New-York tribune., 1902-01-16
PLEAS FOR CUBA HEARD.
Continued from first page.

forded them by our present tariff. The beet
sugar interests on record, over their own
signatures, in a letter TO their bankers tnat
they could prosper under absolute free trade,
and IL is estimated by good authorities that IN
factories favorably situated they have been
making a profit of about two cents pound
with a lesser margin in less favored localities
which they now bring forward as an argument
why concessions should not be made IN the
tariff on Cuban products. which is somewhat
like arguing that the tariff should he high
enough TO make the growing of bananas under
glass profitable.
| am n Republican and a protectonist, but
there is reason in all things. and l believe that
there should be a power above unreasoning pro-
tectionists TO say what is reasonable The per
manency OF a protective tariff will largely de-
pend this. and l contend that IL is short
sighted on the part of our protected industries
not to recognize changed conditions. and that
unless they are recognized there Will come a
ground swell of pubic opinion which will go TO
extremes the other side and be disastrous
all of industries. This was the view or
William Mckinley, who could not be considered
an enemy of American industries. II is espe-
cally shortsighted on the part of our domestic
sugar growers not to be willing 10 make liberal
concessions at the present time in the tariff on
Cuban products.
There is an influential element in Cuba to-day
in favor OF annexation to the United States, and
If this Is strengthened by disastrous industrial
conditions in Cuba that day will be hastened
and with absolute free trade between Cuba and
the United States our beet sugar industries would
be in the position of that man whose last state
than the first" although it would
IL
of sugar in the United States and our fruit
growing. canning and preserving industries.
which would greatly develop and prosper with
cheap sugar.
MUTUAL CONCESSIONS WANTED.
Now, as to what concessions should be made
TO Cuba. 1 believe 1t would be to the interest
of the Cubans and American flour and provision
interests and American fruit canning and pre-
serving interests. and the interests of all Ameri-
can consumers Of sugar If what the Cubans ask
no Prautpd-namelV.
one-half the present duties on tobacco and
cigars. But if in your wisdom you think we
cannot go far that at this time, then the
very least concession which should be made
should be 30 per cent on all her products, and
with this. ii should be remembered 1t would still
leave her products subject TO a duty equal 10
the average the dutiable products received
by us from all other countries.
This would lower by one-half the high tariff
wall which we have erected against ward
And If she in return would establish tariff
averaging 80 per cent on her importatOns she
could reciprocay reduce that One-half on her
importations from the United States and this
would enable her merchants to buy all of their
supplies in the United States. three-ffths of
which they now buy in Europe. This would not
violate the most favored nation clause In
treaties with other countries because coun-
try could offer Cuba such inducements as we
would offer her by such arrangement. And
II would still give her sufficient revenue, be-
cause her present tariff. established by our War
Department for Cuba. only averages about %
per cent.
American products would still enter the Cuban
market at the present rate. but those of other
countries would have to pay the higher rates:
hence we would get the trade, and large and
increasing trade. because with increased pur-
chasing power the part of her people Cuba
would become one of our most important mar
kets.
FROM CUBA'S POINT OF VIEW.
Louis Place a merchant OF Havana. and head
of the Cuban delegation presented the case
from the Cuban point of view. At present. he
said Cuba buying large quantities of for
eign goods and If reciprocity was brought about
with the United States, Cuba would buy Ameri-
can cotton goods wire and many other articles
now bought abroad. He believed this market
in CuES would amount to S25OOOOooO within
two years.
Hugh Kelly of New-York who has large
sugar holdings in Cuba, said that as an Ameri-
can he urged that reciprocal concessions be
made He believed that IL there was no reel
procity Cuba would ask for annexation II this