New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-02-27
PRUDENT, AT LEAST

The virtue OF prudence is certainly exemplfed
in high degree in the draft of the Cuban reel
procity bill which laid before the Republi-
can caucus of the House of Representatives on
Tuesday night There is nothing rash or sudden
or tumultuous about it, but it proposes to move
with the dignity of megatherium and with
the ordered calm of the procession of the enui-
noXes First, are to wait until "after the
establishment of an Independent government
in Cuba"-meantime doing our best to make
that achievement impossible by Withholding
from 1t the means of acquiring the revenues
which are the sinews Of civil government sc
wen as OF war. Next, we are to wait until this
independent" government signifies the rare
quality of its independence by enacting GER
tain laws at our dictation. Then we are 70
enter into negotiations with the Cuban govern
ment for trade concessions in our favor. asking
IT TO make exceptions to the most favored
nation" rule in our behalf and TO discriminate
against those with which its trade is rapidIv in
creaslng for the sake Of one with which its
trade Is decreasing. And then at last. when all
LheSe Things are securely effected we are 70
make TO Cuban trade a concession so small as
10 De OF doubtful value. All these precautions
and delays in advance of doing orr nlain and
pledged duty to Cuba! All this circumspection
and prudence as a preliminary to obeying the
dictates of morality and honor! In truth the
House Of Representatives. under its present
control is deliberate, If not deliberative
1t cannot be believed that such a programme
IS the best the United States Congress can do
Tor the honor Of this nation and for the ma
terlal welfare OF this country and Of Cuba. The
concession proposed in behalf of Cuban trade
is probably much too small to be effective and
the time at which it is proposed 70 grant if is
af Ipae
tress and disaster in Cuba and of heavy losses
10 United States commerce Anart from +baso
practical considerations. the manner I'm which
II is proposed 10 do the thing is so haItinp and
Grudging that it would deprive the act of all
grace, and would put the United States in the
intolerable position of doing reluctantly and i'm
perfectly that which it is bound to do. as the
President says, "by every consideration Of
honor and expediency" 1t is a truism that
protective tariff which does not protect. or
revenue tariff which does not provide a reve
nue. IS worse than none at all. So a concession
which Goes not concede, reciprocity scheme
which does not make reciprocity in trade nos
sibe, is delusion and a snare No paltering
over halfway measures will suffice TO meet the
present need. What is wanted is the prompt
enactment Of a reciprocity law which will give
Cuba's products profitable entrance TO United
States markets. and will give to the farmers
and manufacturers Of the United States the
supplying of the Cuban demand for their prod
ucts. The way TO reciprocate is to reciprocate.
II the House of Representatives in it's in
scrutable prudence can do no better than TO
pass such bill as that proposed it will do we'll
TO do so quickly. 1t should do so tomorrow, il
not to-day. under some such rule as that which
procured the ''railroading" of the war tar re
peal measure. Then the matter couId 90 10 Tho
Senate for such action as the latter body Is in