New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-12-07

has been the material modification Of an unrecip
rocal system which protected Spain at ruinous
cost to Cuba. The purchasing power OF tho
Islands chief staple has been largely increased
by the removal Of restrictions upon buying IN tie
market where more than 90 per cent OF It's sugar
Is sold. There has been an enormous increase In
the production Of sugar. Two years ago ii was
100000 tors; now ii is 100000. The move
ment Of this largely increased crop has offered
| ample employment for railways. lighters, carriers
and porters throughout the island New ma
chinery has been brought into port and trans
ported to remote sugar estates Tie volume Of
general business has been materially increased.
There are signs Of activity and hustle in wharvcs
and streets which We're silent and deserted two
year, ago. There is an improved tone in business
circles, III general the prospects of the island are
brighter and more encouraging.
Lest | may be accused of overweight optim-
ism. let me make haste TO add that while the ne
gotiation OF the treaty with Spain has been fol
lowed ly unmsiakabe signs Of commercial revival,
the effects of that ilegvng policy have been par
| TALLY counteracted. The reduction in the duties
on American flour have largely increased the i'm
pOrtaton; but owing 20 "A combination formed by
the bakers unions in nearly all the cities, the
price of loaf of bread has not been cleapened
This is temporary effect. which cannot be pro-
longed artificaly With flour from New-lork
selling at 81 or 81 less barrel in the mar kct, IL
is clearly beyond the power Of the bakers trust
to keep up the present price of the loaf Bread
must speedily be chcapened Just as Lard, meats
and all other classes of imported provisions have
already been under the operation Of the Rcc-
procty policy.
More serious than the greed of the bakers has
been the administrative policy of the Spanish
Government As Scon as the increased production
of the islands industries demonstrated, meas
ures were taken TO add TO the burden Of internal
TAXATION Interest OH the war debt contractc in
the conquest Of the patriots must be pad the
defaults in revenue caused by the reductions IN
the American schedules must be made good, and
the expenses Of army OF Spanish officials must DE
dcfraycd in some way. As the orange i Milling up
with Juice, il must be squeezed again. HE CuoIn-
must pay III some way for the benefits OF Reel
proCitN.
While these increased taxes sugar and to-
bacco plantations are ndctenslDl" from every point
of view and while the advantage OF cheap IN
ported food has not yet been fully obtained, the
Reciprocity policy whole has proved remark
ably beneficial TO Cuba. IL has impaired NE anu
movement to every kind Of business II has en-
couraCe1 planters 10 repair their mills to enlarge
the acreage under cultivation. and TO make SUP
stantial investments in improved machinery. II
has added 100000 tons 70 IN" sugar lrOuuct IN
two years and increased the exports OF the !s!ahus
Sl6210.g3s in thirteen months. ~ mas gwen
efficiency in purchasing power 10 every ton OF that
sugar in tie American market, whence l'S io1d
supplies and manufactures are manly drawn.
While the new internal taxes are grleYous blr-
den and the bakers loaf Is still high. tultl j.
| convinced that American diplomacy INTERVIEWED IN
| 4 crisis of her fortunes and with strong arm
fought her battle for economic emancipation from
Snain II the Reciprocity treaty were 10 y" with
| the United States Cuba would have Just cause
for charging the American Government WIN pau
| faith for the strong arm which succorcl her
would then be raised against her. / ~ r.