The record-union., 1896-04-03
WHICH SIDE sHo5LD WE FAvORs

Americans have So, 100000 invested
in Cuba The war renders most of this
capital inactive. If, says a skilled sta
tistical commercial New Yorker, the
war continues much longer large part
of this capital may wholly disappear.
If Spain crusheS the rebellion taxation
viii be so heavy that such American
capital as is left will be unproductive.
So that in either of these cases the out
look for American capital in Cuba is
bad. But suppose the Cubans win the
day. Cuba will be free from the obliga-
tion to pay an enormous debt that will
be saddled on her people if Spain con-
quers. With independence Cuba will
not need large army nor much of a
navy. She will not have to support
costly corps of rulers and foreign at
taches. The frauds the Spanish practice
upon the revenue will disappear; high
customs will not be necessity and the
Government can be carried on for great
ly less than the expenditure Spanish
rule imposes. Cuba viii need to con-
tract debt to an amount of four or five
millions of dollars. btft that she can
bear without distressing the people or
her commerce.
Under the Spanish rule the Govern
ment assessments in taxation absorbed
about one-half the net revenue of the
island, and yet American investments
have been profitable. What will they
be- then, with Spanish misrule re-
moved? asks Pierra, the Chairman of
thte Revolutionary Committee in the
United States.
But a writer in the Shipping and
Commercial List" who considers lib
erty and home rule from the CONNER
cial side only, argues that our interest
lies with the Spanish. For, says he, If
the Cubans succeed anarchy will fol-
low They are incapable of self-gov-
ernment, because not fitted by training
or education for it. Even as it is, the
revolutionary Government appears to
have no power to enforce its DEGREES,
though martial law prevails by it's or
der.
If Cuba is freed the blacks and whites
will at once begin to quarrel. Caste is
sharply defined and maintained, and
the bitterest prejudices exist between
classes now only apparently not really
united IL short, Cuba would follow
In the line of the Central and South
American republics. and be the scene
of constant turmoil, under which Amer
lean trade would be paralyzed and
American investment be driven out,
whereas under Spanish rule they have
been protected and fostered.
But to all this the patriot Cuban,
Pierra, replies that there are 10000
intelligent, educated Cubans in the
United States who, on the success of
the rebels, would instantly return to
their country, from which they have
been driven. and there exercise a won
derfully conservative influence. More
over, commercial and social, not polit-
ical alliance with the United States
will exercise powerful influence in
Cuban affairs. There is no such ami
mostly between the classes as is as
Stl<Cos w Oh hoo AeAA SSts SoSA
interests as were opposed, and suffer-
ing such as the Cubans have endured
for twenty years under Spanish domi-
nation has refined and tried the mettle
of the people at large and opened up
to their view possibilities not dreamed
OF in the earlier struggles with Spain.
If corruption among Cuban officials
develops, 1t cannot be one-tenth that
of which Spanish officers have been
guilty. Moreover, Cuba is by no
means developed as yet. OF 35,000000
acres only 100000 are under cultiva-
ton, and over 100000 acres of
timber lands, clothed with the cost
lest and most desirable of hardwoods
remain 10 be cleared. There is a vast
field of iron ore that has been un-
touched supposed to be superior to
Swedish product. There is 81 per cent
manganese ore in vast quantities that
is unmined, waiting for free govern
ment to encourage investment.
In twenty-five years Spanish rule has
not permitted or secured the extension