Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-11-15

StOnS.
Washington, Nov. l3.-An important
conference, bearing on the subject of
the Cuban reciprocity treaty, WAS held
at the war department yesterday. the
participants being Secretary Hay. See
retary Root and General Tnskcr Bliss.
The latter was called into. the confer.
cnce ut Secretary Hays suggestion, be-
cause OF his expert knowledge of the
existing Cuban tariff. Before the con-
ference ut the war department, Secre-
with Senator CullOm, chairman of the
senate committee on foreign relations,
and also with Mr.. Quesada. the Cuban
minister here. Mr.. Qucsada was not
able to submit to Secretary Hay the
draft of the reciprocity treaty which
has been under consideration so long
by the authorities at Havana, as the
document has hot left that place.
Officially the United States govern
ment continues in ignorance of the cX-
tent and character of the changes, ii
any, which President Palma may de-
sire TO make in the treaty. From
other than official source, however, las
developed pretty clearly that the car
dinal objection of President Palma to
the treaty as it stands is the insult
ficient rebate of 20 percent proposed TO
be allowed on Cuban imports into the
United States.
President Palma makes the point
that conditions have changed in Cuba
so that whereas the ~ percent rebate
might have served when il was first
proposed, it would ut present afford SO
little relief rs not to warrant the sacr-
flee of Cuban revenues that would 30
involved in its acceptance. Secretary
Hay has determined to clear up that
point, and to that end. after talking
with Secretary Root yesterday. ii was
decided that General Bliss should be
sent at once to Cuba to make II per-
sOnal inv eStigation of its industrial
situation and its fiscal possibilities.
A high official OF tie government,
who is we'll Informed regarding our re-
latiOns with cuba, Ia discussing the
proposed treaty. said to The Associated
Press:
"The principal mission of General
Bliss will be to clear up in the minds of
the Cubans some applphensiOns which
they have regarding the effect of the
concession offered by the United Sta trs
and the various concessions which the
United States demands from Cuba. 1t
seems apparent that the situa ton is
not understood in cuba and the lego
tiatiOn haltS on that account.
"'rhere is no disposition to offer
greater concession to CuLa than ~ per-
cent, which will include ail products Of
the islands, while the concessions Co.
mandcd vary from 10 to 10 percent.
This is explained by tn" fact that the
concessions must be considered not so
much upon percentages rs upon exist
ing tariffs. The tariff of the United
States on all articles produced in Cuba
is so high that IL 20 percent reduction
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; Il reduction of ~ pcrccnt viii
give Il rebate TO Cuba of 500 i'm every
500 worth of sugar sent to this conn
try. On the other hand the duty i'm
posed by Cuba on cotton manufactured
goods is about 53 percent and the United
States manufacturer shipping cottnns
to cuba under Il like 20 percent rebate
would secure an advantage of only
about $G.';G on each 500 worth OF
goods. TO eqlmliZe this difference it
was found necessary to fix the rate OF
concession on cotton goods going from
the United States into Cuba ut go per.
cent. 1t is thought here that the Gu.
bans have not considered the matter
from this point of view and that it will
be necessary to inform them of the
basis of the demands of the United
States.
ut is possible that demands OF this
country may be modified slightly ON
an inycstiga tior of trade conditions in
Cuba, as the first draft of the treaty
was tue basis of IN agreement. 1t is
not likely, however, that any greater
conc cSSion will he offered cuba, as 1t is
held that the high rate Of duty OH sugar
and tobacco will, with 20 percent retllc-
ton. enable the CubInS to either under
sell all other foreigners or secure
greater profits on their products than
people of other nations
"rhc reciprocity treaty is likely to
Ike separate document from any gen
eral treaty provided for under the platt
amendment. 1t makes no difference
whether or not Il treaty is negotiated
with Cuba save Oh the subject of the
Isle of Pines. The Platt amendment
being Il part of our law and Il part of
the cuban constitution. it is held that
it operates as II binding proposition
even If the prov isions of the amend
mcnt are not embodied in Il treaty.
The United States will secure the coaI.
ing stations and Cuba is bound to carry
ont the provisions of her own cOnstitu-
ton. That the embodiment OF the
terms of the platt amendment in n
treaty would br we'll Ia not denied, but
such action Is not necessary save to
establish, closer and more friendly ~
lationS between the two governments
from n diplomatic point of view"
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