New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-13
GEN. BLISS GOING TO CUBA
az MISSION CONCERNING RECI-
PROCITN
gr Is TO INVESTIGATE THE SITUATION
AND ALLAY CUBAN APPREHENSION
THE CONCESSIONS PROPOSED
BY ne Associated Prezs.l


washington. Nov l2-At an important con
,,,snee held at the War Department on the
.-,nosed Cuban reciprocity treaty to-day, in
Ai,b Secretary Hay. Secretary Root and Cen
80 Tasker H Bliss took part il was decided
a send General Bliss at once to Cuba TO make
. nersanal investigation Of the industrial situa-
,io, and the financial possibilities Of the islands.
genera Bliss was selected for this work on &C
,ourt OF his expert knowledge Of conditions in
chs He was Collector Of Customs at Havana
,hroughout the American occupation Of the
.sland. and took q prominent part in prepar-
ing the Cuban tariff.
CONCESSIONS MADE AND DEMANDED
A bieh Official Of the government who is well
,rformed regarding relations with Cuba, in dis
rpssing the proposed reciprocity treaty to-day
said.
The principal mission Of General Bliss VIII be
n clear up IN the minds Of the Cubans some ap-
rrehensions which they have regarding the
erect o. The concession offered by the United
states and the various concessions which the
United States demands from Cuba. IL seems
apparent that the situation is not understood in
cuba. ana The negotiation halts on that ac-
rount.
rassion 70 Cuba than 20 per cent, which viii in
rlude al products Of the island, while the con-
cessions demanded vary from 10 TO 20 per cent
This is explained by the fact that the conces-
Fions must be considered not so much upon per
centages as upon existing tariffs. The tariff Of
me United States on all articles produced in
cuba is so high that 20 per cent reduction Will
near much 20 the island. This relates espe-
Cially To sugar and tobacco a single illustra-
,ion is given: The present duty on sugar is
about 100 per cent, reduction Of 20 per cent
VII give rebate 10 Cuba Of $50 in every 500
worth Of sugar sent 10 this country. on the
ether hand, the duty imposed by Cuba on cotton
manufactured goods is about 80 1-3 per cent
EnG the United States manufacture shipping
rortons 70 Cuba under a like 20 per cent rebate
~nsffF
% on each 500 worth OF goods. To
e1uslize this difference Il was found necessary
70 TX the rate Of concession on cotton goods
gong from the United States into Cuba al go
PER cent II is thought here that the Cubans
have not considered the matter from this point
az view, and that II VIII be necessary 70 inform
shen a the basis Of the demands OF the United
STATES
WHAT PRESIDENT PALMA WANTS
General Bliss was called into the conference
a. the War Department al Secretary Hays
suggestion Before the conference Secretary
Hay had talked with Senator Cullom, chair
man Of the Committee on Foreign Relations,
and with Mr.. Quesada, the Cuban minister here.
Mr.. Quesada was not able TO submit the draft
~ the reciprocity treaty which has peen IN
der consideration so long by the authorities at
Havana, as the document has not left that city
80. oficially, the United States Government
continues IN ignorance Of the extent and char
aCteT OF the changes. If any. which President
Palma may desire 10 make in the treaty. From
Eitlon OF the Cuban President in this matter
has been learned pretty clearly. The cardinal
objection OF President Palma TO the treaty as
81 stands is the rebate Of 20 per cent proposed
70 be allowed on Cuban imports into the United
states, and Secretary Hays purpose is rasascer-
tain II possible, how far he can yield in that
matter and still be able 10 rely on the support
az Congress At the coming session. when the
treaty is submitted. SO far. his advices do not
favor any increase OF the rebate. and. indeed.
he has been assured by some persons with whom
he has talked that under no conditions would
Congress consent 10 any substantial increase OF
1his rebate.
Il IS understood that the Cubans are I'M
willing 10 accept an small increase. In the
FAC OF q great shortage IN the European sugar
Cro- and rapidly rising market they have &C
CURED confidence in their ability TO get along
for indefinite period OF time without reel
procity with the United States. and so II is
understood that they are showing an indiffer-
snce IN the prosecution Of the treaty negotia-
lions. which is serving in turn TO stimulate the
efforts Of the negotiations here. President
Palma makes the point that conditions have
changed in Cuba so that whereas. the 20 per
cent rebate might have served when II was first
proposed. il would al present afford so little re-
lief as not 10 warrant the sacrifice Of Cuban
revenues which would be involved in its &C
ceptence. Secretary Hay has determined TO
clear Up that point, and 70 that end. after talk
ing with Secretary Root to-day il was decided
that General Bliss should be sent 10 Cuba. It is
Improbable that pending his return the State
Department can advance the treaty negotiations
sn any way.