The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1902-06-19

Appeal from Palma.
Yesterday. June u, / received, by
cable, from the American minister in
Cuba, a most earnest appeal from Presi-
dent Palma for Legislative relief before
it is too late and (his) country financial
ly ruined"
THE granting of reciprocity with Cuba
IS a proposition which stands entirely
alone. The reasons for it far outweie h
those for granting reciprocity with any
other nation. and are entirely consistent
with preserving intact the protective sys-
tenn under which this country has thriyen
so marvelousIy. The present tariff law
was designed to promote the adoption Of
such reciprocity treaty, and expressly
provided for a reduction not to exceed
20 per cent. upon goods coming from
a particular country, leaving the tariff
rates on the same articles unchanged as
regards all other countries. Objection
has been made to the granting of the re.
ouction on the ground that the substaH-
tial benefit would not go TO the agricul-
tural producer Of sugar. but would in
ure to the American sugar rehners. In
my judgment provision can, and should
be. made which Will guarantee US against
this possibility; without having recourse
TO a measure Of doubtful policy, such as
q bounty in the form Of a rebate.
The Real Issue.
1.-THE question as 10 which # any Of the
different schedules Of the tariff ought
most properly TO be revised does not en-.
ter into this matter in any way or shape.
We are concerned with getting a friend
ly reciprocal arrangement with Cuba.
This arrangement applies to all the arti-
cles that Cuba grows or produces. 1t
is not in our power TO determine what
these articles shall be; and any discuss
sion OF the tariff as it affects special
At - NIB
Is wholly aside from the subject matter
to which l call your attention.
GroundIess Apprehensiops.
Some Of our citizens oppose the low
ering OF the tariff on Cuban products.
Just as three years ago they opposed the
admission OF the Hawaiian Islands, lest
free trade with them might ruin certain
of our interests here. In the actual event
their fears proved baseless as regards
Hawaii, and their spprehensions as TO
the damage to any industry Of our own
because OF the proposed measure OF reei-
procity with Cuba seem to me equally
baseless. In my judgment no American
industry will be hurt, and many Ameri-
can industries will be benefited. by the
proposed action. 1t is to our advantage
as a nation that the growing Cuban mar
ket should be controlled by American
producers.
An Equitable Arrangement
ssThe events following the war with
Epaln, and the prospective building OF the
isthmian canal, render IL certain that we
must take in the future a far greater inter-
est than hitherto in what happens through
out the West Indies, Central America and
the adjacent coasts and waters. We expect
Cuba to treat US on an exceptional footing
politically, and We should put her in the
came exceptional position economically
The proposed action 10 in line width the
course we have pursued as regards all the
islands with which We have been brought
into relations Of varying intimacy by the
Spanish war. Porto Rico and Hawaii have
been included within our tariff lines, 10
their great benefit as well as ours, and width
out any of the feared detriment to our own
industries. The Philippines. which stand In
q different relation. have been granted sub
stantial tariff concessions.
Asks for Special Concessions.
Scuba is an Independent republic, but a
republic which has assumed certain special
Obligations as regards her International po-
fition In compliance with our request. ask
for her certain special economic conces-
sOns In return; these economic concessions
10 bsnefit us as well a. her There are few