The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-27
CUBAN RECIPROCITY.

The text of the treaty negotiated by
Col. Bliss at Havana gives on Cuban
products imported into the United States
preferential rates one-fifth less than
those CT the Dinglcy schedules On
American products entering Cuba prefer
90 %, 80 and do per cent on different
classes of goods is given. This reciprocity
is to last five years, and thereafter until
one Republic gives notice of desire TO
terminate it.
The news from Washington indicates
that another fight is probable. While
the Senate alone ratifies the treaty, it
does not go into effect until it has been
approved by Congress-" 1t differs little
from the tariff reduction on Cuban sugar
that died in the Senate at the last ses-
sion of Congress. That bill was allowed
to- die in the Senate because the sugar
trust was not willing to give up it's bonus,
and because the beet sugar people de-
nanded their protection even unto the
pound of flesh nearest the heart
viii the beet sugar men quit fighting,
accepting the measure they helped to
strangle early in the year? 1t would
still leave them a protection of one and
a third cents a pound on their sugar
the risk of losing more by reason of the
agitation in favor of "our plain duty?"
The National Association of Beet Grow
ers will meet in Washington on the Sth
of January to determine the action of the
beet sugar Senator's. 1t is well under
stood that there are enough Republican
the Beet Growers Association to de-
termine the fate OF the treaty. If Mr.
Roosevelt and his advisers can persuade
the beet growers to accept this moderate
reduction, in the fear of a still greater
reduction through their stubbornness,-
if that plan succeeds, the treaty will be
ratified and the Republicans in Congress
will get together and make the small
concession. If the Beet Growers Asso-
citation decides to "stand pat" and to op-
pose any reduction in the Cuban rate.
then we may be in for another war in
Congress. Senator Burrows Of Michigan.
the leader of the beet sugar Republicans,
in an interview published in the New
York Times last night, frankly intimates
that everything depends upon the beet
growers. His concluding remarks would
indicate that he does not expect to see
tariff reduction, for he says:
ut is not to be assumed that a treaty
would be ratified providing for the easier
entry of certain American manufactures
into Cuba at the sole expense of another
industry of this country. This is not the
reciprocity contemplated in the Republi-
can National platform.
''If we enter upon such policy of reel
procity as that we inaugurate war
among American industries which will be
the beginning of the end of the American
protective system.
"Of course Democrats will diligently aid
in involving the Republican party in such
an internecine economic struggle. How
ever that question will be gone over in
the hearings for I've no doubt the threat
eued American industries will be given
a hearing and an opportunity TO present
their claims and defense
"At least the sugar beets of the West
may expect as much consideration as was
given the Goldfish of Massachusetts,, and in
the preparation Of the Newfoundland reci-
procity treaty recently laid before the
Senate the Goldfish industry had it's day
in court