Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-23
TRADE WITH CUBA
England Making Strenuous
Efforts to Control It.
SIGNIFICANTCONDITION
STATISTICS SHOWING THE EX-
PORTS AND IMPORTS.
Considered of Importance by Leaders
in Congress-Negotia for an
Agreement on Reciprocity Bill.

| many are making strenuous efforts to cap
ture the Cuban trade will be brought to
the attention of Congress as further argu-
| ment for the speedy passage of the Cuban
reciprocity bill. AS the case stands the
| markets of Cuba are possessed by countries
other than the United States, and it is
claimed that nothing but preferential
tariff can overcome the natural trade condi-
tions, which have given European countries
their commercial foothold in Cuba.
Undoubtedly the United States possesses
diplomatic prestige in Cuba, but the for
eigners are raking in the bulk of the Cuban
dollars in exchange for commodities ship
ped to the island. Cuba sells TO the United
States and buys abroad. The reciprocity
bill would probably not increase her sales
to this country but would increase her pur-
chases from American manufacturers.
A Significant Condition of Affairs.
An analysis of the commercial relations
between Cuba and the United States for
the year 1901 shows significant condition
of affairs. Cuba's exports for that year
amounted to s63 27S,3s0 in value and $4S,-
OG6,579 worth came to the United States.
Cuba's imports aggregated s66.5s3,973, of
which amount only S2S,07S,633 came from
the United States. In other words, Cuba
found in this country a market for S4s.-
100000 worth of products, and we found in
Cuba a market for only S2S0OO0O0 worth
Of goods of own production.
England is at this time away ahead of
the United States in the markets of Cuba.
The anxiety of the British government to
get their minister to Havana first so that
he would be dean of the diplomatic corps
was not political. 1t is construed in Wash
ington to be but part of the plan of the
English strengthen their hold the
commerce of Cuba. The British trader has
ever followed close in the footsteps of the
diplomatic agent, and has kept in close
touch with him. Great Britain doubtless
raises objection to the United States
maintaining the sentimental. theoretical po-
litical supremacy in Cuba, without question,
interests Of the British exporter all the
time.
England's Proportion.
While, as shown above, we buy s2oy0o0.-
600 more from Cuba than we sell, with Eng
land the proportion is just the other way.
Last year she bought s5,961.27s worth Of
Cuban products and sold Cuba So $50, ,649
worth of goods. Our exports to Cuba, prin
cipally, are breadstufs and food. That is
merely because we raise more and can sell
cheaper than can other countries. With
manufactures the story is different, in re-
suits.
Last year we sold Cuba S1O3.614 worth of
cotton cloth; England sold her S669, 145
worth. Our sales of woven cotton goods
amounted to S21S 1913 and Engiand's to ST.
DAB, ,4S5. In cotton yarns and threads our
sales amounted to $1.772 and England's to
s190327; In tulles and laces our sales were
81 1914 and Engiand's S213,576
Take the item of sugar bags as an eX-
ample. We buy nearly every pound of
Cubas sugar, yet last year we only sold her
$50, 131 worth of bags to incase the sac
charine and England's sales of bags
LIMO, fl6 to IN
worth of rice from us and $2,199,341 worth
from England.
Statistics That Are Not Dry.
Statistics are sometimes dry, but these
statistics Of trade with Cuba, showing the
relative position of England and the Unit
ed States are not considered dry by con-
gressmen who are concerned for the Cuban
reciprocity bill. They have occasioned
considerable comment among senators and
representatives and are the subject of fire.
quent discussion.
favor of the United States amounting to
20 or 25 per cent would in itself work to
the advantage of the American exporters
to a notable degree. They think that in
addition a fr1endlier feeling would grow
up between the merchants of Cuba and
the United States in consequence of our
concessions to them and that the ad-
vantage which foreign countries now pos
transferred to the United States.
Negotiations for an Agreement.
Negotiations for an agreement Of repub-
licsn senators on the pending bill are in
progress, but the necessary majority in
favor Of any definite proposition has not
been obtained up to this time. The delay
Is not considered ominous, and the man.
ayers of the bill still are confident that an
agreement ultimately will be reached.
Senator Aldrich, who is a leading factor
in all republican conferences on legislation
of this character, wiN be out of the city
for few days, and in his absence 1t is not
thought that announcement will be made
of final agreement upon the terms of the
proposed reciprocity measure. 1t is said
that the opposition to the reciprocity bill
on the republican side is diminishing. and
that it does not now present nor threaten
to present serious form. At the same time
the senators whose concern appears to be
for the beet sugar industry have not alto
gether abandoned their hope of securing
more favorable terms than the House bill