The Washington times., 1901-11-26
FREER TRADE
WITH CUBA.
President FaVOrS Letting
Down Barriers.
WILL RECOMMEND LEGISLATION.
Mr.. Roosevelt Receives a Delega-
ton of Island Business Men Ear
ly Enactment to Provide for Per-
manent Philippine Government.

It is the opinion of several Of the lead
ing men in both Houses of Congress who
have been in consultation with the Pres
ident and the Secretary CT War during
the last week or two that the legisla-
tive programme for the early part of the
session will provide for the enactment of
the long-desired laws for the permanent
government of the Philippine Islands.
The President will recommend this in his
message. 1t is probable that the Phil
ippines Committee win take up the sub
ject when the Senate is organized and
ready for business.
The subject of our relations with Cuba
will also be strongly urged upon Congress
by the President in his recomme ndation
for reciprocal trade relations. in response
to the urgent demands of the Cuban peO-
pie. through their delegation. who talked
with the President and the Secretary of
War yesterday Senator Platt of Con-
necticut, the Chairman of the Cuban Com
nrittee. has been in Washington for some
time. consulting with the President and
the Secretary Of War. and he will meet
the Cuban representatives toiay-
Let Down thR
IT is understood that the Presidents
recommendation for legislation to let down
the tariff barriers and give Cuba mar
ket for her products in this country will
be quite sweeping. It is not likely that
Congress viii be 80 liberal. As a matter
Of fact. those who will control Cuban leg
islation in Congress are not inclined TO
urge the passage of any law until the
Cuban Government is established, when
reciprocity treaty can be negotiated. II
necessary. TO give Cuba the desired com
mercizI relief
President Roosevelt has, 1t is said,
decided not to Incorporate in his message
the recommendations OF the Cabinet Of
ficers that usually fern a part OF the doe
ument, but 20 have them published as
an appendix. This will materially short
en- the message proper, and as it is now
blocked cut il Will not make more than
twenty thousand words
Rcciprocity. the Trusts. and Cuba,
Reciprocity, the trusts. and Cuba are
the subjects that viii command the larg-
est share Of the Presidents attention
lie will urge upon Congress the wisdom
CT negotiating reciprocity treaties NM
q protection basis. and the publication Of
the d. -3- -.-.allel trusts l .r-
F aa E-.fs ,H
a eo-alues-
aar. ,5usI1cr1-
-f1r l-..--s - Lects-
.. 3 ,4is- interstate com
nerr- .4w, so that the Government VIII
have power 10 enforce it, which il ap-
parently does not have now. There viii
be no specific legislation recommended
for this purpose.
Cubans Ask Tariff Relief.
Cuban business interests of wide scope
were represented in the delegation which
called upon President Roosevelt yesterday
20 endorse the petition for reduction Of
certain points in the tariff on articles Of
Cuban production. But unless the incli-
nation of an apparent majority OF the Re
publican party to avoid any alteration Of
the existing schedule disappears there is
small likelihood that the economic and
industrial crisis said to exist in Cuba will
gain any relief in this direction.
The petition was a consensus of opinion
Of the Cuban business pubic of all politi-
cal creeds and was forwarded to the Pres
ident by General Wood In il are con-
tanned five specific points where relief is
desired TIE first is that molasses and
sugar up to No. 16 of the Dutch standard
be admitted free Of all duty. Secondly,
iC is asked that duty on Cuban tobacco
in wrappers Of 81 per pound and 20 cents
per pound in unstemmed filters be estab-
lished in lieu of the existing schedule. It
is also asked that $3.50 per pound be the
duty Cuban cigars and cigarettes,
while a 40 per cent maximum ad yalorem
duty is requested for alcoholic spirits and
rum, sweetmeats. and preserves Of Cuban
manufacture. The fifth and last point is
merely consequential, asking that no in
ternal revenue tax be imposed which
would annul the above concessions.
The delegation consisted of Francisco
Gemba. President Of the General Society
Ct Merchants and Business Men of the
Island Of Cuba. and Miguel Mendoza 81
mon DUmOis, Louis Franclle. Gustav Beck
Diouisio Nelasco Juan Pedro, and Al
fonso Peasant.
They were accompanied By State SEN
ator Frank d. Pavcy. the American coun-
sci of the General Society; Octayio
DAVIS. the secretary OF the delesa-
tlon and L. Y. de Abad, a member Of the
former Cuban delegation on economic ar
fairs which visited Washington last win