New-York tribune., 1903-01-05
SELECTIONS FROM MAIL.
THE CUBAN RECIPROCITY TREATY.

To the Editor of the Tribune
Sir: l chanced to see published by The Tribune.
copy of the treaty which has been signed in Eng
lish and Spanish by President Palma and other
officials of the Republic of Cuba and General Bliss.
the special representative Of President Roosevelt
This treaty Of reciprocity is subject ratification
by the appropriate authorities of both countries
may be before January 81 current, and
it is provided that It shall go into effect in ten
days after such ratification, and shall continue
for FIVE years thereafter until the expiration OF
one year from the date of notice by either party
of intention TO terminate the treaty
Briefly stated, its terms that articles now
the free lists of either country shall so continue
that there shall be uniform reduction OF DUTY
articles produced in the United States when i'm
ported into Cuba of 20 per cent; that such dutaoe
goods the products of Cuba, not later eIuIr-
Grated when imported into the United States shall
be admitted at a reduction of 20 per cent con-
siderable list Of articles. machinery Steel iron,
cotton spirits fish etc, will have the beneht OF
25 per cent reduction another schedule-outter,
chemicals, colors glass, boats, etc-S0 per cent
another Hst-manufactures of cotton, cheese, pre-
served fruits paper pottery. perfumery, etc-Wiil
be subject TO 40 per cent reduction There VIII De
no reduction of duty upon tobacco Of the United
States or it's insular possessions when imported
into Cuba
Having by these extracts given a fair idea OF the
treaty. which has the approval Of the President
of Cuba, 1 will add few comments upon the SIT
uation.
During several months spent last winter IN Cupa,
realized the earnest desire of the people there
under the military control of the United States
for such aTnicable and close relations with our
country would be demonstrated by a treaty of
reciprocity that would give to them opportunities
for larger use of American articles and also give
them some advantage in the sale of their prodnets
in the United States, especially as their leading
product, sugar. by the unnatural competition
of the beet sugar of Europe only salable at con-
siderable loss. duty of 1-ss cents being larger
price realized by the planters for the sugar
in bags.
There was great distress and alarm throughout
the island possible results of disaster incident
to the poor crops when their hopes of a treaty to
be accomplished last winter crushed. The
people Of Cubu feel. and rightly, that they had
the pledge of President Mckinley that TINS rs al a
know that he intended and expected and an -. 1t
United States at large desire that such recogni.
ton Of Cuba as favored nation shall be given?
Cuba with freedom, setting her adrift With
eT Provisions @ ana Taf as led 1t he new repube
thus far against all their difficulties and now tneK &
surely not refuse or neglect to do SO.
Granted that the reciprocity which oy 9d makes 5es
price of our domestic sugar particle while any
eTeTTtng {o Guba in Sc increased price for
her raw sugar-sOoOoo tons The benefit is well dis
sugar mill has farming fsTet sbogt Of il the where here
pe @ @ and as they are paid IN sugar or its value
about half the product Of sugar from their cane
now submitted has unequal advantages for Amer
leans large vaTiety OF our 1oib e VII a
duetion 10 Cuban imports into our country.
termx oua but rfhf e E6e saa one sGbsd WIN Be
able to the Cunans we should pass it IN default OF
to large commerce with Cuba, and the United TED
the most III favored nation her best market
friend l therefore strongly urge the justice Que
Congress to ratify the treaty which noT awaits
Pne+o1 Ian 9 1902