The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1880-02-23
OUR COMMERCE. WITH CUBA.

dispatch from Madrid announces the on
cial PRONUNCIATION. on the nineteeth instant,
of the law abolishing slavery In tho Island u
Cuba. In anticipation OF this event the Cuban
Conservative members OF the Spanish Oortes
have for some time past advocated CONNER
Cal treaty between Cuba and the United
States However desirable such convention
might be In promoting the future welfare and
prosperity OF the Cubans the question OF nj
lowing them certain commercial privileges
seems likely to cause another dispute between
| the mother country and her West Indian col
enies. As IN integral part OF Spanish terri
tory, Cuba Ia included In that system Of pro
| sectlve and differential customs and naviga-
| tlon duties on which the mother country relies
for the development OF her native industries
and for her independence Of foreign supply.
Thus tho people OF Cuba are compelled to
look to Spain for their supply OF breadstufYs
rs long as that country has any TO sell, and
when American -four and corn must be used
its value ie enhanced by duties to suit
tho convenience OF the Spanish authorities.
In the same manner our cotton and WOODEN
goods and manufactures generally are shut
out of the Cuban market by these exorbltant
duties. to enable Spanish manufacturers to
Impose their products upon the people at
extravagant prices. The foreign commerce
Of Cuba. In proportion to its population,
probably exceeds that or any other country
on the globe. Since 1850 the valuation OF the
yearly exports has ranged above $50 900 900,
and that Of the imports has averaged about
the same: but 1t appears that In these valua-
lions the custom or rule has been to under
state the exports and overatate the Imports
Yet the commerce. az already stated, IL much
restricted by the policy OF the government.
Tho duties discriminate greatly In favor OF
the Spanish flag Ia all respects, though chiefly
In favor Of all imports by Spanish and Cuban
vessels and OF imports of products Of Spain
The tonnage duties similarly favor national
vessels. Under this system the greater part
Or the imports since 1929 have been brought
under the Spanish flag. or late years the
has averaged about two thirds
Tho effect OF the system may be readily seen
IN the importation Of flour and provisions.
Under fair regulations these would mainly be
brought from the United States. But the
duty Oh -four from the United States In
foreign vessels has been about four times MS
great rs the duty on -four brought from Spain
In Spanish and Cuban vessels. In 1864 the
imports of flour from Spain were valued at
S2677.79l: from the United States, S29R30
Under such burdens prices are maintained at
high rates. materially diminishing consump-
tlon. All this, while Cuba exports annually
between $4,000 and 10000 tons OF sugar and
molasses- two-thlrds Or the sugar and % or
% per cent OF the molasses finding their way
TO the United States-all OF which goes to re-
plenish the Golfers Of Spain, which buys scarce
" anything from Cuba. and whose trade, with
Ill Its privileges, hardly reaches one-fifth OF
The whole export and import. That one coun-
try. on tho plea OF identity OF race and the
of common defense, should exercise
On another country. sundered from Il by four
thousand miles of sea distance, a sway In |
,urlng all the advantages on ono side and I'M
posing all the burdens upon the other. might
20 understood In such conditions as hitherto |
existed when Spain had all the making OF the |
avs, and when the captains general and
other officials charged with their execution
lad no other mission than the unbounded
'poliation OF the colony for the benefit OF the
mother country and themselves. This state
i things cannot, however, continue here
lfter II Cuba is allowed even the mere shadow
II the local government to which she Is, In
Iii Justice entitled