The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-02-02

Must be Saved by More just
Tariff Legislation
Especial Correspondence of The Eagle)
Washington, Feb. 1.-The Cuban situa-
ton is so acute that the Cubans are ready
TO make any terms; to accept any con-
ditions, in order 10 secure concessions on
the part of this country. The plea is
made for prompt relief. These condi-
lions are shown by the hearings Of this
week
The things that Cuba desires are:
That Cuban planters secure the relief
by reason Of tariff concessions.
That the business men Of the island be
saved from bankruptcy
That larger market for American pro-
ducers be secured.
That the United States fulfill a moral
obligation.
Cuba is so anxious to make terms that
Il may accept even political union with
the United States-something that far
seeing statesmen claim to be the only
outcome Of the whole Cuban controversy.
An the island now wishes is relief from
the distressed condition she finds herself
in. If this relief be granted by the Unit
Cd States. the compensation. whatever it
may De. VIII probably be made promptly
and cheerfully.
80 -
PATTY in the committee of ways and
means with the contentious Of the beet
sugar people. Their attitude has been
very unfortunate. They have not made
a. good case as was expected of them.
A great many regard this industry as re-
ceiving too much protection even now.
The same feeling prevails among mem
bers Of the administration who have been
urging most strongly sone. action look
Ing to reciprocal agreement with Cuba
il IS 10 doubt true that President Roose-
Velt sees in this contest Of the beet-sugar
people not fight for the farmer. but
one for the capitalist, who has thrive6
so materially since the advent of the in
dustry.
Colonel Tasker il. Bliss. [. s. A. col
leetor Of customs at Havana, presented
the Cuban and administration side very
clearly in his recent testimony before the
committee Of ways and means He cited
the fact that not only would Cuban mer-
chants and planters be saved from i'm
pending bankruptcy, but a new market
would be found for American producers
By a reciprocal agreement
Colonel Bliss stated that Cuba at pres-
FDf b0nurhf mil
annually. OF which the United States fur
nlshed about twenty-five and one-half |
millions Foreign countries had almost |
monopoly of the Cuban trade Secure |
2 modification of tariff rates. Colonel
Bliss said. and this trade would come 10 |
the United States almost wholly.
Two facts are evident to the unpre- |
JUDGED student of this Cuban situation; /
First. Cuba is actually suffering. and as /
bad as its condition is, it is bound to be
worse if no action follows. Second.
However much the beet-sugar people NAV
cry out that they VIII be injured. the fact
remains that only small percentage of
The sugar annually consumed in this
country of the beet variety is produced
here, now. under high duties.
1T has been adduced in the hearings he
Tore the committee on ways and means
that it costs The Cuban sugar planter two
cents per pound TO grow and prepare for
market his product The duty on sugar
is L66 cents per pound. Rather than
ship his sugar to New York, pay the
duty, the freight the other incidental
charges, the Cuban planter now sells his
sugar on the island at a cent and a half
per pound. losing a half-cent per pound
on the transaction. Such a condition
certainly is deplorable: is demoralizing to
the chief industry Of Cuba
Il a reciprocal agreement is made with
Cuba. Kansas is certain to profit. Kansas
produces just what Cuba needs-faru,
products This includes wheat. flour.
corn, and meat products Of an kinds
Cuba raises sugar and tobacco. 1t is not
difficult to see where il is 10 the advan- ]
,age Of Kansas and her represe natives in
congress to stay with the propositions
bat sives Kansas a chance To secure adj
1;ional market for her products. This
has bee: Mr- Longs position throughout.
and his membership on ways and means
has permitted him 20 be of material ser
vice 10 his state. if a reciprocal agreement
be made. which now seems beyond n,
loubt.
The Missouri patronage fight is one OF
he interesting things just now. 1t has
been prominent for some time. 1t is
light on the one hand by Colonel r. C.
Nerens OF 81 Louis. member Of the nat
onal Republican committee. ana on the
'ther hand. Representatives Jov am.
3artholdt. Republicans of St Louis. As
sisted by the state chairman r. J. Atkins
IND yet probably the most conspic,o,s
sure 10 q certain extent in this latter
iignment is T. a. Hitchcock secretary
L the interior
When it came time 10 appoint fedora, Q
fcehoiders ~ ST. Louis. Colonel Ke~ens e
elieved of course. that he wouIa har, d
rs recommendations taken on the d
ther hand. the members of congress. Jov
~ BarJholdt. feit they should have
hance- They are only Republican mem
ers from Missouri Hitchcock Joined :
hem. and made bitter personal stack :
p Colonel Herens. The result was q =
iiFht victory for the anti-Kcrens crowd.
hen This fgLt extended all over the
tate. hy reason az the eXpirations of
lany postmaster's terms :
r seemed rather queer 10 political OBJ
arNefs here that Colonel Kerens mem
or II the national committee who /,
ponds much money and time for his "
arty i2 Missouri should not be rscoe,- +,
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