New-York tribune., 1902-02-17
NOT CHARITY-BUSINESS
THE Ex-PRESIDENT OF THE CONNECTICUT
TOBACCO GROWERS ASSOCIATION SAYS
CONCESSIONS TO CUBA MEAN MONEY
PROFITS TO THIS COUNTRY.

CONCESSIONS TO CUBA MEAN MONEY
PROFITS TO THIS COUNTRY.
To the Editor Of The Tribune
Sir: am heartily tired Of this charity talk about
reciprocity with Cuba If all the concessions
were TO be made by the United States TO Cuba
Nothing seems to be heard talked OF but con
cesstons' to Cuban sugar and tobacco interests
and nearly all arguments thereon seem based on
the charity idea that should help poor people
now in distress because we. the United States
were unwngly instrum aatal in bringing about
this unfortunate condition: and this too in the
tace OF the well known fact that the Cubans are
ready, willingness, anxioas-to give the United
states preferential on our exports TO the
island OF 80 per cent over sry foreign nation or
indeed, any amount we say that will allow of
enough revenue to support their government when
formed. The Cubans are entirely willing that the
United States should monopolize their entire mar
ket for all and everything they have to purchase.
and only ask in return a concession on their two
chief products, sugar and tobacco, Of 50 per cent
or one-haif the present rates OF duty here on the
same-a rate they know and know is not in
excess Of the amount required to make the people
trere prosperous, happy and content and a rate
too, that would not seriously injure any interest
in the United States not even the beet sugar in
oustry, as we would still have to purchase a mill
ion tons of European beet sugar in addition to
all our own and Cuba's product. It is well known
that the bounty-fed beet sugar of F,urope now
makes the prices Of sugar for the world, and so
long as we have to purchase a million tons a year
the price here cannot be changed the fraction Of
cent by the substitution of a few hundred tons of
Cuban cane for European beet sugar If imports
OF the latter at one-half the present duty did
lower the price. and so :njure the beet sugar in
terests then not only would the price lists Ham
bGrg have TO be revised. but the Cuban interests
would be no better off than now; but, on the other
hand II the marketing Of Cuban sugar here at a
small profit did not (as It could not lower the
worlds prices for sugar then, Of course, all this
cry OF ruin TO the beet sugar interests is the
merest humbug and sham. not worthy serious
consideration The sole fact is that under a 80
per cent reduction in duty here on Cuban sugar
we would buy more Cuban sugar, and less Euro
or me beet sugar calamity howl in the hope
G;ba1 1s n no concessions are allowed to Cuba the
kes would be removed rbis NAV he an ~ uSchari
table opinion. but see other reason potent
enough TO cause men deliberately TO attempt to
attuIy St9tuIy me nations pledge and besmirch the
Under the reciprocity treaty with Spain demand
ed by the Aldrich amendment in 1891, with an ad-
we OF 20 10 90 % Per cent over other countries
the island, but lost all that advantage by the re
inp8sloo9 pfs OF duty on Cuban sugar IN the 1895
national pledges and natoaal honor "a ana standin
on the contracted platform Of seif-interest to the
aoandonment OF all questions Of right equity and
that we control the market of Cuba by a fair and
equitable reciprocal arrangement sufficient the
cent advantage over other countries to do So
concession duty
on CQba's sugar and tobacco should be considered
Tor II cannot be demonstrated that ruin, or even
serious injury would result 10 sugar or tobacco
interests in the United States, has there ever
eaR R bo 6 TO- my knowledge Where the
fact. We heard the same howl about Porto Rico
and We '2 have Rsd ts free df fd9 on w6 hf5
Porto Rico for a long time now. and If any tobacco
farmer has been ruined thereby l think he has [
been very successful In keeping II a secret from
his creditors at least have never heard OF it. nor
hat any injury has resulted 20 the beet sugar
or tobacco interests by the loudly proclaimed ruin
ous competition from Porto Rico; and it is entirely
"lthln reason TO suspect that little evil would
actually result to the beet sugar and tobacco in
.erests OF this country through a 80 per cent re-
5tnctiop on Cuban sugar and tobacco. On the /
other hand, very large and material benefits would /
certainly accrue to hundreds Of other interests.
notably the manufacturing interests OF New-Eng- |
and and the agricultural interests Of the West. |
therefore, II W. must subvert all other consider
atoms TO self-interest alone let US at least not
low neglect the opportunity OF making good and
)roftabe bargain, and at the time whether /
We wish IL or not, keep invoIate the nations |
pledge and honor, help POSTPONE the day Of annex
ition (now seriously consi5ered) and what is /
more, take heed in time OF the ominous warnings !
" danger to protective system uttered by our |
ate lamented President Mckinley and now reiter- |
lted with added force and significance by that |
V.se and honored statesman. Senator O. II. PIatt.
washington. February 20, 1902 II. s FRYE.