Evening star., 1902-08-18
CUBAN RETALIATION
SUGGESTED DISCRIMINATING
DUTY ON WHEAT AND CORN.
Real Significance Of the Proposed Ac-
ton Will Be Its Effect on
Public Sentiment.

The suggestion that Cuba may adopt a dis
eliminating duty on wheat and corn i'm
ported into that island from the United
States as a retaliation for the failure of
Congress to pass some reciprocity measure
for the benefit of Cuba causes economists
who are paying especial attention to our
foreign trade to smile. OF course those
whose business it is to build up the Amer
ica7 trade abroad endeavor to foster every
relation that is contributing to that trade
or that may be controlled III the future to
contribute to it. But when the suggestion
is made that Cuba may take such a course
in order to force the United States to do
anything it would not do otherwise they
point to the statistics, which show how
small is the consumption of American
wheat and corn by Cuba
The statistics for the fiscal year ended
June 80 1902 have recently been publish
ed. During the last fiscal year the United
States shipped abroad wheat -four to the
value of SIP ,0GO.0 600 and wheat valued at
$65, 100000. During that same year Cuba
took wheat flour to the value of S2,130, 900
and practically no wheat 1t will be seen
that Cuba S importation of wheat flour was
slightly over l per cent of the total exports
Of flour and wheat. This is regarded SO
insignificant as not to enter into any calcu-
lation that might affect our foreign trade
in that respect. If Cuba should absolutely
bar ont the wheat flour from the United
States its action could not affect prices
and would only result in diverting that
amount of the product in some other direc-
ton
Exports Of Corn.
During the last fiscal year the exports of
corn from the United States amounted to
$4,000, 900. That was exceeding small
figure, because of the failure of the corn
crop to a large extent The normal amount
of the exports of corn is valued at about
$75,000,0oo During the fiscal year ended
June 80 1901, the corn experts aggregated
SS2,o00,0O0 The present fiscal year will
probably produce normal amount of this
cereal. Last year. the Cuban importation
of corn amounted to SS7S,o09. This, too, is
about 1 per cent of the normal exports of
corn from the United States and is not
large enough to be of material influence.
Those who have the most thorough ac-
quaintance with the foreign trade do not
believe that Cuba will adopt any retaliatory
act against American wheat and corn for
the business reason that these American
products are of the highest quality and can
be secured at better prices from the United
States than from any other part of the
world If they do not go to Cuba from
the United States they are more apt to be
Imported in that island from Canada. Last
year Canada shipped abroad $14000,O00 Of
wheat and between $4,0O0,o00 and 50, 600 600
or hour, most of which went to the united
kingdom.
Real Significance of Retaliatory Action
The real significance Of any retaliatory
action on the part of Cuba is not regarded
AS of importance because of it's influence on
the market, but rather because of it's ef-
feet on this country in dealing with both
Cuba and the Philippines in the future.
Politicians believe that the sentiment of
the people of this country will be Influenced
very largely in the future both in regard
to Cuba and the Philippines, but the course
adopted by Cuba as an Independent repub
llc II the people of Cuba conduct the'n-
selves in way to show that they are con-
servatlve in the government of their own
people and appreciative what the United
states mas done for that island it is believ-
ed the effect will be plainly seen among the
American people. 1t will, it is thought,
promote a feeling of liberal treatment to-
ward both the Cubans and the Philippines.
II on the other hand the CubanS should
snow a mercurial temperament and a read
mess TO retaliate whenever the United
states 1alls to act in accordance with the
wishes of the people of that island, the ef
rect on the American people. they think,
will be far from favorable toward the Gu
pans, and In way will cause them to 60
more slowly in carrying out their liberal
sentiments toward the Filipinos. Those
VINO are most anxious to foster good rela-
tlons toward the Cubans, Filipinos and all
people IN the possessions Of the United
states express the hope that the conserva-
tive people of those islands, and especially
of Cuba at this time may use their UTMOST
influence to prevent the taking of extreme
measures that are apt 10 cause americans
10 lose confidence in their ability for cen
servatiYe government z;