New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-10-31
TIE BRITISH VEST INDIES.

CENTRAL NEGiEY Ok THEIR POVERTY AND Dr.
rRrssioN-wHAT FREE TRADE WOULD EFFECT
General James S. Negley, vino has been in
Cougtcs. before and elected to another term last
fail from Pitshurg has long been attracted by the I'm
portaucc Of the ana Central American trade as
matter Of United States ,tatesmdnShlp Having oppor
tunity FOR vacation this summer hc took passage on
tramp steamer from Charleston and paid visit
to the English West indies. touching
also at some points in South America. He
reached Now-York recently on his return. A TRB
UNK reporter him In the Fifth Avenue Hotel where
lie SAID
81 have had a voyage OF 5000 miles, and learned
some things Of practical value to this country be
licve. can sum up the condition OF things IN the
Windward Islands-in fact, in all the British West In
dles-iu few words There is great poverty and great
depression in all financial matters Tho French islands
arc little better OF but not much Barbados Is en-
Ing little prosperity consequent the English re-
moving their coang station there from st. Thomas.
The Royal Mail touch at Barbados now In
stead of st. Thomas. The WORK Is mostly done by
coolies aud doesn't bring about anything Ike what We
call prosperity in this country"
"What is the cause Of the poverty and depressonf
In the British West Indies it Is largely the result Of
the maladmnistratlon Of the home government. Tho
people compelled TO support officials and depart
ments which have absolutely no power whatever III
themselves to do anything for the Improvement OF the
Islands the ameoration Of the condition OF the people
activity They get no assistance from general gov
eminent to make improvements, yet the people are
taxed excessively and burdensomely Their condition
utterly deplorale OF the sugar planters
are bankrupt in debt far beyond the value OF their
plantations and property"
Would they or we be benefited by free trade :"
"The free trade applied to the West Indies Is
a misnOmer The claim that under notifications Of our
treaties by the reduction abolition Of tariffs
we largely Increase the sale OF breadsus these
people is The fact is that they do not buy
dollars worth products beyond their actual neces
sites. The sale -four and meats would not be In
creased single dollar we TO declare free trade
with the Vest Indies Cuba, for instance.
has products amounting 10 $7j.OOO,OOO per VIC
purchase Of her - per cent Of all the
thi, country We purchase Of her about jO,OOO.OOO
annually. She buys OF rs about Tl3O0O,0O0 annually,
the largest portion OF which j. -four When people
talk about letting sugar in free OF duty they do
derstand -four IL taxed ~ per barrel to get
Cuba, about as much as its first cost II We should
proclaim free trade with Cuba could only sell them
The amount Of -four as now. We should buy tho
favnr " Jcrsration nf f,cc trade woud .imnv ne NAH
ing them present OF the arn dues. II these islands
got the benefit of it and enabled 10 grow into
tnrv and TO deach Themselves from England and at
tach themselves to rs, 1t might not be II bad
their home Governments The speciors argument
advancedb y free traders that We would increase our
trade ard DO cOrrcspOndin2ly benefited, falls to the
ground before these stubborn facts What true Of
Cuba is true OF all. We sell the island OF st. Kits
% 900 barrels of nOnr annually We wouldn't sell
another barrel under free trade We sell them all they
need now. Their other supplies are drawn from
Europe"
" What method will bring MS this trade :"
"Thc one great thing needed Is rapid communication
and quick transportation. The Government must give
assistuuCo.tO line Of steamers OF high speed between
their ports and England, France
and Germany snbsidZe steamship lines
I'm this trade Spain gives them handsome
rebate OH taxes. Brazil gives mail subsidy. Other
SOuth American countries Offer similar Inducements
Our Government must take hold OF this thing bust
way. havo looked this trade important to
be brought about encouraged, built up. | thought II
could be effected by legislation or diplomacy. through
acts Of Congress In reference TO the tari through
reciprocity treaty such we have with Canada But
now that have taken occasion inquire closely and
practically INTO the matter positive There - only
one rcmcdy-quick transportation and rapid cOmmunl-
cation. Fast steamers are needed 10 bring MS their
pershabe products IN the shortest space Of Time and
would increase the sale OF Our pershable products
They would buy even vegetable, rather
than rai-e them, il they could get
them quickly Then they want quick mail facilities In
order 10 make banking connections At present their
exchange When they buy Of us they pay In London
exchange, which Is good IN Newly FORK. They want their
money return quick All their arrangements with Lon
don are such as TO induce them TO trade there for every
thing except the necessities they buy Of u.s. The first
thing TO change this IS for people 10 get acquainted
with the situation But II cannot be changed at all
until the Government takes hold TO give fast lines Of
steamships. That Is the key"