The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1903-01-01
WASHINGTON LETTER.

WASf11NG ON LIE EN-.
Washington, December, 20, 1902.
The sanguine view of the Venezuelan
situation taken in my letter Of a week ago
proves, In the light of subsequent events,
to have been amply warrented. Not only
have ali the parties to the difficulty con-
sented to submit their differences to ar
bitratlon, but they have accepted the
suggestion OF the United States and will
employ the good offices of the Hague
tribunal. Numerous administrative de-
tails remain to be perfected and some
more important contentious on the part
of the powers await final settlement, but
1t is known that Secretary Hay has al
read begun work on the preliminary pro-
tocol which, when signed, will confide to
the Hague the arbitrament of the many
elaine and differences. There was time
during the past week, when 1t was feared
that the president would be compelled to
accept the onerous task of arbitrating the
case, such being the wishes Of the al
lies, but Secretary Hay with great diplo-
macy succeeded In making 1t clear that 1t
would be an imposition to ask the presi-
dent to perform SO difficult and thankless
an Undertaking, and emphasized the wis
dom of following the example OF this
country In the plus fund, and honoring
the international tribunal which all the
powers Involved had established for emer-
gencies similar to the present.
Second In Importance to the satisfac-
tory progress of the Venezuelan Degotia-
tions, has been the publication of the
terms of the Cuban treaty negotiated in
HAVANA by General Tasker H. Bliss,
acting under the instructions of Secretary
Hay. The general trend of the treaty
was outlined In these letters soine weeks
ago, but now absolute facts can be stated
The reduction from prevailing tariff rates
provided Is 20 per cent on all goods not
on the free list at the present time, but In
addition, the United States receives q
large number of special discounts which,
In the judgment of the administration,
will secure to the manufacturers and pro-
ducers of this country an absolute mo-
nopoly of the Cuban trade. So far as 1t
has been possible to ascertain, members
Of the congress are we'll pleased with the
treaty which they regard as triumph for
American diplomacy. Several have pre-
dicted that the convention will be prompt
ly ratified. The president has skillfuIly
forestalled the iminent discussion as to
the respective prerogatives of the senate
and the house by announcing that II the
senate ratified the treaty without refer
ence to the house he would Immediately
send message to congress asking for
enabling legislation.
Under the provisions of the treaty, Gu
ban products entering the United States
will do so at a uniform discount of 90 per
cent from the Dingley rates, and pro-
ducts of the United States entering Cuba
will receive a concession of 30 per cent
from the lowest Cuban tariff assessed on
similar goods from other countries ex-
cept when otherwise provided, the ex-
ceptions being instances where special
discounts of 25, 30 ard 40 per cent are al
lowed. 1t is worthy of note that, even
with the 20 per cent discount, the pro.
ducers of beet sugar will still enjoy pro-
lection of II cents per pound against Gu
ban competition. Agricultural products
receive special consideration, to wit, 30
per cent discount on butter, raw cotton
and wool, 40 per cent on rice, etc. Manu-
factured cotton and woolen goods receive
a discount Of 40 per cent, while manufac-
turers of iron and steel and the raw ma
terial receive discounts of 25 per cent,
and silk goods, watches, umbrellas, etc..
receive a discount of 40 Per cent.
The SO called "open door policy" 10
the Philippines is occasioning much per-
plexity In the war department and the
senate committee on Philippines. Great
Britain and Germany have protested
against what they claim is a failure on
the part of this country to maintain that
policy. Ia evidence of such failure they
cite the case of Manila hemp and fibre on
which the Philippine commission, with
sanction of congress, has imposed an ex-
port duty of 81 so per ton, which duty,
however, Is remttted when the product is
shipped to the United States. Senator
Lodge Of the Philippine committee has
always argued that the open door policy
must stand, and for that reason no ad-
vantage could be afforded the United
States on goods shipped into the Philip.
pines, but it now looks as though that
position was about to be abandoned.
The administration holds that as pos
session Of the United States the Philip.
pines cannot be bound by the policy, but
must be regarded In the light of colonies,
to which foreign nations have no greater
right to expect equal import and export
duties in importing from or exporting to
the British colonies, for instance. 1t is
said that while the peace commission
made some pledges In regard to such q
policy, 1t was because the commission
did not foresee that the islands were to
become an actual possession Of the Unit.
ad Stafas hut contaminated a0ma form nj