The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-20
Reduction of Duty on Articles from
the United States Greater Than Has
Been Heretofore Stated.
FROM 90 TO 40 PER CENT. CUE
MUST BE RATIFIED BEFORE THE
LAST DAY OF JANUARY.
Senators to Consider the Treaty After
Holiday Recess-British View of
Cuba's development.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 19.-The friends of
the reciprocity treaty recently negotiated
between the United States and Cuba have
been assured by members of the Senate
committee on foreign relations that the
treaty will be taken UP by that committee
as soon as practicable after the Christmas
holidays. There were several conferences
on the subject at the Capitol to-day. which
resulted in this understanding. The terms
of the treaty require that it shall be ratified
before the S1st of January, and its sup
porters appreciate the necessity for ex-
petition in getting it out of the committee
in order to avoid the necessity of an exten-
sion of time.
The treaty makes more liberal provision
for the importation of American articles
into the republic of Cuba than has been
stated heretofore, there being provision for
reductions in some cases of much 40
per cent, in others of 80 per cent. and in
still others of % per cent. On all Ameri-
can-grown or American-made articles, ex-
cept tobacco imported into Cuba and not
specified in the 25. 30 and 40 per cent
classes. there is to be uniform tariff re-
duction of 20 per cent. In return the
United States agrees to a uniform reduc-
ton of % per cent. without exception on
all importations from Cuba. The new island
republic does not agree to any reduction
on tobacco grown in the United States or
In the territory OF any or its possessions
and imported into Cuba.
The products of the United States which
are to be admitted into Cuba at a reduc-
ton of % per cent. from the rates OF the
existing Cuban tariff include pottery, salt
fish, copper-made machinery, cast and
wrought iron and steel and articles manu-
fn0 rod fro fharta r1oC and a
cotton goods, ships and boats. whisky and
brandy.
The 30 per cent reduction includes cut
lery, shoes, platedware, drawings, photo
graphs, engravings, etc., materials used in
making labels and BANDS for tobacco, COM
mon soaps. preserved vegetables, butter,
articles made of hemp and kindred fibers,
musical instruments and writings and
printing papers.
The list of all importations into Cuba on
which a 40 per cent. reduction is made in
cludeS watches, umbrellas, KNIT c0tt0nS,
preserved fruits. perfumery and wooden
There is a specific declaration to the eff
feet that the rates fixed for each party to
the convention as against all other coun-
tries There also is a provision against
in the country of their origin. In case
either country changes its tariff rates so
as TO deprive the other of advantages
granted the other country is to have the
privilege of abrogating the treaty. No
specific provision is made for subsequent
reduction of the Cuba duty so as to let
American goods in at lower rates by the
regular methods of legislation rather than
by treaty, but there is a clause under which
if this reduction is made the Cuban govern
ment may reopen negotiations to secure a
modification of the treaty. 1t provides for
such change only in case the Cuban tar
in should be so reduced as to make the re-
duction unreasonable from the Cuban point
of view. The treaty Is to go into effect
ten days after its ratification by the au-
thorities of both countries.