The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-05-26
l)nln's Picture Of Cuba.

The recent visit Of Mr.. Dana to Cuba has
been made profitable to the readers OF the
Sum. In n little over three columns ne has
presented ~ picture Of what he calls one VI
the finest lands under the light of tho sun,
which could not be- surpassed. Every par
uuraph is pregnant with facts, the clearness
If whose statement might afford good
u odel for young journalists, who "re apt to
multiply words needlessly.
The conclusions which are to be inferred
from Mr.. Dana statements are:
First-That the emancipation of the
slaves has w:rked we'll. 1.-The former
slaves everywhere 10 their work as we'll as
before. Indeed, was told that they do il
much better; and could not learn Of q
single instance in which any trouble he'd
arisen from the change in their relations.
The receipts of wages afford stimulus
which they ardently appreciate. Spaniards
long resident in the island, who had always
boen strenuous opponents of abolition. ad-
mitted IL NE that the success Of the meas
ure is complete. Indeed. the fact thai
whereas under slavery a considerable pro
portion Of the sugar crop was annually de-
stroyed by incendiary fires. while under
freedom such incendiarism is thus far un-
known, is more conclusive on thia point
than the mere opinions Of any number OF
persons"
Second-Thc people are burdened by
taxation imposed to pay the vast expense OF
subduing them.
Third-They are still more burdened by
the System of import duties that is devised
to give Spain monopoly of the Cuban
trade. For Instance. 'while Spanish flour
imported into Cuba in q Spanish vessel
90, ~, n 1ufv ~ orr 40 =,
-four in an American vessel pays $3.50.
Spanish lard pays two cents and three
quarters kiloeramme; American lard
fourteen cents and half Spanish cheese
pays three cents aud seven twentieths pei
kilosramme: American cheese, eleven cents
and four hfths. From Spain, household
furniture pays nine cents per kilogamme,
from the United States, thirty-two cents.
Corned beef from Spain pays seven tenths
of cent; from America. eight cents and
seven twentieths. Salt fish from Spain
pays seven tenths of cent; from America,
two cents and nine-twentieths. Window
glass from Spain pays ono cent and three
tenths; from America, four cents aad seven
tWentieths.
Fourth-the Cubans see no hope for re-
lease from the Spanish greed in revolution.
They have had enough of that remedy. u
did unt"-says Mr.. Dana converse with
Cuban who was not quick and ardent IN
assuring me that the only hope of the peo-
pie is in annexation to the Uuited States
in free trade with the republic to which
they sell their products and from which
they draw their supplies.
Fifth-it will surprise many readers to
learn that Cuba is one of the healthiest
countries Even the chronic danger Of
Havana from yslloW fever might be largely
reduced, if her sewage was discharged
where the currents would carry it out &c afa.
Sixth-Cuba lacks good roads. The
country roads are little better than cattle
paths
Seventh-The sugar culture has reached
perfection in Cuba. In MatanZas, espec-
tally every foot of earth is utilized. The
whole surface is covered with sugar
cane. except the wide and grassy
roadways that are left open
between the broad squares or planted land.
There are no waste places and no weeds.
AS far as the eye caii reach, the masses OF
sugar cane-very similar TO Gslas Of Indian
corn, but taller and denser in verdure-assa
waving in the, breeze. The landscape is
dotted with palm trees and broken here and
there with the mansion houses. sugar works
and gardens of the plantations. It 10 a
scene of wonderful beauty. There are
pictures in nature that are grander and
more startling, but none more lovely to the
eye or aore pleasant in the memory -,
This is Il suggestive and encouraging pic
ture. Cuba offers rare fasciGations for our
diplomacy. Not Of the old flibuster, COS
tend Manifesto" sort, but steady, patient
diseraetand kindly endeaver, Oh the part Of
government, tc nuke it al object for Spain
to ''open up Cuba to American trade, set.
Element, activity and enterprise. we could
easily afford to pay Spain $500, OO0, 600 fol
abandoning her old colony policy Of mo.
nopoly, as regards the United States. Anc
Spain needs the money.