Middletown transcript., 1903-01-03
WASHINGTON LETTER.

| Vno skill anu ulplOmacy WIFI WuiCu I'll
allies haye been brought, first to a
acceptance of arbitration as settlemen
of their difficulties with Venezuela, an
then to the acceptance of the Hagu
Tribunal as the arbitrator, constitute al
even greater triumph for the Presiden
and his Secretary of State. The Monro
Doctrine has been not only maintaine'
but strengthened. Venezuela is about t,
be saved from further hardship and vii
be insured just settlement of the claim
against her and all possibility of friction
between the United States and either o.
both of the interested powers has beer
averted. Once persuaded that arbitra
tion was the proper course, the allie'
doubtless largely inspired by persona
admiration for the President, insisted
that he must act as arbitrator, course tc
which there were many objections. Al
no time did Mr.. Roosevelt positively re-
fuse to go act, but he intrusted to the
skillful diplomacy of Secretary Hay the
task of making the powers see that the
present situation offered most advant.
ageous opportunity of demonstrating
their confidence in the tribunal which
they had themselves sanctioned and that
the imposition of so onerous task on the
President was akin to taking advantage
of good nature. That Mr.. Hay has been
eminently successful in this delicate
undertaking is proven by the announced
willingness of the powers and of Vene-
zuela to submit all matters in dispute to
the Hague.
~
Another and distinct triumph for the
President and the Secretary of State is to
be found in the terms of the Cuban
treaty which have been made public this
week. In return for uniform conces-
sion of 20 per cent. from the Dingley
tariff rates allowed ON Cuban goods, the
United States secures the same discount
on all goods entering Cuba, and in num-
erous instances, much greater conces-
sions, the highest being 10 per cent. on
such goods as manufactured woolens and
cottons, rice, watches, umbrellas, etc.
30 extensive are these special discounts
that it is freely admitted they will afford
this country an absolute monopoly of
The Cuban trade. Even with the 20 per
cent. off the sugar schedule, the producers
Of sugar in this country will enjoy pro-
lection amounting to one and one-third
cents per pound against Cuban competi-
ion, and as most of the sugar growers are
producers of other agricultural commodi-
les, they will be more than compensated |
or any slight loss on sugar by the ad-
'antages gained in other lines. The
'fhcers of the administration express
confidence that the treaty will meet with
he prompt approval of the members of
congress, and that it will be ratified
within the stipulated period, the month
t January.
~
In the midst of the anxiety occasioned /
y the Venezuelan situation, Germany
nd Great Britain have filed protests with
he State Department against what they
erm violation of the open door policy
a the administration of the Philippine
ariff. 1t seems that with the consent
Congress, the Philippine Commission
imposed an export tariff of $3.50 per ton
n Manila hemp and fiber, but that this
uty is rebated when the goods are ship
ed to the United States. This course
as seriously affected English manufact-
rers of twine and rope who are no
niger able to obtain the raw material at
ne prices to which they have been ac-
lstomed. Secretary Hay, in view of
le fact that Philippine affairs are still .
nder the jurisdiction of the War Depart. ,
lent, referred the protest to Secretary ;
DOT, and he in turn has sent it to the
hilippine Committee of the Senate. 1t
generally held, however, that the pro-
st is not well grounded. No advantage :,
as been taken for exports from the
nited States to the Philippines, all J
atoms enjoying the same advantages as :
yes this country. 1t is not possible, it
claimed, to maintain the open door
'licy to the same limit as it is done in
nina for instance, for the reason that
nina is an Independent nation, whereas q
Q Philippines are possession of the e
nited States and stand before the world z
ore in the light of colonies. 1t is pro-
rbial that nations seek for themselves =,
9 utmost advantage in their colonies, a.
d the authorities say that the United T
ates has been exceptionally liberal in q
administration Of Philippine affairs. 7,
~ IN
Shaw said to-day that be did .. ..
| LII ,xo,,lJ ~ 4 1 &c