Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-13
TREATY NOT SATISFACTORY
oubans Want Bigger Rebate Than America
Has Proposed.
BLISS SENT TO CLEAR DIFFICULTIES
Islanders Believe They Can Get on
without Reciprocity ~ Necessary
and SO show No Disposition
to Hasten Negotiations.

WASHINGTON. Nov. Ian important
conference bearing on the subject OF the
Cuban reciprocity treaty was held at the
War department today. the participants
being Secretary Hay. Secretary Root and
General Tasker Bliss. The latter was
called into the conference at Secretary
Hays suggestion because Of his expert
knowledge Of the existing Cuban tariff.
Before the conference at the War de-
partment Secretary Hay had talked on
this subject with Senator Cullom, chairman
OF the senate committee on foreign rels-
tions, and also with Senior Quesads. the
Cuban minister here. Senator Quesada
was not able to submit to Secretary Hay
the draft Of the reciprocity treaty which
had been under consideration 30 long by
the authorities at Havana, as the document
has not left that place.
ofhcially, the United States government
continues ignorant OF the extent and
nature Of the changes. II any. which Presi-
dent Palma may desire to make in the
treaty.
Unomcial Circles Know Most.
In other than oncial circles. however.
President Palma's attitude is pretty clearly
understood. The cardinal objection of Pres
ident Palma TO the treaty as 1t stands is the
insufficient rebate Of 20 per cent proposed
to be allowed on Cuban imports into the
United States and Secretary Hays purpose
is TO ascertain. II possible, how far he
can yield in that matter and still be able
to rely upon the support Of congress next
session, when the treaty is sbmitted. So
far, his advices do not favor any increase
Of the rebate and, indeed, he has been as
sured by some persons with whom he has
talked that under no conditions would
congress submit to any substantial increase
OF this rebate.
It is understood that thu Cubans, too, are
entirely unwilling to ACCEPT sEy small in
crease. In the face Of a great shortage In
the European crop and a rapidly rising
market they have acquired confidence in
their ability to get along for an indefinite
period OF time without reciprocity with the
United States, and so. it is understood, they
are showing an Indifference in the prosecu-
zion Of the treaty negotiations which is
serving in turn to stimulate the efforts OF
our own negotiators.
President Palma makes the point that
conditions have changed in Cuba so that,
whereas the 20 per cent rebate might have
served when it was first proposed. it
would at present AFFORD - little relief as
not to warrant the sacrifice Of Cuban reve-
nues that would be involved in its accept
ance.
Secretary Hay has determined to clear up
that point, and TO thai end, after talking
With Secretary Root today, 1t was decided
that General Bliss should be sent at once
to Cuba TO make a personal investigation
Of the industrial situation and the fiscal
possibilities of the island. So It is prob
able that pending his return from his
Cuban visit the State department cannot
advance the treaty negotiations in any way.
Explains Bliss Mission.
we'll informed regarding relations with
Cuba, in discussing the proposed treaty
today, said:
The mission OF General Bliss will be TO
clear UP some apprehensions which the
Cubans have regarding the effect Of the
concession offered by the United States and
the various concessions which the United
States demands from Cuba. II seems ap-
parent that the situation Is not understood
in Cuba and the negotiations halt on that
account.
There Is no disposition to offer a greater
concession than 20 per cent. which will in
clude ~ products of the islands, while the
concessions demanded vary from 10 10 20
per cent. This is explained by the fact
that the concessions must be considered not
so 1iuch upon percentages as upon existing
tariffs. The tariff OF the United States on
all articles produced in Cuba is so high
that a 20 per cent reduction will mean
much to the island. This relates especially
to sugar and tobacco. A single illustration
is given: The present duty on sugar is
about 100 Per cent; a reduction OF 20 per
cent will give a rebate to Cubs of $40 on
every 500 worth Of sugar sent TO this coun-
try. On the other hand, TIE duty imposed
by Cub on cotton manufactured goods Is
about 80 Ia per cent, and the United states
manufacturer shipping cotton to Cuba under
a like 20 per cent rebate would secufs an
advantage Of Oily about Sc % on each 800
worth OF goods, 1t is thought here that the
cubans have not considered the matter from
this point OF view.
1t is possible that the demands Of this
country may be modified slightly on an in
vestigation OF trade conditions in Cuba. 1t
is not likely, however, that any greater con-
cession will be granted, as II is held that
the high rate Of duty on sugar and tobacco
will, with 20 per cent reduction, enable the
Cubans to either underseII all other for
eigners or secure greater profits on their
products than people Of other nations.
The reciprocity treaty is likely to be a
separate document from any general treaty
provided for under the Platt amendment.
II makes no difference whether the treaty
is negotiated with Cuba save on the sub
jeci OF the Isle OF Pines. The Plat amend
ment being a part OF our law and a part Of
the Cuban constitution IL is held that Il
operates as a binding proposition, even II
the provisions Of the amendment are not
embodied in a duty. The United States will
secure the eoaling stations. and Cuba is
bound 10 carry out the provisions OF her
own constitution. That the embodiment of
the terms Of the Plat amendment in a
treaty is desirable is not denied.