The Indianapolis journal., 1903-03-13
THE CUBAN TREATY.

Alter long discussion the senate OF
Cuba has ratified the reciprocal treaty
which is now before our Senate. This re-
suit was doubtless expected. but the debate
disclosed the fact that Cubans do not feel
the need of the treaty so much as they did
more than year ago. The industrial con-
ditions of Cuba have improved The ad-
vance in the price of sugar and the aboli-
ton of export bounties in September on
beet sugar made by Germany and France
have helped the situation in Cuba immense
ly But while Cuban senators do not feel
so much as formerly the need of the United
States market. with the advantage of
lower duty on her chief products, they see
the Importance to the island of closer trade
relations with the United States. They
seem to realize that their future is bound
up with that of the United States. While
one opposition senator expressed fears that
the liberties of Cuba would be in constant
peril because of the purpose of the United
States to control the policy of the island
for our advantage, the fear did not seem
to be shared by the other senators. One
thing the United States has reserved the
right to do, and that is to interpose to pre-
vent Cuba from burdening itself with
public debt and thus share the embarrass-
ment of the South American republics.
The present situation in Cuba is cause
for encouragement. The Palma govern
ment seems to be giving the island quiet
and security. This is due in part. probably.
the duty of the United States to interfere
to break the rule of Spain in Cuba it GER
tainly is our duty to help the Cubans to
maintain their government and to do what
can to promote the prosperity of the
island. Say what we may, Cuba is the
ward of the United States. If we had not
made it so its situation would compel it.
1t is both our duty and policy to bring the
Cubans into the closest relations with us.
There is reason to believe that the pending
treaty will bring us closer together. The
very fact of an advantage in the markets
of the United States will cause Cubans to
regard themselves as the special favorites
of the larger republic. 1t is more than
probable that 1t would be good policy to
give Cuba the advantages of the pending
treaty If we should receive no advantage
from it. In fact. we should do about the
same by Cuba as If she were our own terri
tory. since what is being done now is
preparatory to closer relation.
AS to the treaty with Cuba, it can be
said that it is the only one which contains
the element of reciprocity. The treaty with
France does not. because it provides for the
admission of French goods at lower rates
of duties-goods which our own manufac-
turers can produce in abundance. There is
not particle of the element of reciprocity
in any treaty with Canada so far as the
American farmer is concerned. Reciprocity
with Canada is simply giving a good thing
for nothing 1t is different with such a
treaty with Cuba. She produces what We
do not produce in the quantities necessary
to meet our needs. The taking of Cuba's
sugar and tobacco will not interfere with
any home industry. On the other hand.
Cuba has a market for s5O.0O0.OO0 of the
products Of the United States. At the pres
ent time we are furnishing a little more
than one-third of the merchandise Cuba
consumes. Great Britain. Germany and
other European countries are sharp and
successful competitors-so sharp that the
| United States is losing ground. When our
merchandise is admitted to Cuba at Is or
| 20 per cent. lower duties than that of any
other country it stands TO reason that we
| shall get the most of her trade. For this
| advantage we could let her sugars into our
ports at 20 per cent. less duty than other
countries pay. That is reciprocity as pure
| and simple as the barter of the re-
taller who formerly exchanged sugar and
coffee with the farmer for wheat and hogs.
Because the pending treaty provides for an
| advantageous change of commodities it
| should be ratified If it is not ratified there
should be no more talk in favor of treaties
| of reciprocity.