Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-11-14
CUBAN RECIPROCITY.
Secs. Hay and Root Confer
With Gen. Tasker Bliss.
Latter Will Go to Cuba 10 Investigate
Industrial Conditions.
Pres. Palma Evidently Wants More
Than He Will Get.

NdSHtnStOT, NOV. Io--<tIl
conference bearing on the subject OF
the Cuban reciprocity treaty was held
at the war department Wednesday,
the participants being Secretary Hay,
Secretary Root and General Tasker
Bliss. The latter was called into the
conference at Secretary Hays sugges-
ton because of his expert knowledge
of the existing Cuban tariff. Before the
conference at the war department, Sec
rotary Hay had talked on this subject
with Senator Cullom, chairman of the
Senate committee on foreign relations,
and also with Senior euesada, the Gu
ban minister here.
Senior Quesada was not able to sub
nit to Secretary Hay the draft of the
reciprocity treaty, which has been I'M
der consideration 50 long by the au-
thorities at Havana, as the document
has not left that place. SO officially
the United States government contin-
ues i'm ignorance of the extent and
character Of the changes, if any. which
President Palma may desire to make
in the treaty. From other than official
source. however, has developed pretty
clearly the disposition of the Cuban
President in this matter.
The cardinal objection of President
Palma to the treaty as it stands is tn"
insufficient rebate of 20 per cent. pro-
posed to be allowed on Cuban imports
into the United states, and Secretary
Hay purpose is to ascertain, if possible,
how far he can yield in that matter
and still he able to rely upon the sup
port of Congress next session when the
treaty is submitted.
So far. his advices do not favor any
Increase of the rebates, and indeed ne
has been assured by some persons with
whom he has talked that under no con-
ditiOn would Congress consent to any
substantial increase of this rebate. II
is understood that the Cubans, too, are
entirely unwilling to accept any small
increase.
President Palma makes the point
that the conditions have changed in
Cuba so that whereas the 20 per cent.
rebate might have served when il was
4. first PROPOSED it would at present af-
ford so little relief as not to warrant
the sacrifice of Cuban revenues that
would be involved in its acceptance.
Secretary Hay has determined to
clear up that point and to that cnd,
after talking with Secretary Root, to-
day, il was decided that General Bliss
should be sent at once to CUBA TO
make a personal investigation OF the
industrial situation and the fiscal pos
sibiiities of the islands. So 1t is I'M
probable that pending his return from
his Cuban visit, the state department
can advance the treaty negotiations IN
any way.
A high official of the government
who is well informed regarding our
relations with Cuba, in discussing the
proposed treaty, today, said to The
Associated Press:
THE principal mission of Gen.
Bliss will be to clear up in the minds
of the Cubans some apprehensions
which they have regarding the effect
of the concession offered by the
Hunted States and the various con-
cessions which the United States de-
mands from Cuba. 1t seems apparent
that the situation is not understood
in Cuba and the negotiation halts on
that account.
There is no disposition to offer a
greater concession to Cuba than 30
States on all articles produced in Cuba
is so high that 20 per cent. rcduc-
ton will mean much to the island.
This relates especially to sugar and
tobacco. A single illustration is
given: The present duty on sugar is
about 100 per cent; a reduction of 20
per cent will give a rebate to Cuba
of $50 in every 500 worth of sugar
sent to this country. On the other
hand the duty imposed by Cuba on
cotton manufactured goods is about
20 Is per cent. and the United States
manufacturer shipping cotton to Cuba
under n like 20 per cent. rebate would
secure an advantage of only about
SG6e on each 800 worth of goods. To
euualizc this difference it was found
necessary to fix the rate of concession
on cotton goods going from the
United States into Cuba at 60 per cent
1T is possible that demands of this
country may he modified slightly or
an investigation of trade conditions
i'm Cuba. 1t is not likely. however. thai
any great concession will be offered
Cuba.
'Thc reciprocity treaty is likely t.
be separate document from any gen
eral treaty provided for under thu
Plat amendment
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