The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1902-01-28
We MAY SECURE ALL
OF THE CUBAN TRADE
This BY a Readjustment of
the Tariff,
AND COL. BLISS EXPLAINS
Majority of the Cubans Would We'll
come Annexation.
AND COL. BLISS EXPLAINS
READY TO ACCEPT ANY CONDITIONS
Colonel Bliss Of the Opinion T1at Commercial
Union Would Delay POLITICAL Union.
Sugar Industry of the Island
Greatly 0enressed.
Greatly Depressed.
(By the Associated Press.)

Washington, D. G., Jan. 25-Col. Tas-
ker Bliss. the United States army off
Ger detailed as collector of customs at
Havana was before the Ways and Means
! Committee today concerning Cuban re-
ciprocity. In opening his statement he
disclaimed authority as a sugar exert
and said his knowledge was confined to
that of an observer for three years in an
official position dealing with the trade
of Cuba. This had led him to hope that
if there was any change in the tariff 1t
would be such an adjustment as would
throw into the hands of the United
States the large amount of Cuban trade
now taken by foreign countries.
| Speaking first of the condition of the
| Cuban sugar industry, he said it was
greatly depressed, with leading Havana
banks refusing further credits to
the planters, and when this occurred it
was a sure evidence of the distress on
the plantations. He roughly estimated
the sugar industry of the island at $500
600, 900 and said about three-fourths of
the people We're independent in one way
or another on the sugar industry.
Chairman Payne asked Col. Bliss to
| specify what advantages the United
States could gain from Cuba and Mr..
Payne also called attention to the low
tariff rate Cuba imposed against the
United States.
Col. Bliss said the average ad valorem
rate was about p per cent, and he pre-
Sented tables designed to show how a tar
if REIMBURSEMENT could throw practically
all the Cuban trade into the hands of
American producers. At present, he said,
Cuba bought $66, 40, 600 and the balance
of about $37, 600, 900 came from foreign
countries. On many articles, such as
fresh beef. railroad iron and other speci-
fled articles. the United States had a
practical monopoly of the trade. But on
many other articles, totallinG about $45,-
600, 600 the United States had but $10,-
600. 0G0 of the trade.
BY a reasonable modification of the
Cuban tariff said Col. Bliss, at least
Sc per cent. of the trade can be thrown
to the United States"
He submitted a list of articles on which
a differential of about SO per cent. fav-
orable to the United States as against
other foreign countries would give us the
trade. II reporting on his to the War
Department, the condition had been i'm
posed upon him not to reduce the reye-
nucS Of Cuba Under such circumstan-
ces, he thought it would be necessary
first to raise Cuba's tariff rates, for pur-
poses of revenue and then readjust them
with a sufficient differentiaI to give the
United States control of the trade. This
he put Onward only tentatively as one
of several plans proposed to the War
Department.
The members Of the committee ques-
toned Col. Bliss on the details of the
proposed readjustment. In the course Of
the examination Representative New
lands, of Nevada, suggested that with
out our political control of Cuba there
might be scrvile labor to compete with
American labor. He added:
Are the Cuban people prepared 10
come into political relations with the
United States"
81 think a great majority of tho Gu
bans are ready to come in Col. Bliss
replied.
"As a Territory or a State?' asked Mr..
Newlands.
They would be glad to come in as a
State, or a Territory, or under the mill
tary authority-almost any way in order
to come under the authority of the Unit
ed States
IF invited to come in first as a Ter
ritory, then as a State, would this be
accepted"
q think it Oul
Continuing on this topic, Col. Bliss said
he thought commercial union with Cuba
would postpone political union. Per
sonally he was not convinced of the wis
dom of annexation. The feeling in Cuba
was one of readiness to acce,t any con
ditiOns the United States might impose.
Louis Place and Mr.. Mendoza, OF the