The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-11-02
CUBAN TRADE NEEDED
BY THE SOUTH
Should the Bill Become Law it Will
Enable Cotton Mills Of the South
To Furnish Their Product
to the People of the
Island.
Bv Jos: Oil,

4 dis ,usaion of the probable action of
congress at the extra session. which
has been called to consider Cuban reci-
procity legislation, there are many opin-
ions expressed and not a few questions
asked concerning the attitude which the
southern senators and representatives
may he expected to occupy.
1t seems to be a general consensus
of opinion that whether there is prompt
action at the extra session or whether
the Cuban legislation is to bring a gen
eral tariff debate which may delay ac-
ton until the regular session, depends
largely. if not almost entirely, upon the
attitude of the southern democratic
leaders.
In just what shape this Cuban ques-
ton will be brought before congress is
not yet exactly clear. One plan which
has been suggested is the passage of a
Joint resolution ratifying, in as few words
as possible the Cuban reciprocity treaty.
It is argued in favor of this plan that
# would operate 10 prevent the submis-
sion of amendments which would be ger
name to any bill in which the tariff
schedules were set forth in detail. and
for this reason this plan is regarded
tho most desirable, it being the aim OF
the republican leaders to prevent If pos
sible general tariff discussion. good
many of them, however doubt whether
II Is possible to accomplish the desired
legislative result by means OF JOINT
resolution. but think that the thing con-
gress must do is to pass a bill embody-
ing the full schedules of the Cuban reel
procty treaty. That. they fear. would
open the way TO the submission of amend
ments and to general tariff discussions.
Fear Tariff Issue Most.
From a political standpoint, the repuo-
lican leaders are anxious to prevent
tariff debate for they fear the tariff
issue more than any other In the cam
paign for the presidency. They arc not
a little worried over the tariff reform sen
tmcnt they find not only III Iowa ana
Wisconsin and other western states, but
which is just now cutting so prominent
a figure in the campaign In Massachu-
sets: and they would like very much to
avoid being put on record by being com
PEELED to vote upon such amendments TO
the tariff schedules as would show them
standing by the trusts. They fear that
the democratic leaders will submit such
amendments and advocate them in way
that will embarrass the administration
They have no fear of their ability to
Jam through the house any legislation
they may desire, for their committee on
rules can always pave the way for this.
They may bring in n rule Of tho double
back action variety. invented at the last
session. under which the democrats viii
10 shut off from amendments whether
they vote for the rule or vote against it.
But in the senate il Is different The in
diVidual members or that body stil have
rights.
II is possible the democratic leaders may
determine that it viii better, poli-
tics 10 let the Cuban bill go through with
out much discussion and save their tariff
ammunition for the regular session. With
the exception Of the senator's from Lou
lsiana and Florida. most of the democrats
are IN favor Of the Cuban treat as it now
stands At the short session OF the sen
ate they were instrumental in securing
certain amendments to the original draft
under which the interests OF certain
southern Industries We're better looked
after than in the original treaty. then
most Of them voted for ratification: and
1t Is TO be presumed that when tho time
comes most of them Will vote for Tho
legislation necessary TO make this treaty
effective, unless there should be some
particular objection TO the form OF that
legislation.
southern Cotton Mills Interested.
q good deal Of quiet work in behalf O,
cuban reciprocity has been done h,. tho
representatives Of the cotton spinning in
terests of the south The enactment Of
the legislation making effective the new
Cuban schedules will, il is believed omen
to the cotton goods manufacturers of the
south a market which will mean to them
the sale OF something like from six TO ten
millions dollars of their products am
nually
AS things stand, American cotton goods
cuts a very small figure tn the Cuban
imports. England and Germany have q
decided lead over the United States In
this field which should belong exclusive
" to American manufacturers Formerly
Spain controlled the Cuban market Eng
fish cotton goods were shipped to Spain.
and from there the Cuban market was
supplied. The latest figures show that
Great Britain has absorbed more of the
trade with Cuba which Spain formerly
monopolized than any other country; but
even Spain is ahead Of the United States
at this time in exports TO Cuba of some
grades of cotton goods particularly those
made BY the southern mills.
The last bulletin OF the bureau OF sta
tistics on Cuba contained this statement:
IN 1901 the exports from nc United
states To tuod Pl Nptepl4 isNNN'' ffiiAVNiA''e'
TO only per cent OF the total goods i'm
portations OF Cuba. while Great Britains
share was So per cent
Going further into detail, the bulletin
stated that the imports Of manufactured
cotton into Cuba In 1902 Of plain fabrics
were s2l 2oe7 and from Great Britain
81 .e54 e64 while Spain stood second TO
Great Britain with $500. 43l. In twilled
goods the value of the imports from the
United States was S82, 7i3, and from
Great Britain s47o a73 In knit fabrics
the trade with the United States was
valued at l7,456. with Spain S3l2,o 9
and France S. 80. 1927.