The Washington times., 1916-03-19
Revocation Of Treaty
With Cuba Considered
Present Reciprocity Arrangement Said To Be of Little
Interest to Either of the Countries-Certain
Republican Elements Said To Be Ready to Act.
BY JUDsoN G. wELLIvER.

The revocation OF the reciprocity
treaty with Cuba, entered into In 1909,
"a seriously considered In some legisla,-
tive circles.
This information comes from the
Ways and Means Committee. II 10 az
yet entirely unofficial. While tho dis
position toward revocation 10 under
stood to be Of Democratic origin, II -
no secret that some Republican sle-
ments are inclined to Join In the move.
II IL alleged that this country gets
little or no benefits from the present
reciprocity arrangement. while Cuba
gets an assured market for her entire
sugar crop. now about 100000 tons
year, on the most advantageous terms.
Reduction In Sugar Tariff.
/ The reciprocity arrangement 10 not
accurately understood by most people.
on the American side II comedies to
Cuba q reduction OF 70 per cent Of the
regular tariff on sugar, sugar being
the chief export OF Cuba, this has made
the United States the market for prac-
tlcnlly the whole export business OF the
island. on. the other hand, Cuba grants
preferences, ranging from 20 to " per
cent concession from the regular tarins
on various articles. The majority OF
these are 20, but they range nnuon
higher In q number OF cases.
whole apparently beneficial TO both
countries. Under II Cuba's sugar has
found a steady market In the United
States at considerably better prices than
II would have had in any country UNI
manufacturers have greatly extended
their business In Cuba.
One reason for the proposal to revoke
the treaty, and perhaps the largest one.
10 that Il would add one-fifth to the
revenue received from Cuban sugar.
That would amount to about tl0OOO,Oo0 q
year, 1t happens that In present cir.
cumstances SO. 100000 Of revenue, raised
from a source that nobody In this coun-
try would have a chance to feel. would
be quite a lift In making up the ways
and means budget. The Democrats are
and sugar looks exceedingly attractive
TO them. II is already decided that the
free sugar provision shall not be allow
ed to take effect this spring, as was
intended when the Underwood tariff act
passed. Instead, the present duty OF
sugar that pays the full duty, which
means $40 cent on Cuban sugar.
Vigorous Protest Expected.
There In going to be a vigorous pro-
test against revocation OF the Cuban
treaty. however. II the Democratic man.
ayers decide that 10 Is a desirable
measure. The United States has SUI
perseded European countries, to a very
large degree. in Cuban trade. by rea-
son Of this arrangement. There has
never until now been serious question
about the retention OF this arrange
ment Republicans generally arc dis
posed to feel that II would be highly
unfortunate to chuck a monkey-wrench
into the gears Of arrangements be-
tween the two countries. merely In order
to secure a few millions of additional
revenue In an emergency.
For a number OF months the Bureau
Of Foreign and Domestic Commerce.
through Its division OF cost OF pro-
AUCTION. has been studying the costs
Of producing sugar. The division OF
cost OF production is practically a
tariff commission, under the CON
struction placed upon Its authorities
by the present Administration. Last
August. in a very quiet way. II was
set about making q study OF sugar.