Rensselaer Republican, Volume 27, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 January 1895 — A TARIFF TANGLE. [ARTICLE]

A TARIFF TANGLE.

Spain Places the United States it the “First Column ” Prospect of a Sharp Advaaeo la- the Fries of Sugar—American Floor Trade Seriously Damaged. Interesting developments are expcctei at an early day as the result of strained relations between the United States and Spaiu over the tariff. Spain has already placed the United States in the “first column” and Secretary Gresham has rejoined by Directing Minister Taylor at Madrid to notify the Spanish government that if the United Statesis hot removed from the “first column” this country will retaliate. In official circles it is believed that Spain will not yield to the protest of Secretary Gresham. In that event, if th# Secretary carries out his threat of retaliation, President Cleveland will issue a proclamation closing American ports to the products of Spain. The first effect of this will be to shut out the enormous shipments of raw sugar which Cuba makes to this country. Cuba furnishes seven-eighths of all the raw sugar used in American refineries. Ths other eighth comes from Louisiana and Hawaii, but It would be impossible to make up this seven eighths from Cuba. It is asserted therefore by those in no way identified with, or partial to the sugar refineries that the retaliation would cut them off from their supplies, throwing 20,000employes out of work. The statement was made by a high official. Hs added that the ultimate effect of the warfare would be to advance the price of sugar from three to six cents per pound, thus making the public bear the burden. In levying duties Spain arranges countriel in two columns. The first column include* those who have not entered Into satisfactory treaty arrangements with Spain, Until recently Brazil was the only country on the globe which Spain had put ii this column, all other countries being fa the “second column,” which includes those having satisfactory treaties. The United States now joins Brazil in Spain’s “first column”. Spain’s action in ths matter is likely to prove disastrous to ths American flour trade. Wben the United States raised the duty on Cuban sugar Spain responded by raising the duty on American flour. The “first column” duty on flour is 14,75; second column, *4. Canada is in the “second column” and thus to-day enjoys an advantage of seventyfive cents per barrel,and that country has already secured our Cuban flour trade.