The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1902-11-21
FOREIGN INFLUENCE IN CUBA
WORKING no PREVENT RECI-
PRO(ITY WITH Us.
The Cuban Authorities Told That Europe
VIII Take the sugar Crop and Large
Part, Of Other Cuban Products With.
out Asking Any Concessions From Cuba.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 20-The Admins
tration is very much displeased over knowl-
edge that has come to il from trustworthy
sources that foreign influences are at work
in Havana to persuade the Cuban Govern
ment from negotiating a reciprocity treaty
with the United States. II has been repre-
sented TO the Cuban authorities. according
to information received here. that recip-
rocal tarff arrangement with this country
Is not necessary TO secure a market for
Cuban sugar. as Europe will take the entire
export sugar crop and large part of all
other Cuban products without asking any
return from the island. 1t is said that some
Of the foreign representatives in Havana
are coverty working against the interest
of the United States and that the opposi-
ton that has developed among the Cubans
TO concluding a reciprocity treaty with
this Government is largely due TO these in
fueuces
The Administration is also aware that
a propaganda with the same object in view
is being carried on from Washington
Pamphlets prepared here cont aiming argi-
ments against reciprocity between the
two countries and representing President
Roosevelt a. not being sincere in his dec
larations of friendship for Cuba, have been
sent 10 officials and newspapers in the
island, and have apparently had consd-
cradle influence in fostering the growing
feeling in opposition to establishing closer
trade relations with the United State,.
Copies of Cuban newspapers have been
received in Washington containing car
toons and editorials representing Prcs-
dent Roosevelt as anything but ursclhsh
in the reciprocity negotiations. The Ac'
Ininist ration asserts that II il being mis- rep
resent al and is using every effort 10 maize
the Cuban authorities understand that
this il 80.
There j. great deal Of talk in Admins
tratiou circles about ingratitude on the
part of Cuba. and some of the less conserva-
live officials are Of the opinion that this
Government should make President Palma
and his advisers understand that the OH
legation due the United States must lc
carried out. The Administration is very
hopeful however, that the mission of Gen.
Tasker II. Bliss to Havana will be very
successful, and that after he has made his
explanations To the Cuban authorities they
will understand that the reciprocal arrange
Inent as proposed by the American Gov
eminent will be of decided benefit 20 tho
island and will increase instead of dtCIeasa
the insular revenues.
One of the main difficulties with which
this Government has to contend in making
q commercial agreement with Cuba Is that
the Cubans. like all other Latin peoples,
prefer articles Of European manufacture
to those from the United States. They
have also been told by those who are work.
ing TO defeat a reciprocal arrangement
with this country that most of their prod.
ucts will be admitted free Of duty, or at
very low rate of duty. into European
countries, and that, if the rebate il not
given the United States. European goods
can be sold in Cuba at much lower prices
than would be the case If the proposal of
this Government to increase the present
rates Of duties on all goods except those from
this country were agreed TO. These argu-
ments are believed to have impressed the
Cuban authorities strongly, and Gen Bliss
will have a very hard task before him to
persuade the insular representatives with
whom he will deal that in addition to being
under obligations TO grant trade advantages
10 the United States, they will derive benefit
instead Of being placed at a disadvantage
in making treaty with this Government
along the lines of the tentative arrange
ment sent to Havana several months ago.