New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-20
HOSTILE SPIRIT IN CUBA
TI-AIdERICAN INFLUENCES
AT WORK.
FOREIGN REPRESENTATIVE IN THE
CAMPAIGN AGAINST THIS COUNTRY
RECIPROCITY MAY BE
DEFEATED.
JRr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRruuxE,l

TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIHCNE"l
Washington, Nov. 19.-Minister Squiers ana
General Bliss are encountering unforeseen diiil-
eulties at the beginning of their task of nego-
Etiatinga reciprocity treaty with Cuba Never
has one country been so generous TO another as
the JTnfted States proposed to be to Cuba in the
draft OF a treaty which General Bliss carried
to Havana. In framing it Cuba and ner IN
dustries were thought of The primary OBJECT
in view was to furnish Cuba with market TOT
everything which she raises for export ms
VIZ ssto be done in spite of the facts that her
principal exports are sugar and tobacco that
sugar and tobacco are largely produced IN the
/ United States: that those interested in these
industries In this country have strongly opposed
reciprocity and that the United States Gov
ernment would surrender large amount of Gus
toms revenue In return, the United States
asked only for such concessions in Cuban tariff
rates as would give to American merchants that
predominance in the Cuban market to which
their geographical proximity entities them
Cuba's revenues were not to he reduced, but
the inevitable effect of the new tariff would be
10 increase them.
PRESIDENT PALMA EMBARRASSED,
II was naturally supposed that when this
plan was laid before President Palma's gov
ernment that it would meet with ready ac-
ceptanee but information which reaches the oil-
ciaIs in Washington leads to the fear that anti
American influences at work in Havana VIII De
able TO block the framing OF the treaty. 1t is
almost hcomprehensible to the administration
that any faction of intelligent men in Cuoa
should allow themselves TO be led into opposi-
ton to this treaty. and members OF PRESIDENT
RooseveIt's administration cannot understand
why the President should encounter opposition
in Havana after having taken issue with many
OF the leaders of his party the subject OF
generous treatment for Cuba. having appealed
to the country for support in the recent cam
paign and having won at the polls Yet II Is
undeniabie that such opposition EXISTS ana
that II Is powerful enough TO emharrass Presi-
dent Palma who is believed TO be personally
alive to the advantages of the proposed treaty
and to the great Importance to Cuba of It's
contamination.
FOREIGN AGENTS BUSY IN HAVANA
This conditions OF affairs in Havana has been
brought about. to soma extent at least by the
activity of the agents of European business
houses who see that II the treaty goes through
their sales in Cuba will be seriously affected
They have been zealously supported in their
snti-American campaign by the diplomatic and
consular t.prexeutatives OF the countries from
which tneT come and all the irf;iGeHref of Great
Rritafn Germany France and Spain in the
island has been arrayed against the Onlteu
States No opportunity has been lost OF sug-
sestiug to the Cubans. whose experience under
Snnin was not such as 10 encourage them TO
believe that any nation could BE- disinterested
that the United States had ultertor motives
and that the propositions for closer trade re-
lations and for the retention Of coalnG stations
were simply indications that the great Republic
OF the North was determined to keep the Cubans
in vassalage.
BRITISH MINISTER'S UNUSUAL ACTION.
It is pointed out that there is a strange sig
nifcance in the fact that, just on the eve OF
the opening of negotiations by General Bliss
ministers pIenipotentiary of European govern
urents have entered the field of controversial
pamphleteering as has been illustrated by the
publication in Havana of the British Minister
report in which he contends that the crisis
in Cuba has been exaggerated, and that the
distress through which the planters have passed
has really been of immense service to Cuba IN
teaching the planters economy. This is the
more significant for the reason that II IS un-
usual for British diplomats reports 10 ne mace
public through any other channel than tnt
Foreign Office in London. Minister GARDEN
action in giving out his report IN havana II
regarded as being indeCate and unfriendIy
IThe degree of success with which this anu
American campaign has been carried on Is
shown by the fact that in the reorganization OF
the Cuban House of Representatives the anu
Americans were able to elect the President,
taries