The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-07-29
Why We Need Cuba.

Why We Need Cuba.
In the August number OF the Forum the
question why we need Cuba is answered by
Con. THOMAS JORDAN, who, as mauy OF our
readers are aware. speaks on this subject
with knowledge and authority. 1t is the
strategic i'm portance OF the island which he
Is especially qualified to discuss. but he does
no, omit to point out how immense might
b. tie industrial and commercial value OF
Cuba under changed political conditions.
In a review OF the historical aspects of the
Cuban question. Gen. JORDAN shows that
for seventy years American statesmen OF all
political parties have been alive to the use
iulncss Of the island on strategic grounds.
Thus THOMAS JEFFERSON, the acquirer OF
tho Louisiana Territory. said in 1923: The
addir ion OF Cuba to our confederacy is OK
actly what is wanted to round our power as
q nation to the point OF utmost interest"
This conviction was shared by another Illus
trious American, who cannot be suspected of
the slightest sympathy with the slave power.
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, writing while Secre-
tary OF State in the MONROE Administra-
ton, declared that: For a multitude OF
considerations. Cuba has become an
object OF transcendent Importance to
the commercial and political inter-
ssts OF our Union" Mr.. ADAMS pro-
ceeds to sum up those considerations
with an amplitude Of knowledge and a con-
ciseness OF expression that have seldom
been surpassed. Its commanding position"
he said. with reference to the Gull OF Mex
leo and the West Indies: its situation mid
way between our southern coast and the
island Of Santo Domingo; its safe and capa-
cious harbor OF the Havana, fronting long
line OF our shores destitute OF the same ad-
vantage; the nature Of its productions and
its wants, furnishing the supplies and need
ing the return Of n commerce unusually
profitable and naturally beneficial. give it
an Importance in the sum OF our national
interests with which that OF no other foreign
territory can be compared
These words We're written nearly seventy
years ago, and events have not yet justified
Mr.. ADAMs's prediction that within half
century the annexation OF Cuba to our Fed
oral republic would be recognized as indis-
pensable to the continuance and integrity
Of the Union" Theimportance Of the island
has meanwhile. however. been often reaf-
nrm"d, and notably by EDWARD EVERETT
when Secretary OF State IN the FILLMORE
Administration. Tho vital relations OF the
island to this country were defined By
him as follows: 1T bars Tie entrance TO
that great river which drains half OF the
North American continent. 1t kcers watch
at the doorway Of our maritime inter.
course with California. Tcrritoriuiiy and
commercially. II would be in our hands
extremely valuable: under certain con-
tingencies 1t might 90 almost egscn-
tial tn our safety" To those official
declarations Gen. JORDAN adds that any
maritime power that should occupy Cuba
could easily mako Il marc cldusum o: the
Gulf OF Mexico. for Cape Snn Antonio at the
islands western extremity Is separated from
Onpo Catoche on tho coast OF Yucatan by
little more than hundred miles Of senwny,
whilo Capo IIiacos is only hundred miles
distant from Florida. tho larger part OF the
intcrspace being filled by tho Bahama banks
and Islands.
Passing to the productive capacities OF
Cuba, Gen. JORDAN demonstrates thar,
enormous as have been her exports to the
United Statos. they mi ht DO intellectually
increased. because as yet only q small frac-
ton. 5.4O0C00 acres. Of Cuba's whole area
5000 square miles. Is as yet under tlllage
As matter Of fact, though smaller than the
State Of New York, the island contains II
much larger acreage Of richly productive
land, which needs only the stimulus OF free
accpss to the American market to be brought
under the plough. The prominence acquired
for many years by sugar and tobaccoin thu
list OF Cuban exports has caused us to los,
sight OF tho islands adaptability to tho
growth OF coffee. Gen. JORDAN recalls the in
tcresting circumstance that Cuba produced
In 1888 more than ca, ZOO. 900 pounds OF coffee
The discoEtinuance OF the cultivation OF the
berry is due to tho Spanish commercial re
strlctlous. which resulted 10 giving the Brazil
Ian staple virtual monopoly Of tho market
Of tho United States. The resources o
Cuba arc not by any means confined
to tho actual and possible products
OF agriculture. From personal observation
Con. JORDAN ia convinced that tho gold do
posts found In tho island In its discovery
arc far from having been exhausted. AS fol
copper. it may suffice to say that $40, 900, OO
worth OF that metal was exported from til,
Santiago district to England In tho six yeari
preceding 1850. In tho same region hay.
boon found large quantities OF iron ore o
superlative quality. most desirable for mix
ture with our own ores In the manufacture
Of Bessemer steel. We should also be oarelu
70 remember. IN spumegstipg the sources o