New-York tribune., 1891-03-01

able Captain-General, like Plate can only wash
his hands in affected helpessncss. 1t has Deeh
necessary to withhold the names of my 1niormantS
in order to protect their interests. Their VIEWS
however have been faithfully reproduced in my
letters and have formed the basis for all con-
clusions which have been reached
a brief summary of these opinions VIII take
this form Cuba has been paralyzed and ruined
by system of unreciprocal protection adopted
for the selfish interests Of SPAIN the island muSU
have the benefits of commercial union with the
United States-the only market for ITS produce
if Spain persists in protecting its OWN agricultural
and mercantile classes at the expense OF CUBA
and refuses to negotiate an equitable reciprocity
treaty with the State Department, there VIII
be intense excitement and commOtion next year
and possibly revolution; and while reciprocity,
by placing the island on equal terms with OTHER
sugar producing countries and by reducing natcrl-
ally the burdens Of import taxation. VIII tend 10
avert political changes, Cuba belongs naturally
in the orbit of the United States, and sooner or
later will inevitably be drawn By economic gravi-
taton into its place.
To this summary may add two expressions
of opinion differing in detail from the views gen.
orally expressed. A prominent sugar-planter OF
the South Side, not an American, who was most
emphatic in predicting political crisis If reel
procty and a permanent market for sugar was not
secured took a most conservative view of the
extent of the concessions which the State Depart
ment could properly demand in the interest of
the American export trade. Cuba. he contcnded,
was a small, poor and thinly populated country,
and it would he irrational for the United States
to expect to deprive it Of all means of raising
revenues by levclling duties on imports. Amcri-
can flour ought to be admitted frcc-sO much he
ready to cOncedc: but when the question
was raised respecting large reductions in the
duties on hardware, machinery, drygOods and coal,
he was not prepared TO acquicscc without re-
serve That was a matter to be decided by cX-
pers familiar with the statistics of trade between
the two countries. a rich and populous country.
he thought, could afford TO be generous rather
than to attempt what was clearly impracticablc-
to work out equation OF trade in exports and
imports. Cuba very poor and could buy little
in any market. The State Department ought to
be moderate and conciliatory in its demands. Spain
could be coaXed into making a bargain that
would be toerably fair TO the United States, but
it could not be 6ullied into anything. / have
cited this planters opinion because it was the
most moderate view to which ] have listened
Others united in declaring that very large con-
cessOns ought to he made in exchange for a per-
manent free market for sugar, and that lower
import duties would increase Cuba's purchasing
power
The second exception TO which have referred
was the opinion of another manufacturer. owning
large plantations in another quarter Of the island
He spoke Of reciprocity in terms Of dispararc-
ment. He had faith in it. Annexation was
the only policy which would restore the fortunes
of Cuba Anything short Of annexation would bc
futile The planters were at the end Of their
resources. They could not sell their estates, and
they could not carry on business proftablv
1t was impossible for them to obtain Trustworthy
mechanics and skilled labor for so delicate and
scientific an industry as sugar-making The
country was utterly exhausted. What was needed
was American trade, capital and labor and these
could only come after annexation. Cuba be-
longed in the Union. Nature intended il to he
there Economic law carrying it in that di-
rection. financial collapse would accelerate the
movement. There was only the ono market for
cane sugar, and trade between Cuba and The
United States should be as free and unrestricted
as trade between New-York and New-.Jcrscy
Reciprocity on such terms never could be obtained
from SPAIN Therefore he took no interest in
Secretary Blaine's policy. What would happen if
treaty were not negotiated with Spain and the
sugar duties rcimposed? Why. tie planters
would have to make sugar more chcaplv, pay their
Workmen less, and run more deeply than ever into
debt If Brazil and other sugar countries were
favored by the United States in return for reel.
proclty, Cuban manufacturers must compete in
some way. They had their money invested and
they must live, even If the wages Of negroes and
Cinnamon were TO be cut down onc-half No;
reciprocity was not n remedy. Annexation must
come SO this worthy man ran on for an hour
or more He was the only planter or merchant
who dissented from the general opinion that reel.
procity was the only policy open TO the island.
For this reason | have emphasized his views. As
a rabld anncNatonis, he was repcllcd rather than
attracted by the policy Of commercial reciprocity
Another statement which this 0utspoken planter
made was corrOborated in every other quarter
This was bis testimony 10 the quiet. orderly and
pcaccable character of the working population,
and especially Of the freedmen The skilled labor
required for operating the engines and for con-
ducting the critical processes OF sugarmaking may
be lacking, but for the TOugher work of the lactO-
rieS and for cane cultivation and harvesting the
| negro hands are excellent. In the tobacco vegas
| Chinese and negroes are equally efficient. The
| tobacco plant has many enemies the North
ern rose There is destructive insect that breeds
at the foot Of the growing lcaf another that cllngS
TO the under side, and still another that eats its
| way into the heart Of the plant Then there Is
exceedingly Voracious ant that is well content
with the acid Of tobacco leaf when il cannot find
the sweets of sugar cane. These pests have to be
constantly fought, and at budding time some Of
the lower leaves have TO be cut of in order 70
| have the finest quality of tobacco. The field
labor is sufficiently intelligent 10 perform these
| various offices. The negroes in Cuba are i'm the
main dOcile, easily controlled and well-Gisposcd.
During the insurrcctiOn the slaves were loyal 10
! their masters. When the war ended, cmancpa-
| tion came as a reward for their good conduct.
| No feeling of antipathy excited.
| Whites and blacks adapted themselves at once
| to the new conditions. They may hc seen
to-day working side by side in the fed. taking
coffee together at Il restaurant. The Spanish
| being q Latin breed, have little Of that strong
| feeling of affinity for their own blood. and Of
| antipathy 10 a race of another color. that is
| characteristic of the AnGlo-SaXOn. There
neither jealousy nor persecution Of the freedmen.
| 0s in America after the war. There no core
spending feeling Of resentment against the whites.
While disturbance of the social COndltIouS
| has resulted from emancl patiOn there has been
Il Inr ind llr..l