tariff which will force the
inhabitants of Cuba to buy from them at
their own prices These Americans want
purely a jug-handle tariff for Cuba. They
have not come out very well in their effort
to dispiace the Spanish merchants. The
fact is that the Spanish commercial classes
have frozen out a good deal Of American
trade rivalry. They have done it by sheer
force of native ability and by their knoWl-
edge of the home market. They are now
inclined to speak rather contemptuously of
the Yankees, but it is the fault of the
Yankees themselves, who supposed that
smartness would be able to supersede the
ordinary rules of trade. Legitimate Ameri-
can business interests have not suffered
and are not complaining that the tariff
commission is disposed to discriminate
against them.
Getting away from the subject of trade.
there still is great amount of dialectics
in the constitutional convention. 1t has to
be spun out like a finely drawn thread. The
matter of naval stations affords an illimit-
able field. while there is also disposition to
weigh words in the balance just as if they
needed a certain equilibrium The Monroe
doctrine is still confusing the minds of some
of the Cuban political leaders, or, as would
be said in some parts of the states, these
leaders are obfusticated. / found the word
in one Of the newspapers, with extra
marks of emphasis around it. One prophet
fcresees war between Germany and the
United States in 1906, when Germany shall
have completed its navy and will be ready
to dispute the commerce Of the American
continent with the United States by means
OF Krupp cannon and Mausers. 1t fears
that Cuba would then become the footstool
on which both great powers would dispute
the supremacy, and If the United States
had coaling stations, this prophet argues
Germany would be impelied to attack those
ccaling stations and make Cuba a theater
of the war. He counsels against the coal
ing stations, but is willing to have the
island indorse the Monroe doctrine, SO that
if Germany, in it's forthcoming CONNER
cial struggle with the United States, should
want to COLOMBO Cuba, Cuba would say nay
to Germany. This is only one instance Of
'obfustcation," but the ma jorty of the
members of the convention are acting with
clearer heads.
In the meantime, American officials, who
are getting ready to leave, find proof that
their labors have not fallen on the unfruit-
full soil which they feared. Discharging
their duties sometimes against the senti-
ment Of the community, they met with OPP
position which they supposed was deep
seated, but which really was only on the
surface. The latest illustration Of this Is
in the demonstrations given Major Greble,
who has been in charge Of the department
of charities and hospitals. He has done a
really wonderful work for these institu-
lions, and now that he is going to West
Point, the Cubans showing real APP
probation of him. They are not migrate
full as they pretend to be; but they take
their own time and ways in showing their
gratitude This is what ajor Greble has
discovered. CHARLES NJ. PEPPER.
PROGRAM COMPLETE