New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-22
DATE FOR RECIPROCITY.
IMPORTERS INTERESTED.
Cuban Treaty Takes Effect at 1901
a. m. December q.
rFeon - rr1nrNr nrrrAr.l

Washington. Dec 21--At 1901 O'Clock on the
morning OF December -, 1903 the Cuban Reel
procity Treaty VIII become operative. Secretary
Shaw to-day issued a circular TO that effect 10
United States customs officers. Considerable diff
ference Of opinion has existed regarding the ex-
act time for the treaty 10 become effective. but
the Attorney General construed the announce
Tnent Of the President that it would be opera
tive on the tenth day following his proclama-
ton TO mean at the beginning Of December %.
and the order was thus promulgated
Importers are manifesting the deepest interest
n the Interpretation 10 be placed on the law
By the Treasury Department for its decision
n regard 10 merchandise remaining in bond on
which the duty has been paid viii mean the
saving or loss OF large amounts 10 the importing
interests OF this country. The Treasury Depart
z. snt holds now as II held previously, that when
gobds are imported and the duty has been paid,
that closes the transaction so far as the govern
Tnent is concerned Although these goods may
have been placed in government warehouses and
held there subject 10 withdrawal at the owners
pleasure they are no longer considered in Gus
toms custody" and the tariff IN force at the time
OF their importation prescribes the duties TO be
collected Under this Interpretation importers
are not entitled TO rebate on goods heretofore
imported, and viii derive no benefit from the re-
ouction In the schedules on inportations reach
ing American ports before December 81.
Under the act changing the war revenue tax
o. tea which went into effect January !, 1903
Il VIII be recalled that importers having vast
quantities Of tea in bond on which the duty had
been paid eontended that the government should
refund 10 them the difference They held that
the importation was not complete until the
Gctual withdrawal Of the goods had been made
anc that as government custody continued until
I.1t was cone. they were entitled 10 repayment
II was then pointed out that the Customs Ad-
lnlDlstrariVe act Of June 10. 1890 as amended
ca June y, 1902. authorized withdrawal for con-
sumption within three years from the date Of
charges 10 which il may be subject by law at
The time Z such withdrawal.
or course, where importatiOns are held in bond
End the duty has not been paid the importer
by Withdrawing the goods after September d
VIII benefit by the reciprocity concession This
condition applies 20 large portion of the Cuhar n
sugar now IN bond The Cuban Reciprocity act
ana he reduction Of the war revenue tax on
Tea are held TO be analogous, for when The du+1-
on a commodity has been paid into the United
states Treasury il conforms to the provisions
81 existing law Hence, all goods for which
duty has been paid but now held in bond await
iLs WlthdrawaI, are 10 all intents and purposes
OUT NJ me hands of the government and no
money VIII De refunded 10 the importers Of those
particular goods
A curious complication now arises in the inter
probation Of the law Importers having goods
10 bond Al any port Of entry can request the
government 10 permit their Wit for ev-
V0--a-lon. The government Il is understood
would lnterpOse no objection and the duties
already paid would be refunded. These goods
could be shipped 70 Cuba. and then, after De-
ceTrper -, returned 10 this country, receiving
the benefit Of the 20 per cent reduction in the
customs duty This, IL is pointed out. could
easily be done from Tampa or Key West Fla
importer ane considerable loss Of revenue 10
The United States.