The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-05-18
THE MEMORIAL.
The memorial is ;,s follows:


The memorial is ;,ts follows:
The subscribers to this memorial, ,citi
"cnS OF tho United States, doing business
as bankers. merchants, nWlnurn ctlrcrs,
steamship owners and agents In the
cities OF Boston, New York, phlladcl-
,hla. Baltimorc, Savannah, Charleston.
Jacksonville, New Orleans vlnu olhnr
places and tiilso other citizens OF Tho
United states, who have been for many
Years engaged in the export und lmport
trade with the Island Of Cuba, finding
Chat Chcir several interests arc suffering
severely from the long continuance OF
Tie struggle now going on in the Island
of Cuba. desire TO present for youl. care
iul consideration the following facts in
me nope thnt You may find in them n
sufficient justification of this memorial
anu may be able TO dcMiSa measures
WhcrebN termination OF the struggle be-
Tween the armed forces In the Island OF
Cuba may be haStcnnd and the suffer
lnES and losses Of your subscribers may
be relieved and commerce rc-cstablsll-
cd between the United States and the
Island OF Cuba.
GREATNESS OF OUR INTERESTS.
The magnitude of the American COM
ncrcc with the Island Of Cuba is readily
shown by citing the volume OF our 1rn do
with that island for the years 1898. 1894
anu 1898, In each Of which years the
value OF our imports from Cuba exceed
ed Si1,Q0O.00O. Our exports 10 Cuba
ranged In value from s25, 100000 to $50,
100000 n year during these years, and
had been even greater in previous wears
during the existence OF the reciprocity
treaty or the United States; with Spain
The struggle in the Island OF Cuba
has continued for more than two years
TO the serious arrangement OF our com
mcrcc With the island. our imports from
cuba shrinking in value to some $50 :
O0OOO0 in 1896 and our exports to Cuba in
1896 amounting to only $1,000, 900 so far
as Scccrtainablc.
Many OF your subscribers. moreover,
nave large interests in Cuba, either as
property holders or holders OF mort
cages or IN the shape OF business credit
advances, and your subscribers see
these interests already seriously iniur-
ed, now threatened with annihilatiOn by
Inc continuance Of Il state Of affairs
under which we can neither operate any
business in the island OF Cuba with
safety nor take the precautions posi-
bic in ordinary times TO protect our in
tcrests.
NOW IS THE TIME.
'"1yhe third rainy season since the com
mcnccment of the insurrection is now at
hand in Cuba, and as military operations
OF any magnitude are made virtually i'm
possible for the next five months by rea-
son OF the tropical climate and rains.
the relative position OF the two contend
ing parties cannot be greatly altered
during the summer months
1T appears to your subscribers that
for the reasons above cited they may
venture to lay these facts before you
most appropriately at this time, and
they sincerely hope you may be inclined
In view Of the magnitude and impor-
tanCc of the American commercial inter
cstS that are involved, to give careful
considerations to the serious blow in
f1ictcd upon our commerce and trade by
the present disturbance in Cuba, and to
determine upon the eXpedicncy OF talk
ing measures which may facilitate an
honorable reconciliation between the
contendins parties. The restoration Of
peace In Cuba now, or within the pres
ent rainy season, would probably not
only rescue from destruction the large
interests Of the Americans there at
stake and serve TO re-cstabliSh an inn
portant branch OF our nations com
mcrcc, but would prevent further loss
OF life, destruction Of property, wide
spread distress, hunger and suffering
that are inevitably increasing accompa-
nimcnts of an armed conflict, such as
has now been existing for over two years
in Cuba.
THE CAUSE OF UNANIMITY
Your subscribers especially solicit
your speedy consideration of this mat
ter. desiring relief for their own large
interests involved. and desiring also TO
aid in securing the incstilnablc blessings
oi peace for one and a half million of
residents OF the island OF Cuba, now en-
during unspeokable distress and suffer-
ing. The great cause OF true humanity
Will be furthcrcd, jointly With that OF
American commerce, by such measlr
as your subscribers trust may deem ex
pedient at this juncture"