New-York tribune., 1902-10-29
TREATIES WITH CUBA.
AZ IMPORTANT CHANGE MADE IN THE
PROGRAMME.
NEGoTIATIONs FOR NAVAL STATIONS To
BE OPENED AT oNCE-ExTRADrrIoN
AND RECIPROCITY.

Washington, Oct 2S-There has been amin
nor,ant change in the programme respecting the
whole fabric OF Cuban treaties II had oripi-
nauy been intended TO perfect a reciprocity
trcaty before undertaking 10 deal with other
relations that must be defined by treaty. As il
Is now seen that the subject Of reciprocity will
require considerable time for its disposition. the
Government here is about TO undertake napo-
nations looking TO the arrangement of an ex-
tradition treaty. which is much needed. as Cuba
threatens 10 become refuge for American
criminals. The navy is also pressing for the
coalng stations promised under the terms Of
the Platt amendment, and the near approach of
The manGuvres at Clebra Island has stinau-
lated this desire, as it has been shown that such
stations would be Of great strategic value in the
evolutions. Therefore, the Cuban Government
will be invited at once 10 open negotiations on
this point
i is not expected that this can be done with
out some friction. because there has been a
growing disinclina1ion on the part of the Cubans
10 the idea Of surrendering coaIing stations TO
the United States. Proper sites for coaling. sta
lions were tentatively selected many months
ago by Admiral Bradford, Chief Of the Eouip-
unent Bureau, who is directly in charge OF naval
coaling stations. but of the four points selected
Havana Harbor has been abandoned from re-
gard Tor CUBAN SeESlbllty- II IS not likely that
further sacrifices Of that kind will be made. and
the other three points, Nipe. on the north coast.
and Cieufuegos and Guantanamo. on the south
coast OF The island. viii be chosen as permanent
locations.
The fact recorded in dispatches from Havana
that President Palma has returned TO Washing
ton the draft Of the reciprocity treaty without
his approval has not shaken the belief Of Off
cals here that they Will have a treaty ready TO
submit 10 Congress when IL meets IN Decenb Der
AS soon as Mr.. Quesada, the Cuban Minister
here, receives the document. he viii submit il
10 Secretary Hay. Mr.. Hay already knows the
general nature Of the objections found by the
Cuban Government. Then negotiations viii be
continued on the basis Of the original draft, for
Il is explicitly stated that the proposition sub
nitted Dy the State Department was in no
sense an ultimatunl. and the matter is stiu open
10 adjustment
Generally stated the Cuban objections are
based on a belief that the United States has
demanded undue concessions in the remission of
duties or United States products entering Cuba
ranging all the way from 10 per cent 10 so Der
cent IN return for a 20 per cent cut on Cuban
sugar and tobacco coming into the United
States. AS the difference IS one strictly OF fig
ures and not OF principles, il is the opinion al
the State Department that il can be settled
arnicably. II not, and the Cuban Government
insists on terms the State Department cannot
grant, the two countries VIII simply drift along
without a trade treaty Of this kind. AS Cuba
viii undoubtedly be the principal sufferer. IL is
expected here that she VIII be the first TO make
another advance toward a treaty.