Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-10-23
CUBA Considering.
TARIFF P R 0 POSALS.
IN TREATY REVISION
CLAIM Pr EsENT' RRovlsiC,.S ARE
MORE OF A PROTECTION TO
TIE UNITED STATES TRAN TO
CUBA.

Havana Cuba, oct. 23,- Enactment
o. The Fordncy tariff, with rs increas
"a dutos on Cuban products, has 3cry'
Oh to unite the inchoate and divided
sentiment in Cgban financial and COM
ID nercial circles for 4 revision OF the
Cuban.Amcyican reciprocity treaty
Through Secretary OF state De Ce"-
pedes the enormously capitalized sd'I
gar and tobacco interests are presenr
ing their case. announcement Of the
present treaty, signed il 1902 an
granting Cuba a 20 per cent prefer
entail and the conclusion OF ne|
commercial pact, with an increased
preferential, is asked.
Since assuming last July his dual
role of secretary Of state 2nI mlniste'
10 the United States, DR.. De Nespede5
has made rapid progress in his |orh
r. of laying the ground work for treaty
revision Data has been compiled
showing how the present reciprocal ar
rangement, under which American eN'
y porters virtually have a monopoly in
the Cuban market, is claimed to con-
n, fer more benefits on the United States
than on Cuba.
Goincidentaiy with his statistical
endeavors, the secretly is conieflin2
with Major General +, H. Cro"dcr,
personal representative OF PrSiat NJ
Harding; the members OF the cdbl'
net, congressional leaders, officials ol
the principal commercial and indus.
trial organizations Of the island, aud Is
in frequent communication with the
washington state department.
With the Lie Fordney sugar ditJ
finally fixed, the campaign OF the
cuban sugar interests for more favor
able treatment has been turned trom
publicity to diplomatic channels,
~ Through local manifestations news
papers. committees CT defense ana
other unofficial means, both in Cuba
and the United States. the cane forces
did their utmost 10 secure reduc-
ton in the emergency tarin rare
y Their efforts new are being directed
q TO document adequately the state de-
partment in its treaty revision neGd-
tiations.
b The Cuban tobacco interests. less
aggressive and more deliberate in then
- campaign, have finally Joined forces
4 with the sugar men and Cuban diplo-
macy. In a long exposition OF the
decline OF the Cuban tobacco industry
the onion OF Cigar and Cigarette
: Manufacturers Of the Island OF Cuba
has Just presented formally its case &c
the state department.
While admitting that every nation
has taken care of its tobacco inl
ports with heavy imposts as an ar
ticle of luxury, the cigars makers TAX
particular exception TO the American
duties because of the alleged insui
nctent preference given Cuba in view
of the virtual monopoly enjoyed by
American exporters in supplying
Cuba's imports The decline IN eX.
ports to the United States from lOl,.
o 6g9,560 cigars in 1889 to 20.9G1 ,656 in
1921 is outlined and the claim made
that, even If a revision Of the reel.
procity treaty as the tobacco men re,
quest, increases the preferential rate
from 90 to 80 per cent, and brings
Cuban cigar imports back to the 1883
figure, this would be only a drop in
the bucket compared to the present
annual manufacture of 100000 COS
cigars yearly in the United States.
While the state department is pull
Ing tne ulDlOHldtLc StflHBs, congress u
considering more direct measures
Numerous projects for tariff reprisau
against countries dScriminatiH-
against Cuban projects have aroused
a sentiment strong enough to result
i'll a determination by the house d
representatives to open hearings OF
q revision of the tariff to protect
Cuban industries This was request
ed by President Zayas in message
to congress on July q, 1921