New-York tribune., 1902-12-20
CUBAN RECIPROCITY.
TERMS OF THE TREATY.
Concessions More Liberal Than
Heretofore Reported.

Washington Dec. 19.-The friends of the reel
,rocity treaty recently negotiated between the
TTrited States and Cuba have been assured by
members Of the Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations that the treaty will be taken up by
that committee soon practicable after the
Christmas holidays. There were several confer
ences on the subject at the Capitol to-day which
resulted in this understanding. The terms of
the treaty require that it shall be ratified before
January 81, and its supporters appreciate the
necessity for expedition in getting it out of the
committee in order to avoid the necessity for an
extension Of time.
The treaty makes more liberal provision for the
,rnportation OF American articles into the Re-
public of Cuba than has been stated heretofore
there being provision for reductions in some
cases Of much as 40 per cent, in others OF so
per cent and IN still others Of 25 per cent. On
all American grown or American made articles
except tobacco imported into Cuba and not
specified in the %, 80 and 40 per cent classes,
there IS 10 be uniform tariff reduction of 20 per
cent. In return, the United States agrees to a
uniform reduction of % per cent without excep-
ton on all importations from Cuba. The new
island republic does not agree to any reduction
OF tobacco grown in the United States in the
territory of any of its possessions. and imported
into Cuba
The products of the United States which are
to be admitted into Cuba at a reduction of %
per cent from the rates Of the existing Cuban
tariff include pottery, salt fish, copper made ma
chinery. cast and wrought iron and steel, and
articles manufactured from them: glass, cotton
and some cotton goods; ships and boats whiskey
and brandy. The 80 per cent reduction includes
cutlery, shoes, plated ware, drawings, photo
graphs, engravings, etc: materials used in MAX
ing labels and bands for tobacco, common soaps
preserved vegetables, butter, drugs, bottled beer
etc; mineral waters, articles made of hemp and
kindred fhres: musical instruments and writing
and printing papers. The list OF American i'm
portations into Cuba on which 40 per cent re-
duction is made includes watches. umbrellas.
knit cottons. preserved fruits. perfumery and
woolen and silk goods.
There is specific declaration to the effect
that the rates fixed for each of the two
tries by the other shall be preferential OF each
party TO the convention as against all other
countries There also is q. provision against a
discriminating tax on the articles affected in
the country Of their origin In case either coun-
Try changes its tariff rates to deprive the
other of the advantages granted, the other coun-
try is 10 have the privilege Of abrogating the
treaty No specific provision is made for a sub
seauent reduction of the Cuban duty as to let
American goods in at lower rates by the regu-
Jar methods of legislation rather than by treaty,
but there is q clause under which, if this re-
duction is made. the Cuban government may re-
open negotiations TO secure modification of
the treaty. 1t provides for such a change only
in case the Cuban tariff should be SO reduced as
TO make the reduction unreasonable from the
Cuban point OF view
The treaty is to 20 into effect ten days after
ratification by the authorities Of both countries.