The Washington times., 1902-01-15
FAIR TRADE
4 WITH CUBA.
Senator Mason Speaks for
Reciprocity.
AN URGENT AND ELOQUENT PLEA
Relations with the Islands Should
Close. He Declares, ON the Same
Lofty Plane Upon Which They BE-
Sun-seed for Protective Tariff
SGli Urgeni-RcpeaI War Taxes.

Senator Mason's speech on Cuban reci-
procity yesterday was u notable one. He
was. as usual, very forceful and earnest.
His speech attracted a large audience
in the galleries, and was given close at
tention on the floor He was frequently
warmly applauded.
Reciprocity for Cuba.
His remarks were on the bill intro
duced by him Monday. In the course of
his remarks he advocated the cause OF
reciprocity generally. with particular ap-
plication to Cuba. He said:
My excuse for taking the floor today
upon the general subjects of tariff and
reciprocity. is to respectfully enter my
protest against the attempt of the Demo-
cratic party, aided by some people in our
own party to make it appear that there
is no longer need for a protective tariff
in the United States. and also to make
it appear that President Mckinley in his
speech at Buffalo had abandoned his doc
trlne Of protection
Danger to Industries.
Il call attention to one sentence which
shows that no proposition of reciprocity,
that no proposition of tariff reduction, can
be considered properly by the American
people unless it can be carried out with
out danger to our own industries. Yet our
friends on the other side of the Chamber
are anxious to take up and consider the
whole tariff schedule, when all history
shows US the truth of the statement in
President Rocseveit's message, that you
cannot even take up for consideration the
tariff laws OF this country without shak-
ing and unsettling business.
THE diversity of business in this ma
ton has so grown that it is almost i'm
possible for the human mind to compre-
hend it. Some great industries marufac-
ture for the, season, based entirely upon
their orders months or possibly year In
adysnce; others manufacture in one sea-
son upon the general basis of the demand
for their goods the season before. Over
production is always a danger, and there
is always danger of oyerproduetion.
Before a man manufactures under the
present tariff he wants to feel sure un-
der what tariff he is to be compelled to
sell his goods. The Dingley bill in times
of peace protected our material interests
and furnished a revenue. The schedules
were not disturbed for war purposes. but
We raised our revenues from internal
taxes, and It seems now that the only
wise course is to pursue that plan in the
Presidents message-to go back to a
peace basis-and reduce the surplus by
repeating }She war taxes which Sare not
needed in times of peace.
Adequacy of DinSIey Law.
Having done that, the near and i'm
mediate future will settle the question
whether the Dingley law is adequate for
protection and revenue at the same time. =
Senator Mason's concluding remarks
were an oxen declaration not only for fair
commercial treatment Of Cuba, but also
for her independence. He said
what crowning glory it will be for US
fair trade with Cuba, The reconcentrado
has disappeared forever children are no
longer shot as spies. the little daughters
are no longer sold into houses of shame,
and Las Foses has disapDeared-the cruel
pen written about by the little nun, who
said:
I'm the night there is no light, and in
the morning newborn children are mingled
with the dead
a Nightmare of the Past.
THAT picture remains only as a night
mare of the past We paid n mighty price
In blood and treasure for the change. and
the American conscience will demand that
our relations with Cuba must close upon
the same lofty plane upon which they be-
gan.
Even commercial honor demands that
we must say to her when we leave the
island: Put your brave little republican
| flag In the sky-the flag your fathers
fought for for half a century. We will
give you fair commercial opportunity
Work oct your own national life and your
own salvation with fear and trembling
| for while the Monroe Doctrine is written
in the hearts of the American people nc
other nation, great or small, shall be per-
mitted TO strike your colors or invade your
soil