whatever price Spain demanded for them.

Perhaps you will find this a little hard to understand, so we will try
to make it a little clearer to you.

All countries are anxious to find markets for the goods they produce. It
is for this reason that we have passed our present tariff bill.

The United States wishes to make a market for the goods manufactured
here, and so she has laid a heavy tariff or duty on all goods brought
into this country that are similar to those that we make here. A certain
fixed number of cents has to be paid for every pound, gallon, or yard of
such goods before they can be brought into the country.

The importers cannot, of course, afford to lose this money, and so they
have to add it to the price of the goods, which thus become more
expensive than the same class of articles manufactured here. It is
therefore to the housekeeper's advantage to buy home-made goods in
preference to foreign, and thus a market is made for the home products.

Spain considers her colonies her rightful market, and therefore has
placed a high duty on foreign goods. The Cuban housewives therefore
found it to their advantage to buy Spanish goods. Cuba is of course too
small an island to manufacture many things for herself.

This seemed fair enough, but unfortunately, the Spanish goods thus
forced on the Cubans were not satisfactory to them, and were, moreover,
sold at prices much too high for their value. The Cubans found that were
they allowed to go to the world's markets for their supplies, they could
live for half what it cost them under Spanish rule, and rebelled against
the power that was treating them so unfairly.

The question of tariff is said to be the most serious stumbling-block in
the way of home rule for Cuba. It has been said by both Spanish and
Cuban diplomats that, if it is enforced, the Spanish merchants will rise
in rebellion against the Government.

The Spanish ministers are, however, determined to carry home rule
through. The plan is now completed, and has been approved by the
ministers, received the Queen's signature, and become a law.

* * * * *

The reassembling of Congress and the President's Message are drawing
near again.

People are speculating as to the course the President will recommend in
regard to Cuba and Hawaii.

It is thought that he will suggest patience toward Spain until the
promised reforms have had time to be put in effect, and that if these