The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-01-28

Washington. January 25-Colonel
Tasker Bliss. the United States army
officer detailed as collector Of customs
at Havana. was before the ways and
means committee today concerning Gu
ban reciprocity. In opening his state
ment he disclaimed authority as sugar
expert and said his knowledge was con-
fined to that Of an observer for three
years in an official position dealing
with the trade Of Cuba. This had led
him to hope that if there was any
change in the tariff it would be such an
adjustment as would throw into the
hands of the United States the large
amount of Cuban trade now taken by
foreign countries.
Speaking first of the condition of the
Cuban sugar industry. he said it was
greatly depressed. The leading Havana
banks were refusing further credits to
the planters and when this occurred It
was a sure evidence Of the distress of
the plantations. He roughly estimated
the sugar industry of the island at
about 5000. .000. 600 and said about three
one way or another on the sugar in
dustry.
Chairman Payne asked Colonel Bliss
to specify what advantages the United
States could gain from Cuba and Mr..
Payne also called attention to the low
tariff rate Cuba imposed against the
United States.
Colonel Bliss said the average ad va
loren rate was about q per cent. and
he presented tables designed to show
how a tariff readjustment could throw
practically all of the Cuban trade into
the hands of American producers. At
present. he said. Cuba bought $66,000,-
900. of which the United States furnish
ed s28.475. 900 and the balance of about
s37. 100000 came from foreign countries.
On many articles. such as fresh beef,
railroad iron and other specified arti-
cles. the United States had a practical
monopoly of the trade: but on many
other articles. totaling about S45, 900 900
the United States had but 900 Of
the trade.
"By a reasonable modification of the
Cuban tariff said Colonel Bliss, "at
least Sc per cent of this trade can be
thrown to the United States"
He submitted a list of articles on
which a differential of about SO per
cent favorable to the United States as
against other foreign countries would
give us the trade. In reporting on this
to the war department. the condition
had been imposed upon. him not to re-
duce the revenues of Cuba. Under such
circumstances he thought it would be
necessary first to raise Cuba's tariff
rates. for purposes of revenue. and then
tial to give the United States control Of
the trade. This he put forward only
tentatively as one Of the several plans
proposed to the war department
The members of the committee oues-
toned Colonel Bliss on the details of
the proposed readiustment.
In the course Of the examination Rep
resentative Newlands. of Nevada. sug-
gested that without our political con-
troll of Cuba there might be servile la
bor to compete with American labor. He
added:
Are the Cuban people prepared to
come into political relations with the
United States?"
81 think great majority of the Gu
bans are ready to. come in" Colonel
Bliss replied.
LAS territory or state?" asked Mr..
Newlands.
'They would be glad to come in as a
state. or a territory. or under the mill
tary authority-almost any way in or
der to come under the authority of the
United States"
IF invited to come in first as ter
ritory. then as a state, would this be
accepted?"
"I think 1t would"
Continuing on this topic, Colonel Bliss
said he thought commercial union with
Cuba would postpone political union.
Personally he was not convinced Of the
wisdom Of annexation. The feeling in
Cuba was one of readiness to accept any
conditions the United States might i'm
pose.
Louis Place and Mr.. Mendoza of the
Cuban delegation, were heard briefly.
THE GRIDIRON CLUBS BANQUET
The Seventeenth Annual Entertafn-