American Politics.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLV, Issue 251, 15 December 1903, Page 4

American Politics.

CUBAN RECIPROCITY BILL. (San Francisco Mail.) NEW YORK, Nov. 17. An exfcra session of the United States 1 Congress is now struggling with' the difficulties of the Cuban Reciprocity Bill, for the passage of which President Roosevelt called u Congress in social session. The Bill will doubtless be passed without amendment, as those who advocate it declare that a magnificent business with Cuba cam be developed. Ninety per cent, of the wholesale houses in Culm are owned and operated by Spaniards, who make annual trips to Spain and buy the itgoods in Euro|iean markets. With the investing of millions of dollars oi American money in Cuban lands, a change is coining about, and trade is looking to us as the nearest and most advantageous market. At present there is practically no American cloth or clothing for sale inCuba. Business is very dull there at present, but improved conditions are looked for.

The enemies of the Cuban Treaty claim that it is undemocratic, because it is in the interest of the sugar refining and other special interests, anid the benefits will have to be made good by .111 addiiionai tax 011 the whole people on some article. It is "unrepubiican," because it seeks deliberately to injure and interfere with a home industry by lowering tariff rates which protect that industry, and thus directly invite and stimulate a foreign industry. It is said that the Treaty violates both the principle oi u tarili for revenue amid a tariff for protection.

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT'S MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.

Perhaps the subject o( most general interest dealt with in President Roosevelt's message at the opening of the United States Congress was the situation in Central America, including the creation of the new Republic of Panama. The President, we are told, justified the action of his Government in fostering the secession of Panama by proving l the irisibility of Colombia to preserve order in the Isthmus. America's detemiination to control affairs in this part of the continent is indicated by the emphasising of the need for strengthening the navy. The message expresses satisfaction at the Alaskan boundary award,and rejoices in the progress of the prin«iple of international arbitration. The only reference to the Far Eastem question is the statement that two places in Manchuria are to be opened "by Chi'na" to foreign; trade —a concession not of much value unless ondoust«l by Russia. Turning to domestic affairs, the President announces a small surplus—shown by the Secretary to the Treasury's statement to be £2,800,000, an amount apparently substantial in itself, but rep resell ti nig only about 2 per cent. 011 the Budget of the great Republic. No reference appears to be made to the race question, but by his action in renominating Dr. ('rum as collector at Charleston it is evident that the President is firm in his resolve to hold the scales of justice equally between the white race add the black. Tire report of the Secretary to the Treasury forecasts a de/ieit for the current year of 23 million dollars (about £-1,000000), but as no fresh taxation is proposed it woiuM Seem that 110 misgivings are felt as to the financial situation. Recent reports Lave shown a large exodus of population from the Western States of the Union to the Canuriiun- NorthWest. The immigrants into the Union. however, for the veur numbered over 857,000, which' proves that the population is increasing by leaps tu*d bounds. Altogether, the position of the American Republic as Hummed up in the President's annual report is thoroughly healthy and sound.