Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-09-10
LOSS IN OUR CUBAN COMMERCE.

The war in Cuba is now threatening
this country with serious inconven-
fence and pecuniary loss There is
some doubt as to the truth of the
stories of outrages by the Spanish mil
;tary authorities which some of the
ewspaper correspondents have been
sending from Havana, because it is evil
dent that the stories come from in
surgent witnesses, and while such wit
neses may convince the correspondents,
their evidence is not sufficient to deter
mine the action Of the government in
a grave international affair. But there
is no doubt whatever as to the general
and eventual effect of the war on our
commerce with Cuba and on the in
come of the government Our COM
merce with the island ranges in values
of exports from $50 900 to $100,0O0
900 year. Our imports alone for
1895 were valued at $53,O0O,OOO, while
and tobacco, chiefly from Cuba, in the
same year amounted to more than $780,
100000. This revenue derived from
Cuban imports is therefore of the ut
most Importance to this country. The
loss of part of it has already added to
the deficiency which the secretary of
the treasury will be obliged to report
at the end Of the current fiscal year,
and the entire loss of it next year, I'M
less other dutiable imports greatly in
crease, will seriously embarrass the
treasury.
The war itself has greatly damaged
our commerce with Cuba. The manner
in which it is carried on is menacing
not only the revenues of the govern
ment, but the business interests of
many Of its citizens. Both insurgents
and Spaniards are warning on the COM
merce of the United States. The in
surgents are burning sugar plantations
or preventing the grinding of cane,
while Gen. Weyler has made direct war
by prohibiting the expectation OF to-
bacco from Cuba. This order went so
far as to forbid the expectation of
tobacco already contracted for by deal
ers and manufacturers in this country !;
hut the Spanish government, on rep
reservations from the state depart
ment, has directed Gen. Weyler to so
modify his order that it will apply only
to shipments on contracts to be made
after the issue of the decree.
There is abundant cause in this di-
rect and indirect war upon our COM
merce for the Intervention of the gov
eminent. 1t is not, indeed, cause for
declaring belligerency or independence,
or for making war on Spain, but for
suggesting peace and offering a friend
effecting'a reconciliation on the basis
of the reforms which the queen regent
has promised in her recent speech to
the Spanish Cortes. But here again
the foolish and mendacious resolution
passed by Congress hampers the presi-
dent. The Spanish temper has been
aroused and the Spanish blood has
been heated by incendiary senators and
representatives The president and
Secretary Olney are evidently doing
their best, but if they cannot bring
about an end of the war by reason of
the fact that Spain considers the
United States to be no longer in a
position to offer friendly services, the
loss of the millions to the government
and to private citizens that will follow
must be laid at the door of the lingo
congressman who think more of graft
flying vulgar sentiments that they
themselves arouse than Of the highest,
or even of the material, interes IS Of
the country.-Harper's Weekly.