The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-27

another column, contains many important facts
connected with the interests Of the island Of Cuba,
which may be deemed highly important and
useful at this time, when statistical and other in
formation is in 80 much demand. The soil OF
Cuba has been long known for its prolific and en-
during qualities, but it is not 50 generally known
that il will bear 80 many crops a. our correspon-
dent states, without the appliance of artificial COM
posts to renew its strength Such being the case,
under fair commercial advantages there can be
no doubt that the production Of sugar may be
materially increased. The climate il particularly
favorable to the cultivation Of the cane and one or
two millions Of pounds Of the manufactured article
might be exported, If products Of our own and Of
other States were permitted to pass the ports of
Havana under less heavy duties than are now de-
manded. For instance, American flour is subject
to duty of nearly ten dollars barrel, while the
Spanish flour is admitted for about two dollars
This distinction between the products Of Spain and
the United States acts with great severity upon
the consumers-deprives them, in a measure, of
the luxury which American flour may be con.
sidered, when compared with that Of Spanish
manufacture, and retards by such restriction, the
production of sugar in the island. AS if to guard
the agricultural interests from q reasonable share
an export duty of about twenty-five cents on every
hundred pounds of sugar sent from the island.
This is very curious policy in these days of
mercantile enterprise, and it may be truly averred
that it strikes at the root of the agricultural in
terests blow that must retard the prosperity Of
that country.
In addition to these causes of complaint, very
heavy duty is imposed upon agricultural machinery
H. I.oL H.,
thing else than to cripple the enterprise of the
planters, and to place them in unfavorable posi-
ticn as competitors with the sugar producers Of
other countries. In one word, it is an impoverish-
ing policy, and by no means so profitable to the
government as would be more liberal system,
which would hasten rapidity in the exchange of
products. For the purposes of revenue, a less Be-
we're demand upon the planters would be far prefer
able. Were restrictions on flour, for instance, aad
agricultural implements, reduced to very slight
exaction, labor in Cuba would b. fed at a cheaper
rate, and the cost of producing sugar would be
terially lessened. In addition TO his, the United
States would Import Immediately much more sugar
than she now takes from Cuba, and the chief ad-
vantage would be derived by the people of the
island. The Spanish government, however, are
blind 10 this plain exempifcation of the benefits OF
more liberal policy. They even put tax on the
tonnage Of United States mercantile vessels, which
is both cnerous and injurious to the people of her
colony, and thus create that dissatisfaction among
the planters, and thatspasmodic res.essness among
the industrial classes, which may terminate in a
chrome complaint, and eventually in a serious
disruption Of the body polite.
Under these circumstances, we think tina. we
consult the peace of the world and the pros oenty
and happiness Of SPAN and Cuba, in exposing the
origin of the grievances which have produced dis
agreeable feelings between the people of Cuba and
the government. Deening tina. the interests OF
both parties are involved deeply in the question of
removing restrictions, We urge the Importance of
adopting different line Of policy from that which
has existed. II is quite evident that no country
can prosper at home, or il her colonies, which in.
terposes her power against the great impulses OF
trade and commerce. The history of the world,
and the history of our own country in particular,
shows that governments must not be too strong in
the belief tina. they can check, against the natural
tendencies of trade and production the enterprise
OF people Great Britain originally adopted the
same system which Spain still holds as the best;
but how do the records OF her history show that
she has been obliged to relinqnsh the governmen.
tai tenets as unsound and impractcable, Every
year adds something, in the shape of relaxation
of her restrictive policy. TO the world that
great producing colony must have facilities for ad-
vancing in mercantile and agricultural pursuits.
SO far as we can learn, there is no disposition on
the part of the people Of Cuba to change their 20.
s!ion under the crown of Spain, provided they can
enjoy the manifest benefits TO be derived from the
removal OF commercial restrictions. These, al
pYesenf. with terrible savaritv auai,s, ,ka 30
vernment of Spain and against the people of Cuba,
who require no heavy tarifi-for i. is not neces-
sary to protect the sugar or tobacco planters All
thatthe government ought 10 demand is a small
duty for its own benefit and support; and this
would be most securely gained by the rapid ex-
change of products which must inevitably take
place when the custom house duties on exports
and imports have been reduced The moment
that such policy Is adopted, we shall hear no
murmurs or complaints. The general prosperity
OF the planters and all other classes, and the in.
creased revenue of the government, will create q
frs;ernal feeling everywhere in the island, tina,
will make large military force wholly unneces-
sary, and will save world Of trouble.
That Spain will eventually see the justice and
proprieiy Of needing the demands Of the people Of
Cuba, we do not doubt. She cannot bu, regard the
island the richest and most valuable jewel of all
her possessions, and che certainly has a vast in
terest in preserving it in sound state All that is
required to excite her to examine the subject
upon which so much depends, is to have full and
impartial view Of the facts contained in the Stats
tics OF Cuba. These, under the enlightened adj
ministration Of Concha, the Captain General, may
easily he gathered, and presented in such a shape
10 the home government, that, even without any
positive recommendation, some measures may be
taken to relieve the people Of the island from the
Gripping policy which now scts them, and which
appears TO be the origin and source Of every com.
plant.
The climate aud soil Of Cuba will permi, tina,
Island to make holder stand in favor Of slight re-
sirictons on imports. than any other country that
H. engaged in the production of sugar and tobacco