New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-01-21
lvRox STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE

(vRox A STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF The TRIBUNE
Guantanamo, Jan. s.-Capc Masi is the land
first sighted when Cuba is approached from tie
Bahamas and the Wndward Channel. 1t is a
barren and unattractive coast which meets the
strangers eyes until Guantanamo IIarbor is en-
tered and the high Sierra Maestro or Macaca
range becomes the background for impressive
scenery This is the first of the series of deep and
commodiOus bays with which the island is ell
ciroled. Havana, Matanzas, Nuevitas and Neve
on the north; Guantanamo and Santiago the
south, and Cienfuegos the west, have harbors
unrivalled in the West Indies Here is the first
suggestion for unanswerable argument from
nature in favor of the closest commercial rela-
tons between the United States and Cuba. Let
il be conceded that the physical forces shaping
the configuration of the coasts of the island were
directed by and benignant purpose, and
il will follow that the bays and harb0rs were
designed to facilitate commercial exchanges with
the adjacent cOntinent-the destined home of the
American branch of the English-speaking race.
In Natures bold, strong hand reciprocity is traced
in the deep indentations of the seaboard On the
mountain sides stored with iron, manganese and
mineral wealth, in forests of the interior that are
practically UNEMPLOYED and in valleys and level
tracts unsurpassed for fertility, the same word is
written in letters large.
Cuba was designed by nature to be the choicest
garden and the richest treasure-house of the race
dominating the industrial fortunes Of North Amer
lea. Nature proposed; man has disposed, and the
island has been exhausted, squeezed dry by ra
pasty and incompetence, and brought to the
verge of ruin, from which reciprocity opens the
only way of escape In President JetfeIsOns
time Spain, in a deSpairing mood, offered to trans
fer Cuba to tho United States the easiest pos
sible terms. With the anti-slavery struggle an
rrepressible conflict involving the menace of the
most momentous civil war in history it was fortu-
nate, | had almost said provdcntial, that these
overtures not Hospitality received. Tho
premature acquisition of Cuba would have ma
terlally increased the resources Of the save-hod-
ing power in the United States, and deveo pcd
powerful tendencies toward expansion of en-
pire in the West Indies. The purchase Of Cuba
either in Jeficrson's or Buchanan's time would
have retarded, possibly have paralyzed, the anti
slavery movement. 1t would have been n grave
calamity for the United States, but it would have
transformed the fortunes of the island Cuba
under American administration would have been
to-day one Of the richest, most prosperous and
most healthful countries in the world Mountain
sides which WITHIN few years Lave barely been
scratched by mining engineers, would have been
IN high state Of developments Forests which
are now either tr3cklcsS or the haunts Of law
less marauders, would have been paving tribute
TO the commerce Of nations Coffee. sugar and
tobacco plantations under intelligent supervision
and with improved machinery would have o,,od-
rupled in value. Yellow fever would have boen
stamped ont by sanitary science and t'e njctu-
rescue mountains Of the south coast converted
into the most popular winter resorts for Northern
lnvalids Every industry Of the island would
have received an invi2orating impulse.
The past cannot be undone but the future
OF Cuba is crowded with opportunities ard
weighted with responsibilities for Americans.
They have or their Southern saaboard another
California, which can neither be purchased nor
conquered nor stolen. yet may he linked ir
dissolubly to tho Union by tie bonds Of com.
mcrcal reciprocity. Cuhn came within the RANCE
Of the earliest discoveries OF Columbus: vet -
America rs il IS almost an unknown land They
are ignorant rcspnctin. The extent and rance
of its Resources. rhev have only faint com.
prehenslon Of ;h' produoiycne>s OF is in,ustIic.
But the trenG of everts is unniiSta,,ablc II is
the MANIFEST stirv Of the Uri;cd S,qtrs 20 know
more Of Cuba, t. take grcate' intrics; i'm H.,
fortunes ard to fnd in commercial reciprocity
a new and comprehensive principle o. continental
protection
ny plON iSilUS Ol lIP ld,lI 9c1. WHICH arc 70
take effect April !. the United States abandons
great Of revenue h. tie r,lo,.! Of
the duties on sugar. Tle,e duties amYuu'':.e =,
S55975,610 for a snol. year h".c been easily
collected. becausc levied on an article Of common
consumption coming into port under con4i-to1,
which render differentiation, ard fr,rI l,'oult
II not implacticablc Al SUGARS clas,cl below
number IS Dutch standard are TO he pi,cri ~
the free list after April !. an average duty Of
cents a pound being taken Of and I'll sugars
graded above that standard ave 10 hn taxed one
half a cent instead Of the old rates II tlrne
sents and three a7d-; halt cents; The a r. .;,- o1
and reduction o: these duties involves tie necessity
for Offering hnuntics to the Western b"rt->.ip -
interest and also 10 proGuc"is o. conc Su-ar
operating in what ma bc described rs the outer
rim Of the tropical sugar zone l. is q policy
that Will cost 81 900 900 in hOurtics end yc"y
heavily in revenues, bU; Will cheaper an ,iclc
Of general consumption. Is seycn-cghtliS of The
sugar suppl Of the United States is imported.
the removal and reduction Of the duties viii teDI
10 stimulate powerfully the export trade Of the
sugar producirc countries Of This conIircnt. II
will affect most favorablT The island Of Cuba.
whose enormous sugar product is shipped almost
exclusively t. the American market.
The free market for sugar is not gratuiW
func with prodiga generosity to Spanish america.
II is an immense cO1rcSsOn made 70 slg1i-pro-
ducing countries containing population of 40
coo. 900. who import their food supplies and manu-
features but 1t is a provisional arrangement
dependent upon equitable reciprocity. BY the
Tariff act the President is authorized 10 Close
this free market for sugar after July !, 1892. II
he shall consider that unequal and unreasonable
duties are levied in return upon agricultural ana
products Of the United States
contingent schedule for sugar, moiasses. cohe2,
tea and hides is provided, and the President IS
not only armed with power, but 1t IS even madc
lis high duty. 10 suspend the operation OF the
system OF trcmcndous r3tuiiles temporarily ~
force. Spanish America l. expected - pay we"
for the free market for sugar ~ Is aIIo"'d an