The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-11-13
Unwilling to Negotiate n Reciprocity
Treaty That Does Not Provide
Greater Concessions.
PRESIDENT PALMhs VIEWS
ALSO STATEMENT BY a HIGH OFF,.
CIAL st THE CAPITAL.
Resignation of Minister w. Godfrey
Hunter-Prospective Promotions
I'm the Army.

WASHINGTON, Nov. IAN important
conference bearing on the subject of the
Cuban reciprocity treaty was held at the
War Department to-day, the participants
being Secretary Hay. Secretary Root and
General Tasker Bliss. The latter was
called in TO the conference at Secretary
Hays suggestion because of his expert
knowledge Of the existing Cuban tariff.
Before the conference at the War Deprt-
ment Secretary Hay had talked on this
subject with Senator Cullom, chairman OF
the Senate committee on foreign relations,
and also with Senor Quesada, the Cuban
minister here. Senior Quesada was not able
to submit 10 Secretary Hay the draft Of
the reciprocity treaty which has been un-
der consideration so long by the authorities
at Havana, as the document had not left
that place. So, officially, the United States
government continues I'm ignorance OF the
extent and character of the changes, IL any,
which President Palma may desire to make
in the treaty.
Other than official sources. however, have
developed pretty clearly the disposition
of the Cuban President i'm this matter The
cardinal objection of President Palma to
the treaty as IL stands Is the insufficient re-
bate Of 20 per cent. proposed to be al
lowed on Cuban imports into the United
States and Secretary Hays purpose is to
ascertain, IL possible. how far he can yield
in that matter and still be able to rely on
the support of Congress next session when
the treaty is submitted. SO far, his advices
do not favor any increase of the rebates.
and, indeed. he has beeh assured by some
persons with whom he has talked, that
under no conditions would Congress con-
sent to any substantial increase OF this
rebate.
REBATE TOO SMALL.
1t is understood that the Cubans, too, are
entirely unwilling to accept any small in
crease. In the face of a great shortage In
the European crop and rapidly rising
market, they have acquired confidence in
their ability TO get along for an indefinite
period of time without reciprocity with the
United States and so il is understood that
they are showing an indifference in the
prosecution of the treaty negotiations which
is serving in turn to stimulate the ef-
forts of our own negotiators. President
Palma makes the point that conditions
have changed in Cuba that whereas the
20 per cent. rebate might have served when
it was first proposed. it would at present
afford so little relief not TO warrant
the sacrifice of Cuban revenues that would
be involved in its acceptance Secretary Hay
has determined TO clear up that point and
10 that end, after talking with Secretary
Root to-day. il was decided that General
Bliss should be sent at once TO Cuba to
make an investigation OF the industrial sit
uation and the fiscal possibilities OF the
island. So IL is improbable that pending his
return from his Cuban visit the State De-
partment can advance the treaty negotia-
tions in any way.
A high official OF the government. who
is well informed regarding our relations
with Cuba, in discussing the proposed
treaty to-day, said: THE principal mission
of General Bliss will be TO clear up the
minds of the Cubans to apprehensions
which they have regarding the effect OF
the concession offered by the United States
and the various concessions which the
United States demands from Cuba. IL
seems apparent that the situation is not
understood in Cuba and the negotiation
halts that account. There is no dispo-
siton to offer a greater concession TO Cuba
than 20 per cent, which will include all
products of the island. while the conces-
sions demanded vary from 10 TO 20 per cent.
This is explained by the fact that the con-
cessions must be considered not much
upon percentages upon existing tariffs
The tariff of the United States all ar
ticles produced in Cuba is so high that a
2G per cent. reduction will mean much 10
the island. This relates especially to sugar
and tobacco.
AN EXAMPLE.
"A Single Is gwen. Inc pres
ent duty on sugar is about 100 per cent:
a reduction OF 20 per cent. will give a re-
bate to Cuba of $40 in every 500 worth OF
sugar sent to this country. On the other
hand. the duty imposed by Cuba on cotton
manufactured goods is about 30 ID per
cent and the United States manufacturer
shipping cotton goods to Cuba under like
20 per cent. rebate would secure ad-
vantage of only about ss.6s 2-3 on each 500
worth of goods To equalize this difference
1t was found necessary To fix the rate OF
I concession on cotton goods going from the
United States into Cuba at 90 per cent IL
is thought here that the Cubars have not
considered the matter from this point OF
view and that IL will be necessary TO in
form them OF the basis Of the demands OF
/ the United States.
.'It is possible that demands OF this coun-
try may be modified slightly on an investi-
cation of trade conditions In Cuba. the
first draft of the treaty was the basis of
agreement. IL Is not likely. however. that
any greater concession will be offered Cuba
as IL is held that the high rate OF duty on
sugar and tobacco will, with 20 per cent.
4 reduction. enable the Cubans TO either un-
dersell all other foreigners or secure great
er profits on their products than people OF
other nations.
'sThe reciprocity treaty is likely 10 be a
separate document from any general treaty
provided for under the Platt amendment.
IL makes no difference whether or not
treaty is negotiated with Cuba save on
the subject OF the Isle OF Pines. The Platt
amendment being a part OF our law and
part of the Cuban Constitution. II is held
that IL operates as a binding proposit tion
even II the provisions of the amendment are
not embodied in a treaty. The United States
will secure the coaling stations and Cuba
is bound To carry out the provisions OF her
own Constitution. That the embodiment OF
the terms OF the Platt amendment I'm Q
| treaty would be well n Il not denied, but
! s-ca action is not necessary save 10 e>-