The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1896-04-03

Americans have S25,000,000 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 brushes the rebellion taxation
will 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-
ton to pay an enormous debt that will
be saddled on her people If Spain con-
quers. With independence Cuba will
not need a large army nor much of a
navy. She will not have to support a
costly corps of rulers and foreign at
taches. The frauds the Spanish practice
upon the revenue will disappear; high
customs will not be a necessity and the
Government can be carried on for great
ly less than the expenditure Spanish
rule imposes Cuba will need to con-
tldOl oCOl ~ diiiOdAsh VI loe4A tA hfo
millions of dollars, bit 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-
eminent, 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,
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. In 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 a powerful influence in
Cuban affairs. There is no such ami
mostly between the classes as is as
serted. War has largely united such
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, it cannot be one-tenth that
of which Spanish officers have been
guilty Moreover, Cuba is by no
means developed as yet. OF $4,000, 900
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 to be cleared. There is a vast
field of iron ore that has been I'M
touched, supposed to be superior to
Swedish product. There is 81 per cent
manganese ore in vast quantities that
is unn1ined, waiting for free govern
ment to encourage Investment.
In twenty-five years Spanish rule has
not permitted or secured the extension