The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1898-04-21
Our Commercial Relations with Cuba.

Nothing can bring into clearer light the
terrible results of the instruction to the
commercial interests of the island than a
comparison of the movement of sugar in
1897 with that of 1894 1t is well known
how both Spanish and Cubans sought to
produce moral as we'll as physical effect
by preventing the planting and gathering
of the cane. Only the trade returns can
give some appreciation of the destructive
effect of this policy. In 1897 Cuba sent
to the United States 400, 400, 600 pounds
of raw sugar, or less than one fifth the
quantity sent in 1894. Among cane pro-
ducing countries this import was exceeded
by the Hawaiian Islands and the British
East Indies. Cuba supplied only IA per
cent. of the total imports of cane sugar,
and less than 10 per cent. of the imports
OF all raw sugars. In place of receiving
500, wv, O0O for the sugar exported to the
United States, as it did in 1894, Cuba re-
ceived only SO, 0o0, 900 for its sending in
1897. The ability of the island to pay its
charges of debt and administration. and
to feed the ''carpet baggers'' and absentee
planters, to support host of useless but
hungry aud rapacious officials sent out
from Spain, depended upon this remit
lance for sugar and tobacco from the
| United States. At least SD 600 600 a wear
has been lost to Cuba in these two articles
alone, and an island rich in tested posi-
bilities is doomed to an economic destrue-
ton while Spain holds dominion.
| For it is the market of the United States
alone that can make Cuba bloom into
profit All Europe combined cannot do
it, as the one great interest of the island
completes with a special industry of Con
tinpDtal FIrDn.i-tha baat- r,ot ipIu
an economic nightmare that has more than
once threatened the state treasures with
ruin, and produced more diplomatic nego-
tlatlon than could question of territory
The huge overwhelmed monsJrosity which
each nation hoped to use Extensively against
| Its nelghbors has turned upon its creators,
and would veto propoSltionto give Cuba
ever small part of the nome markets
| All Europe, too, is combined against the
free sale of the second large item in Cuban
economy, for the state monopoly (reqie)
in the leading nations OF the Continent
control with an iron hand the import,
manufacture, and sale of the weed No
! craftsmanship based upon sentiment or
upon economic considerations on the part
OF + lrope can give Cuba what she needs.
and What she must have if she is to re-
main factor in the world commerce.
No decree of Spain, no system of tariff
duties or navigation regulations OF COM
| mercIal prohibition, can have effect in
affecting this overshadowing influence of
the United States over the commercial
destinies Of Cuba.
In the supply of Cuba with her chief
needs in food and machinery tire United
States should also stand first. A natural
protection of distance, as we'll as natural
advantage in production, should establish
this commerce on grounds which NO other
country could well contest unless favored
by tariff laws that would work more in
jury to the producers than benefit to the
monopolists. In 1894, a year of fair trade,
the exports from the United States to
Cuba were $40, S55, 237. Of this total
more than one half was composed of ma
chinery and iron and steel in various
forms, breadstuffs and provisions, wood
and coal. OF articles of minor Importance
the movement was large, but need not be
specified; for the opportunities for in
creasing the export must first lie with
food Especially -FOUR and machinery
With the pacification of the island the de-
mand will develop in many directions; and
with the burdensome and discriminating
customs duties repealed, the United States
should be in position to avail itself of its
Aalulat aoilllS W ENJOY Juo offerings OF
the Cuban market
Nor is the question of annexation close
ly connected with this commercial SUI
premacy. AS dependency of another
power, and under system of maladmin-
istration, Cuba developed into it's COM
mercial eminence; and even those adverse
influences could not seriously interfere
with this development. AS an independ-
ent power, working out its own political
salvation, the economic ability would still
remain, and probably be even more active
| when the trammels of the Spanish com
mercial policy have been laid aside. The
immense sales of sugar and tobacco and
the ever increasing demand in the United
States for tropical fruits, would give Cuba
a commercial standing and financial credit
that would be a guarantee of power and
safety. AS a Territory or a State of the
Union, Cuba could only bring with it a
train of political and financial problems
of serious import and high difficulty.
| Harper's Weekly.