The Washington times., 1902-05-25
Says Bill Does Not Offer
Reciprocity on Equal
Basis.
FAVORED NATION CLAUSE
Associated Economic Corporation of
Cuba Says That Terms Offered Are to
Advantage of United States-Com-
mittee to Meet Tomorrow.

The Republican members of the Gu
ban Relations Committee will have an
pther meeting tomorrow. when the ques-
ton of the Cuban reciprocity bill will
be considered. and it is expectej that an
agreement will be reached Oh some
members in the Senate will support to
insure passage.
Senator Spooner has prepared a plan
in the nature Of compromise, on which
great hopes are placed. 1t will be sub
mitted at the meeting, and may be
agreed to.
The Administration men have not been
having so easy a time as they at first
expected. 1t is said that at least twen-
ty-one Of the Republicans have been OPP
posed to any cut in the tariff in favor of
Cuba The majority OF these. however,
1t is known, will be willing. for the sake
Of party harmony, to vote on bill
that is not too radical in its provisions,
md it has been intimated by some of
them that they would be willing to fol-
low Senator Spooner in the matter.
Favor Rebate Plan.
Senators Burrows, Dietrich. and one
pf two others are still opposed to any
reciprocity plan whatever, wishing to
give any necessary aid to the Cuban
planters in the shape Of direct pay
ment. This plan has not SO many sup
porters as it once had. however, as there
\ said TO be much doubt as TO its con-
vtitutionality.
An open letter in the reciprocity ques-
tion has been received by all the Sena-
tors from a Cuban association of bust
ness men, known as the Associated
Economic Corporation Of Cuba. 1t OPP
poses the House bill on the ground that
Ii does not provide for reciprocal trade
relations with Cuba, but for unequal
trade relations. all in favor of the
United States, and imposed by the SUI
perior power of q great nation upon the
new and weak"
Unequal Trade Relations.
The letters says:
THE imposition of the immigration.
exclusion. and contract labor laws of
the United States upon Cuba is unjust
because these laws may prove to be I'M
suitable to the industry and commerce
Of the island under its present condi-
tions. They may psralyze and obstruct
the reconstruction and development of
the country. These matters should be
left to the free control of the indie
pendent government of Cuba unless the
United States proposes TO enter into
free and full commercial union with
Cuba.
THE reduction of 20 per cent offered
by the United States in the American
Tariff in favor of the products and manu-
features Of Cuba is insufficient to pro-
pote the rect instruction OF the coun-
try and TO put an end 10 the econom-
ical crisis that equally affects all the
producing classes and imoels them to
bankruptcy.
THE concessions proposed in the
House bill are not reciprocal and equiv
alent because while the United States
only binds itself to impose upon Cuban
products and manufactures so per cent
OF the duties fixed ia the Dingley tariff
Cuban is to impose on the products
and manufactures of the United States
duties mat are TO De AT least ~ per
cent lower nd valorem than those levied
on similar articles imported into Cuba
from the most favored country. Tho
United States will reduce by 20 per
cent its present tariff in favor of Cuba,
but does not bind itself TO make the
same reduction in the rates It has al
ready granted or may grant in future
to other nations by reciprocal treaties
or by legislation. The United States
does not bind itself, as II demands of
Cuba, 10 grant Cuban products and man
ufacturcs the benefit of rates Of duties
at least 20 per cent lower ad valorem
than those levied upon like articles
from the most favored country.
THE United States ought to bind it
self TO deduct 20 per cent in favor of
Cuba's products and manufactures from
the rates actually granted to the most
favored country in order that the con-
cession granted may be reciprocal and
equivalent and not illusory. In these
two methods OF deducting 20 per cent
there is a wide difference. which does
away with any true reciprocity in the
bill"