The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-19
THE BREACH IN THE WALL

The compulsion of distinctly defined
public sentiment reached the innermost
recesses Of the caucus of the house re-
publicans last night. The irreeencilable
element must be congratulated upon their
appreciation, if tardy and somewhat eX-
asperating, Of the fact that the prepon-
derance of public opinion favors, strongly,
fidelity to national pledges and national
duty with respect to Cuba
The agreement upon the ways and
means concession OF 20 per cent off regu-
lar duties to Cuba, Is not very liberal
determination, considering the fact that
the republican party is fully committed to
the policy of reciprocity, which it has de-
clared to be what it in truth is, the twin
of protection, and, as a party, Is response
BILE for the Plat amendment, which i'm
pliedly demands all really helpful action
in behalf of the material welfare of the
Cuban people, which our government can
reasonably bestow upon them. This con-
cession to Cuba is no concession without
a quid pro quo, for Cuba returns an
equivalent in kind. 1t is to be hoped that
the report of the ways and means will be
allowed proper discussion on the floor OF
the house, and that both senate and house
may finally agree upon more liberal
concession.
Strangely enough, the republican ma
jority in the house has, in this Cuban
matter, been stoutly opposing concessions
C,,h, ho hat he
Sugar Refining company would be the sole
beneficiary Of any concession in tariff, and
swearing by all the gods that the tariff
wall must have no breach made in it In
order to shield the nascent beet sugar
monopoly. AS matter of fact, the
American Sugar Refining company does
not regulate prices in the sugar market.
That is done In Hamburg, where the size
Of the surplus sugar product of Europe
governs the fixing of prices. Meantime,
there is no evidence that the American
Beet Sugar company Is preparing to go
out of business, although Mr. Oxnard de-
clared that any reduction whatever In
sugar duties would send them to the wall,
crippled and ruined. Three years ago he
affirmed that, even if foreign sugar was
admitted free, the beet sugar interests
would prosper. The two statements do
not agree very closely.
The limitation as to the duration of the
concession to Cuba is too close. Aside
from that it is affirmed by the Cuban
business men and planters and by experts
from this country who have carefully in
vest1gated the matter, that nothing less
than 90 per cent concession will be prof
liable to both Cuba and the United
States Such concession would surely con-
cede the entire trade of Cuba for our
country and yield some profit to Cuba,
while 40 per cent would ena BILE the Cubans
to live and produce. 1t was shown before
the house committee that the beet sugar
int enjoys protection to the extent
of "a per cent, and yet the beneiciaries OF
that enormous degree of protection de-
clared that 10 per cent reduction OF
duty would "send them to the wall" Ger
tainly, publicity as to these facts is neces-
sary. Reflection upon them is natural
and there is little doubt that those who
would stifie discussion of reciprocity anl
judicious tariff revision and shut the doc,
against investiga ton, are apt to get thei,
ringers pinched in the door hinges.