The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-04-01
urnns of advertising.
THE 20 PER CENT CONCESSION

The action of the house ways and
means committee yesterday, voting, IL to
IS. to report favorably the bill making a
20 per cent reduction Of regular tariff
duties on Cuban sugar and tobacco, with
short time limit, marks the ultimate
measure of liberality entertained by the
majority of the commit ee and, even then,
two republicans voted against the bill
In presenting the report. of the COM
mittee to the house, Chairman Payne set
forth the critical condition Of the plant
ing interest in Cuba, which threatens the
most serious consequences, and the re-
port commended the meager concession as
not being at all Injurious to our indus
tries, as it does not abate the ample pro-
lection that they receive, while the sugar
planters of Cuba will be benefited and not
the sugar trust, and the Cuban trade
growing out of the adoption of the meas
ure OF concession will be an ample EQUIV
alent for what We do for the island. The
report felicitates the country upon the
TACT that this concession can be given
without any injury to our own indus
tries and without the loss of anything ex-
cept 100000 to ss,OOO,OOo of revenue
which We do not need"
This Is all very interesting and true
enough, but there is not overwhelming
generosity in taking off I'd per cent only
from the aggregate protection of the beet
sugar interest Of 81 per cent. which is
manifestly, like the duties found in some
ouner schedules, far too high for any
legitimate purpose of protection. The COM
mlttee report that, as we are about to
send our ward into the world, we cannot
lake the risk Of her failure if a little
timely aid will insure success, The fact
Is that, by the Plat amendment. we hind
cuba by SO many limitations that our
felatlon to the island is that embodied in
protectorate and as the Cubans con-
sented to embody the Plat amendment in
lnelr organic law with the understanding
mat they would receive an equivalent in
privileges accorded in our market thav
cannot De blamed for disappointment over
the meager advantage so far accorded by
the house committee.
1t Is to be regretted that the commit
tee did not, weeks ago, discover that the
proposed concession would not iniure anv
American protected industry and that
reciprocity and protection have been de-
ciared IN the platform Of the republican
party to be twin measures of republican-
ism and go hand in hand" While thew
were discovering these facts and oppos-
lug reciprocity on the ground that Il
ineant fracture and breach in the
'arih wall, the condition of affairs in
CUBA was becoming more critical every
Gay. The distress of the planting ;nter-
est affects injuriously all mercantile
business. The selling price of sugar ts
nearly 20 per cent below the cost Of Dro-
uuctlon' this country is Cuba's only mar
net LOT her sugar, and it is the market of
oo per cent Of her tobacco, AS Cuha 10
our ward. as the house committee saws
anu as she Will be under United States
prolectorate after May 20, when the ma
tive government elected in Decen,bor lost
WIZ pe 1naugurated and the major por
lion Oh our troops will depart, the oblisa-
.ion VI our government to promote the
substantial interests of the Cubans 70.
iuains' and 1t will be in order, if the house
OH IS put through under special rnle ox
Guiding debate and amendment Yon -
appear IN an amended form, when II
comes out OF the senate and conference
cohiinlttee, more in consonance with onr
pieuses' and more in accordance wit h the
duties OF the protectorate which orr eo,,
lninent mas assumed through the bind
ing force of the Platt amendment