Evening star., 1898-02-10
FOR PEACE IN CUBA.
Many Busiuess Men Memorulixe sh<
President.

An enormously signed memorial of busi-
ness men OF all parts Of the country has,
been presented to the President. calling
his attention to the destruction of trade
between the United States and Cuba as a
result of the three years war The largest
business houses and banking Institutions
OF New York. Philadelphia. Chicago. Bos-
ton and other cities sign the memorial,
which is as follows:
The undersigned citizens of the United
States. many OF whom Joined in the send
ing to your honorable Secretary OF State
in the month of May last a memorial re-
citing The great and increasing loss OF trade
and pecuniary damages TO which they as
importers. exporters, bankers, manGfac-
turers. steamship and vessel owners and
agents i'm the trade with Cuba were sub
Jected by the long continuance OF ruinSus
armed conflict In that island. felt impeiled
10 lay before you the following additional
facts:
The destructive war In Cuba has coniin-
ued for three entire years, with an actual
average loss OF import and export trade
between Cuba and this country OF sluutsH-
900 per year, or a total loss of S3frD. .UO,.opd
import ana export trade since the begin
ning OF the war. To this may fairly be add
ca heaNy sums irretTteVaby lost by tie de-
suuction of American properties or prop-
critics supported by American capital In tic
island Itself, such as sugar factories rail-
way ;. toodCcO Plantations, mines and other
industrial enterprises: the loss Of the
United states I'm trade and capital by rea-
son OF this war being probably far greater
ana more serious than that OF all the other
self.
The steps thus far taken in the hope of
afnelloratlng existing unfortunate condl-
tlons have not sufhced to save for the
planters and factories the sugar crop of
ls9i-aS, which. with the exception of a
slhali part, appears virtually lost. like it's
two Predecessors.
Only about fifteen per cent of the sugar
factories of the island were operated last
year, and the same proportion are en-
deaNoring to run their machinery this sea-
sen uhder circumstances constantly threat
ening their destruction.
'lnasmuch as eighty per cent of our en-
tlre trade with Cuba depends upon the
sugar crop of the island, il is readily seen
that our commerce with the island can
not be restored at present, nor until actual
peace is established.
If peace be not established before May
or June OF this year, then il is certain that
the lssS-9 sugar crop and all the busi-
ness depending upon IL will be lost since
| the plantations. factories. railways and
| business houses in the different sugar dis
| tricts of the island will require all the rainy
season OF summer and fan TO prepare for
next winters crop by repairing damaged
| nelds, machinery, lines of railways, etc
The close geographical juxtaposition Of
the Island TO our own country and the nat
| ural course of trade have brought Il about
| that in time of peace Cuba finds in this
| country a ready market for ninety per
| cent of her EXPORT, whilst the enterprfse
| ana manufacturing skill of our own peo-
pie nave found profitable field in the
| ownership or management of Cuban sugar
| factories. railways and other enterprises
| Respectfully submitting these facts we
| bespeak for them your most earnest con-
| sideration, and trust you may deem the
| magnitude of American interests jeopar-
died, besides the tremendous losses already
| inflicted upon American commerce and in
| dustries in Cuba by this fierce and devas-
| tating conflict, of such Importance as to
| warrant prompt and efficient measures by
| our government, with the sole object of re-
| storing peace.
Trusting firmly in your watchfuI care
| over the interests of all American citizens
| your subscribers unite I'm praying for your
| aid and for this governments aid I'm bring
ing about actual peace and with il i'm re-
storing TO us most valuable commercial
| field"