Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-02-04
OUR TRADE RELATIONS WITH CUBA.

OUR TRADE RELATIONS WITH CUBA
The recent effort in behalf Of direcI
trade with Cuba has not brought fortt
the desired results, but it has thrown
much light upon ,sn interesting subject.
Some Of the facts reported by our dele
CATION are highly interesting If moi
altogether encouraging. We are re
minded that ours is not the only coun
try which collects 0 revenue by artificial
means. For instance, the following facts
are given: The principal items Of export
from Cuba are sugar and molasses, being
about two million packages, or aboni
three-fourths Of the value Of their entire
exports. About e~ighty.6ve per cent. o.
the sugar of the West Indies comes tC
the United States, but is mainly used By
the reGneries. The average annual ex'
ports for the past Eve years amount
to SILL 900, 900; imports, $18, OOO, 0e0;
balances in favor Of Cuba, $4,000, 900.
Cuba is enabled to maintain this
large balance of trade against US
by the imposition of very heavy du.
ties by the mother country in favor
of her own products, to which duties
there is, OF the present time, an add.
tional war.tax of twenty FIVE rer cent.
upon their already very heavy and dis
eliminating duty. For instance, a bar
rel Of -four costing six dollars in the
United States wonld cost twelve dollars
aud eigbty.fve cents to land in Cuba,
without counting freight and charges,
whereas a barrel of -four Of the same
value 10 Spain would cost only seven
dollars and e~ighty-one cents to land
Thus Spain forces Cuba to contribute 10
the protection of Spanish industries, and
we can only be benefited by the sale Of
such articles as Spain cannot furnish.
Our delegation therefore unite in saying
that:
1t appears 10 your delegation that, in
view Of the heavy discriminating duties,
and 10 the present disturbed condition OIL
the island, with its rapidly depreciaiing
currency and embarrassed financial con
dition, the outlook for q profitable trade
between ourselves and Caba is 8 very
discouraging one at the present time.
1t is gratifying to know that the repre-
sentatives Of Memphis, Nashville, Chat
tanooga, Knoxville, St. Louis and olhel
Southern and Western cities were gen
orally well received and had a pleasan.
time, and returned with enlarged view
Of our country and Of our relations will
other countries. While not accomplish
ing anything at present toward openins
ing up direct trade with Cuba, they MAKE
suggestions which may have weight will
congress and upon the commercial ele
ments Of the West aud the South. 4
careful reading OF the report suggest
that Spain holds Cuba only for the pres
ent revenue that can be derived for thr
royal exchequer at Madrid, and, that i
is only a question of time when tina
power will relinquisb, voluntarily or 9th
erWise, her last foothold on the Westerr
hemisphere. The most practicable suu
gestiou Of the report submitted by Messrs
Dunscomb, Avery, johnson, Rossell
and Landrum, is contained in the cor
GLIDING paragraph, as follows.
From this point Of view much nigh
be added. but sufficient has been said l.
show that the United States have I'd
strongest possible grounds for demanc
ing OF Spain a treaty Of reciprocity
placing this country in the position {
the most favored nation" having treat
rights with Spain. We take ninety Dc
cent OF the products Of Cuba, yet OF
products sent to Cuba are discriminate
ak1AAoh IL . haI l0N 0nl1 unluhN 10 u
but injurious TO Spain itself. In ID
mouth Of 8 United States minister at ID
court at Madrid these facts would be use
with strsng effect as a reason for reoipr
city between the two nations Shou.
the various cities which have sent del
cations I Cuba, unite in some effort
call the attention Of the United Stat
government to the necessity for a trea
Of commerce with Spain, the only val
able, practical result which appears DC
abie 70 secure from the investigation
ard efforts Of the delegations Just !
isfned from Cnha, would be obtained
We hope all the commercial ceute
represented in this effort to secure dire
trade with Cubs will unite in bringii
this whole subject before congress
tach a clear and ioreible manner Ii
the Spanish tariff may be mOdi6
through treaty so as to st least give
United States a fair chance for the ri
trade Of Cuba with other countries.
"
THE Atlanta Constitution interpr'