The Birmingham age-herald., 1902-11-13
GEN. BLISS WILL
 BE SENT ID CUBA
Important Conference on Reci-
 prOcity Treaty Held
INVESTIGATION TO FOLLOW
On Account of His Familiarity With the Cuban Tariff General Bliss
 Will Make a Trip to Look
 Into Industrial Conditions.


 Washington, November 12.-An impor- tant conference bearing on the subject of the Cuban reciprocity treaty was held at the war department today, the partici- pants being Secretary Hay, Secretary Root and Gen. Tasker Bliss The latter was called into the conference at Secre- tary Hays suggestion, because of his ex- pert knowledge of the existing Cuban tar if Before the conference at the war department Secretary Hay had talked on this subject with Senator Cullom chairman of the senate committee on for eign relations, and also with Senor Que sada, the Cuban minister here. Senor Quesada was not able to submit to secre- tary Hay the draft of the reciprocity treaty which has been under considera- ton so long by the authorities at Havana, as the document has not left that place.
 So, officially, the United States govern ment continues in ignorance of the extent and character of the changes, if any, which President Palma may desire to make in the treaty
 In other than official sources, however, has developed pretty clearly the disposi- tion of the Cuban president in this mat ter. The cardinal objection of President Palma to the treaty as it stanads is the insufficient rebate of 20 per cent proposed to be allowed on Cuban imports into the United States and Secretary Hays pur- pose is to ascerain, if possible, how far he can yield in the matter and still be able to rely upon support of congress next session, when the treaty is submitted. So far his advices do not favor any increase of the rebates, and, indeed, he has been assured by some persons with whom he has talked that under no conditions would congress consent to any subsantial in- crease of this rebate.
 Won't Accept Smaller Increase.
 It is understood that the Cubans are entirely unwilling to accept a much smaller increase. fn the face of a great shortage in the European crop and 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 it is understood they are showing an indif- ference in the prosecution of the treaty negotiations, which is serving, in turn, to stimulate the efforts of our own ne- gotiators.
 President Palma makes the point that conditions have changed in Cuba, so that, whereas the 20 per cent rebate might have served when 1t was first proposed, ! ] as not to warrant the sacrifice of Cuban | revenues that would be involved in its acceptance.
 Secretary Hay has determined to clear
 up that point and after talking with Secretary Root today it was decided that General Bliss should be sent at once to l Cuba to make a personal investigation of the Industrial situation and the fiscal possibilities of the island. and so it is l improbable that, pending his return from his Cuban visit, the state department can advance the treaty negotiations in any way.
 A high official of the government who | is well informed regarding our relations with Cuba. in discussing the proposed treaty said:
 "The principal mission of General Bliss will be to clear up in the minds of the | Cubans some apprehensions which they l have regarding the effect of the conces- sion offered by the United States and the various concessions which the United States demands from Cuba. It seems ap- parent that the situation Is not under 1 stood in Cuba, and the negotiations halt 1 on that account.
 No More Concessions in View.
 .'There is no disposition to offer a l greater concession to Cuba than 20 per I cent which will include all products of the island while the concessions demand l ed vary from 10 to 70 per cent. This Is ex- plained by the fact that the concessions 1 must be considered not so much upon per l centages as upon existing tariffs. The l tariff of the United States on all arti- | cles produced in CuDa is so high that a | 20 per cent reduction will mean much to the island. This relates especially to su- l gar and tobacco. A single illustration Is given The present duty on sugar is about l 100 per cent; a reduction of 20 per cent ! will give a rebate to Cuba of S20 on every s1O0 worth of sugar sent to this country. l On the other hand, the duty imposed by | Cuba on cotton manufactured goods is | about B 1-3 per cent and the United States manufacturers shipping cotton 1 goods to Cuba under a like 20 per cent l rebate would secure an advantage of only about six and two-third dollars on each l s1O0 worth of goods. To equalize this diff | ference it was found necessary to fix the | rate of concession on cotton goods going from the United States into Cuba at SC
 per cent. It is thought here that the Gu | bans have not considered the matter from
 this point of view and that it will be nec-
 essary to inform them of the basis of the
 demands of the United States.
 Tt is possible that demands of this
 country may be modified slightly on ar
 investigation of trade conditions in Cuba
 as the first draft of the treaty was the | basis of agreement. It is not likelk, how
 ever, that any greater concession will | be offered Cuba, as it is held that the
 high rate of duty on sugar and tobacco
 will, with 20 per cent reduction. enable the Cubans to either undersell all other