The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-05-17
RECIPROCITY WITH CUBA.

a." -- tN. ..H
Omaha Bee: The Cuban commits
sion was informed by President Nc
Kinley that when an independent gov
eminent should have been established
in Cuba the economic question will be
considered and steps taken to draw
up a commercial treaty as soon as
possible, and he advised the Cubans in
the meantime to study the situation
in this respect. This is a matter of
the most vital Importance to Cuba
and is the really potent influence sup
porting the Plat amendment.
1t is apparent that the administra-
ton is favorable to a liberal CONNER
cial policy toward the island if sat
isfactory political relations shall be
established. There is also a large pub
lie sentiment in favor of such a policy.
The Philadelphia Ledger says: "By
a liberal reciprocity arrangement with
Cuba We will greatly assist the coun-
try commercially, will contribute to
her tranquility by the prosperity we
assure her and at the same time give
a practical turn to party pledges,
which are worthless as long as they
remain unexecuted." That it is alb
solutely essential to the industrial de-
velopment and future prosperity of
Cuba that there shall be close COM
mercial relations between the island
and the United States is obvious. That
such relations would conduce to tran
guilty in the island and strengthen
the political bond between it and this
country is equally certain. But there
will be a strenuous opposition to such
a policy on the part of American in
terests hat would be unfavorably af-
fected by it.
This is already developing and
promises to become pronounced and
aggressive before the meeting of con-
gress, by which time, it is presumed,
an independent government will have
been established in Cuba and the ques-
ton of commercial relations will be
in order for consideration. The Ameri-
can sugar and tobacco interests are
preparing to resist with all the int1u-
ence they can command any conces-
sions to the sugar and tobacco inter-
ests of Cuba. We are in receipt Of
a pamphlet, the source of which is o
stated, but which is dated from the
national capital, that presents the ar
guments which will be urged against
reciprocity with Cuba or the giving
of any concessions to the sugar, to-
bacco and fruit interests of that is
land. This document declares that
such a policy would sacrifice the
American industries with which those
of Cuba compete and would be "the
most disgraceful betrayal OF the poll
cy Of protection that ever occurred in
economic history 1t asserts that
this country has done enough for
Cuba, "all that is either necessary to
restore prosperity, to the island or
fair to our own taxpayers and our
home industries; all that is decent and
honest coward u sugar producers in
the states and in our new and pacifed
colonial possessions, Hawai-. and Por-
to Rico"
This question of closer commercial
relations with Cuba, therefore, is like
ly to be found a somewhat disturbing
issue, for there are also powerful in
terests that will work in behalf of lib
eral commercial concessions, on the
ground that thereby will be built up a
market for American products the
gains from which will largely over
balance any loss sustained by our
sugar and tobacco interests from Gu
ban competition. AS now indicated
there will be a fierce struggle between
these opposing Industrial forces, the
result Of which cannot now be conf
IDENTIFY predicted.