The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-26
AND COL. BLISS EXPLAINS
Majority of the Cubans Would Wei.
come Annexation.
READY TO ACCEPT ANY CONDITIONS
Colonel Bliss of the Opinion That Commercial
Union Would Delay Political Union.
Sugar industry Of the Island
Greatly Depressed
CBy the Associated Press.)


(By the Associated Press)
Washington. D. c., Jan. 25.-Col Tas-
ker Bliss, the United States army Off
Ger detailed as collector of customs at
Havana was before the Ways and Means
Committee today concerning Cuban re-
ciprocity. In opening his statement he
disclaimed authority as a sugar exert
and said his knowledge was confined to
that of an observer for three years in an
official position dealing with the trade
of Cuba. This had led him 10 hope that
If there was any change in the tariff 1t
would be such an adjustment as would
throw into the hands of the United
States the large amount of Cuban trade
now taken by foreign countries
Speaking first of the condition of the
Cuban sugar Industry, he said it was
greatly depressed, with leading Havana
banks refusing further credits to
the planters. and when t}is occurred it
was sure evidence of the distress on
the plantations. He roughly estimated
the sugar industry of the island at $780,
100000 and said about three fourths of
the people were Independent in one way
or another on the sugar industry
Chairman Payne asked Col Bliss to
s5cfify what advantages the United
States could gain from Cuba, and Mr.
Payne also called attention to the low
tariff rate Cuba imposed against the
United States.
Col. Bliss said the average ad valorem
rate was about u per cent, and he pre-
sented tables designed to show how tar
if readjustment could throw practically
all the Cuban trade into the hands of
American producers. At present, he said,
Cuba bought $66,475O 600 and the balance
of about $37, 100000 came from foreign
countries. On many articles. such as
fresh beef, railroad iron and other speci-
fed articles, the United States had
practical monopoly of the trade. But on
many other articles, totalling about $45-
100000 the United States had but $10,-
600. 900 of the trade.
by a reasonable modification of the
Cuban tariff said Col. Bliss, at least
S6 per cent. of the trade can be thrown
to the United States"
He submitted list of articles on which
a differential of about SO per cent, fav-
orable to the United States as against
other foreign countries would give us the
trade. In reporting on this to the War
Department the condition had been inn
posed upon him not to reduce the reve-
nues of Cuba. Under such circumstan-
ces, he thought it would be necessary
first to raise Cuba,s tariff rates, for pur-
poses of reVenue, and then readjust them
with sufficient differential to give the
| United States control of the trade. This
| he put forward only tentatively as one
Of several plans proposed to the War
Department.
The members of the committee ques-
| toned Col. Bliss on the details of the
proposed readjustment In the course of
| the examination Representative New
lands, of Nevada, suggested that with
out our political control of Cuba there
| might be servile labor to compete with
American labor He added:
Are the Cuban people prepared to
come into political relations with the
United States?"
Il think great majority of the Gu
bans are ready to come in," Col. Bliss
replied.
las Territory or State?" asked Mr..
| Newlands.
They would be glad to come in as a
State, or a Territory, or under the mill
tary authority-almost any way in order
to come under the authority of the Unit
ed States
"If invited to come in first as a Ter
ritory. then as a State, would this he
accepted"
Il think it would"
Continuing on this topic, Col, Bliss said
he thought commercial union with Cuba
| would postpone political union. Per-
sonally he was not convinced of the wis
dom of annexation. The feeling in Cuba
was one of readiness to accept any con-
ditions the United States might impose.
Louis Place and Mr.. Mendoza. of the
| Cuban delegation, were heard briefly.