The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-09-05
CUBA AND SUGAR.

Another very important factor in
fixing the value of sugar, and sugar
stocks in this place, will be the future
production of sugar in Cuba
There is a disposition growing on
the Mainland to give Cuba the benefit
of free sugar as a reciprocity measure.
At the present time it is improbable
to predict what relation Cuba will have
to our tariff. The probabilities, how
ever, are that, as the Federal Govern
ment will be forced to govern Cuba,
directly or indirectly, the policy of
making Cuban sugars free will grad
ualIy prevail. 1t is the natural and
commercial way of developing the re-
sources of a country whose future is
important to American interests. 1t
was most successfully tried with Ha-
wall. Why will it not succeed with
Cuba?
Aside from comprehending the gem
eral policy of the country towards
Cuba, it is difficult to forecast the
course of events Cuban affairs of all
kinds are in a transition condition.
Few men living, and certainly no per-
sons here have any clear, definite or
valuable knowledge of those cOndi-
lions The problem there is too COM
plicated to be clearly understood here.
The stories furnished by correspond
ents," the items sent by travellers do
not give the reliable data needed in
order to frame q. sound business judg-
ment The opinions of men not ac-
customed to study economic and social
questions are worthless.
1t seems to be admitted, however,
that the area and soil of Cuba, could
soon. under proper management, pro-
duce more sugar than is now consumed
in the United States. One thousand of
its forty-three thousand square miles
could easily supply that amount. 1t
has already produced 100000 of tons
per annum. 1t should readily increase
it to 1900, 900 of tons. There is now
over 100000 of American capital
invested in the Cuban sugar planta-
tions. The mills are said to be intact
A large and abundantIy sufficient lab
oring class, skilled in the cultivation
of cane. is on the ground The bust
ness of sugar making is already
learned. 1t is not a new industry
which requires the training of men;
or will cause great losses through ig-
norance, repeated blunders; nor is it.tC
be rated as costly experiment" Th&
island is only stones throw" from
the Mainland 1t viii soon be Overrur
with adventurous people with more OF
less capital. The cause of bad govern
ment will be at least partially re-
moved. One of the most important
items in the account is the fact thai
there is a large population ready anc
willing to cultivate cane, as a matter
of necessity.
On the other hand, no one can pre-
dict at present what the political fu-
ture will be. There may be such po-
liticaI unrest as will prevent the de-
velopment of the sugar or any indus
try during the next few years. This
may prevent the influx of capital. The
Federal Government may not be able
with it's military forces, to preserve
order and restore confidence.
Those who like to believe that it vii
require a long period for Cuba to re-
cover from the desoIation of civil wal
must remember that a rich agricultural
country RECEIVERS from desolatiOn and
devastation with surprising rapidity
# is said that one year after the Ger
man army over-ran Northern France