The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-04-12
CUBA As A MARKET.
what Would Follow the Liberation and
Independence OF the Islnnd.

Independence OF the Island.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir Were the
gem of the tropical seas, the island Of Cuba, a
free country, there would begin an era of enor-
nous trading with the United States sufficient
to give an impetus. practically amounting to a
moderate but at the s!ARe time legitimate boom,
to almost all our branches of business. a COM
mercial treaty with IL" young republic similar
to the one we have with the Sandwich Islands
would facilitate the above result. The natural
laws of trade would accomplish this likewise II
we made no treaty. for the United States pro-
duce and manufacture almost everything that
Cuba imports and needs. and we import and
need everything that Cuba's fertile soil pro-
duces.
Cuba exports yearly to all countries on an
average OF S75. 1000 900 to $50, O00. 900 worth Of
raw sugars and molasses, mahogany and cedar
wood. fruits. tobacco. iron ores. &c. of which
the United States buy between 80 and 05 per
cent, for no reason other than we need these
raw products. and can buy them nowhere else
in the world so conveniently to ourselves as we
can in Cuba, which lies at our very door.
On the other hand. Cuba. under her present
Spanish regime, buys Of the United States only
between Sl2, 900. 900 and SIS, OOO,O 900. thus Gre
ating q balance of trade against US Of about
500, 900. 900 yearly. In the same way that the
United States Is the natural market for Cuba's
exports, largely for reason of the geographical
position OF the island. which lies within sixty
miles of our nearest shores. this country should
be the natural purveyor tor Cuba's wants to the
same or greater extent than the amount OF our
yearly purchases from the island.
The only barrier to It is an artificial one, i'm
pregnable so long as spain has any control over
Cuba, for she will never. consent to grant the
island the only form OF home rule which is
compatible with the proper development OF its
natural resources, that Is; the tight OF The
name their own fiscal officials,
The unjust tariff determinations made by the
Spanish government compel the Subans to
| purchase Spanish cotton goods. shoes. steel
rails. ~ironware.. &c. to say nothing OF span.
ish -four, in preference to the same products OF
are not only cheaper but better than the former.
In this lies the reason why Spain is making dcs-
power over the unfortunate islanders. Spain
knows that, once Cuba is free, the island will
turn to her natural friend and business partner,
the great United States. and neither, the Gaia
lans nor the BisCayans will longer be able to
force upon the Cuban consumer their cotton
ware. at ridiculously high prices. AS Cuba and
Porto Rico are their only foreign markets, these
efforts to continue her dominion over Cuba.
The natural resources OF the island are but
partially, developed In fact: it can be fairly
that can do it. 1t is Well known that she lacks
mental morality that are required. She makes
the island a victim Of overtaxation. official cor
ruptiOn, ana favOrltlSnl TO spanish mpnOpOlles,
| and thereby general and profound discomfort
has been a perpetual condition in that over
abused country. Public works OF Improvement
are almost totally neglected. In short, to an
impartial observer 1t would seem that Spain has
always looked upon that island in the same
light as a bandit looks upon his booty, or a far
mer looks upon his COW, to be MIXED AS long rs
che has any milk to give and then to be sent to
the shambles.
Under the nominal or actual tutelage of the
United States that fair island would have q
future beyond any that her most sanguine we'll
wishers would dream. An island whose re-
under such ruinous government as that OF
Spain. has an export and import business OF
about $3.50, 900, 900 yearly. would. in the course
OF fifteen years under an intelligent and honest
Government. astonish the world.
Tho laws of hygiene arc practically ignored
by the Spanish Government. There Is no
more reason for yellow fever in Cuba under
proper sanitary laws than there exists along our
Southern Gulf coast; but Spain Is not the cOun-
try that will give any great importance to such
things as proper sewerage or any other improve
ments that may cost her money and thus re-
duce her Income from the island, hence the
evil results.
Railroads, sewers. dredging OF rivers and har-
bors, docks, public roads, in fact, every kind OF
necessary public improvements will have u be
done. so that the products OF the island will in
crease and become accessible to the shipping
ports. There is hardly a line OF trade In this
country that would not feel the good results
from the island being free and able to purchase
States. Therefore, from a commercial stand
point. this country would be greatly benefited by
the success OF the patriots. EXPORTER.
Aprl 10.