New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-11-26
CUBAN FINANCE.

Financial considerations, as hitherto suggested
in these columns, are offering the most serious
obstacles to the establishment OF autonomy In
| Cuba This is entirely natural. The chief griev-
ances OF the Cubans for the last halr-century
or more have been financial. The colony has
been "the mich COW" Of Spain. Its trade has
been controlled in the interest OF the Peninsula
inst as much as Ireland's has been In the In
tercst of England 1t has been taxed for the
benefit OF the Peninsula treasury. An enormous
public debt has been imposed upon It, for pay
ment for enterprises from which is has derived
no profit Whatever other motives may nave
been influential in some quarters, there Is no
question that the desire TO have the revenues or
! the island administered at least chiefly and pri-
marIly for the benefit OF the Island Is what most
of all aroused the Cuban people, the substantial,
thrifty. roperty-holdlng classes. to demand au-
| tonomy, and in default OF It's being granted, 10
proceed to actual revolt against Spanish rule IL
! has thus been perfectly evident that any scheme
OF autonomy, to be acceptable to the CuDans'
must include financial autonomy. especially the
power TO make tariffs and budgets without re-
| gard TO Spain, Just as Canada does without re-
! gard to England.
The first published outline OF the present pro-
posals OF the Spanish Govern ment did not
make II entirely clear whether such conces-
sions were included IN 1t or not. They never
had been In any former offer Of so-called nome
rule But It now appears that they are thus IN
Guided This is indicated by the protests that
are being made 10 the Madrid Government
against the scheme by commercial bodies ana
other Interested parties in the Peninsula. THESE
come from no one political party. Liberals ana
Conservatives unite in urging the Ministry 10
protect Spanish industries and commerce, ana
Weyler fresh from his egregious failures in the
field assumes TO pose rs leader in pohtlcai
economy and TO identify himself with what he
is pleased TO term the cause OF Spanish Protec-
ton The true principle OF Protection does not
OF course enter into his consideration. The
question is not whether Spain shall be protected
but whether Cuba shall be sacrificed. Weyler
and Robledo demand not that Spain shall be
protected against the competition OF allen coun'
tries, but that the industries and commerce OF
Cuba shall be sacrificed for the benefit or the
Peninsula To continue the comparison Win
British colonies: England finding her West
india colonies unprosperous, and Judging mat
closer commercial relations With the United
States would benefit them, urges them 10 seek
reciprocity with this country, and herself enters
into negotiations with Washington TO that end
But Spain. seeing her West India colonies In the
same plight, forblds them TO seek the same re-
lief; or II the Spanish Government, at last learn
ing true wisdom, proposes TO grant such per
mission, the Spanish people protest and threaten
| TO rise in revolt.
The remark that Se1or Sagasta was not TO DC
congratulated on his becoming Prime Minister
OF Spain is vindlcated. He Inns hard and
thankless task before him He sees his duty
and IS trying 10 fulfil IL, in wiser ana drawer
spirit than any other Spanish statesman or TIE
century He proposes TO apply to CUBA the re
forms which, granted generation ago wou!C
have held her faithful 10 the Spanish Crown ano
saved both island and Peninsula from unspeak
able woe lie may be too late with the oner
But at least he makes II In good faith. ana IL j.
n mournful and depressing circumstance ina
the first and most vigorous opposition TO j
comes not from Cuban desperation, but iron
Spanish selnshness. Whatever the passion
swayed mob may clamor or demand the IN
telligent business men OF Spain, who are now
making these protests TO the Government, ough
TO be able 10 perceive that Cuba autonomous
and PROSPEROUS would be worth FAR more u
Spain, politically and commercially, than CUBS
ruled M and for Madrid, and In constant stat
of disaffecton, disorder and distress III the!
cannot appreciate the fact on general prin
ciples, they have only TO ask themselves how
Canada compares in value to England VIII
Cuba in value TO Spain Years ago EEglan'
gave Canada the right to make her own tarrs
, even TO levy duties against English goods, an'
now Canada, rich and prosperous, voluntarii.
makes sweeping determinations in favor
English goods. Suppose Spain had done Ike
; wise years ago, would she not now he far bette
off? And IS it not worth while, at least, to tr,
, the experiment now, and see whether there b