The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-04-04
In BEHALF OF HIS PEOPLE
PREsIDENT-ELECT PALMA TALKS TO
NEW YORK. BUSINESS MEN.
He Urges the Cbamber of
to Assist in Enecting a Reel
prOcity Treaty with Cuba.

VIEW YORK. April at. Estrada Palma,
President-elect OF the Cuban republic, ad-
dressed the New York Chamber Of Com
nIerce to-day. Mr.. Palma. who was intro
duced By Morris X. Jessup, president Of
the chamber. said that in his opinion com
nIerce was the most important wheel in the
complex mechanism Of a political body. 1t
was an efficient factor in developing the
resources OF a country in promoting and
building uD its industries and in fostering
the energies OF the people and carrying
their activities beyond the boundaries OF
the nation IN all parts OF the world. even
those which are not within the pale OF
civilization. Still more" he continued. II
We look on the moral aspect Of the COM
mereiai movement of a country we md
that BY its blessed effects order and peace
are assured within and feeling OF friend
ship and good will strengthened without.
In modern times m has materially
developed its real force, attaining the char
acter OF "A powerful factor in the social re-
lations OF men. II is principally due to the
interests created by II that nations are
anxious for peace and devote their efforts
10 smOthering old grudges. which other
wise might break out at any time on the
slightest pretext.
witt my conviction that the best and
surest way TO attach one way TO another
consists in building up and Strengthening
the trade relations through reciprocal legls-
1ation of the products and the development
or other interests in the same line, L, VINO
entertain for Cuba, my native country, the
greatest love. ana feel at the same time
deep gratitude 10 the United States, where.
for eighteen years 1 have met with the
most kind, generous and cordial hospitality,
am anxious 10 see both countries closely
connected and firmly united by a reciprocal
commercial treaty, drawn IN the most
favorable terms, a treaty to the end that
Cuba become the largest market In Ameri-
ca for the products of the United states,
and hat this country raise the par now
placed against the Cuban products, especl-
ally sugar and tobacco, which are the prin-
eipal staples Of the island, and constitute
the only basis we have to start on In I'M
folding other industries.
On the Chamber of m of New
York. and each one of its stimabl mem
beers. depends, in great MEASURE the at
tainment OF that advantageous result, as
the enormous amount of business which
this chamber represents certainly needs a
vast. an immense field. and Cuba, lying
within hands reach, affords one or the
best grounds for profitable trade. /, there
fore, avail myself of this opportunity TO
enlist your help, your earnest support, in
order TO obtain from the Congress or the
United States. the House and the Senate,
a substantial reduction of the duties on
sugar and tobacco. a reduction larger than
LndI TtGOIlDltuutQ ny II NOAuiiilNNCC Oh
ways and means in the House, which will,
in no way. afford any relief to the present
distress of the Cuban producers.
After Senior Palma's speech a vote of
thanks was extended 10 him and a resOlu-
ton was offered by Francis b. Thurber in
favor of a 80 per cent. reduction in the
present Cuban tariff. After much discussion
the resolution was. referred TO the COM
lnittee on foreign trade with the proyiso
that such committee report at a special
meeting one week from to-day.
Albert Mosely, an English commissioner
who came 10 the United States to study
trade conditions here. addressed the cham
Der. He said that in his opinion the educa-
tional system was the foundation of the
country's prosperity. Charles NJ. Schwab,
president of the United States Steel Cor
poration, was elected a member of the
chamber at to-day's meeting.