The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-01
CAN GET A GOOD SHARE.
sAVANNAH's CHANCE FOR TRADE
WITH THE WEST INDIES.

Rapid Development of Cuba and
Porto Rico VIII Open Up Enormous
Trnde with This COuntry-savan-
nah Admirably Situated to Con-
troll Large Part of It-CargOes o.
Lumber and General Merchandise
Could BE sent out and Fruit
Brought BacIS-RaiIrOads Would
Help to Develop such Relations.
While other cities are moving to be in
readiness to enter into trade relations with
Cuba and Porto Rico as soon as there is
an opportunity to begin the shipment Of
merchandise to those countries and the
securing Of return cargoes, Savannah has
as yet done nothing.
1t has every advantage that any other
port offers for the successful establishment
Of trade with those Islands, and in many
respects is better situated than some of
those that expect to enter into the compe-
tition for the lucrative business that will
soon be under way. All that is needed 10
secure a large share of this trade for Sa-
vannah is the exhibition of a spirit of en-
terprise on the part of its business men.
New York, Mobile and New Orleans are
the cities that have so far done the most
toward putting themselves in a position
to profit by the advantages the war has
made for trade with the former Spanish
possessions in the West Indies. Soon there
will be an end to the heavy tonnage taxes
and other duties levied on commerce by
the Spanish government. The islands win
in all probability, enjoy absolute free trade
with the United States, either as posses
sons of this country or under her pro-
tectorate. The opportunities offered for
profitable trade win be numerous and open
to all with capital and enterprise.
Savannah is exceptionally well situated
10 step in and seize a large slice of the
business of these Islands. The distance
from this port to Cuban and Porto Rican
ports is far less than that from either
New York, Mobile or New Orleans. Large
iobbng houses are situated here, with am
pie capital to sell to the merchants of the
towns on these islands. Railroad facili-
ties for the distribution of fruit are second
to those of no other port. And in addition
Savannah is one of the greatest lumber
ports in the country and lumber for the
next few years promises to be one of the
greatest articles of import into both Cuba
and Porto Rico.
To make a success of commercial rela-
tons with the islands there must be out
going, as well as incoming cargoes. Sa-
Vannah is well situated to handle both.
As a fruit-importing point there is no port
that can reach a larger territory quicker
than this city. Railroads stretch out IN
all directions, giving prompt and ample
service. In the past steamers have been
run from here 10 Blue1eds, Nicaragua
for fruit cargoes, taking out some miscel-
laneous merchandise, and schooners have
brought cargOes of fruit from Baracoa
and carried out cargoes of lumber All
That is needed is to open up this business
again on a larger scale and under circum-
stances that are vastly more in favor of
success.
With Porto Rico. especially, Savannah
should be first in the field. That country
has not suffered to the same extent as
Cuba from rebellion and war. It's fruit
Industry has been comparatively unin-
! jured, it is a healthier and better island n
many ways, and an era of probably UNI
| paralleled progress and prosperity is ahead
there. The first people to get into this
| territory will reap a harvest, and the first
port to establish definite relations will be
apt to obtain and hold the cream of the
! trade.
The Central Railroad viii unquestIonably
! do whatever Is in its power TO help in the
! development of trade between Savannah
] anu titpSt tSldtltlS. OlIeE ROADS entering
| here will doubtless take the same view
of the matter. Breadstuffs from the West
! could be exported along with lumber and
such general merchandise as may suit the
needs OF the people. Fruits such as ba-
nanas, cocoanuts, pineapples, etc, brought
! in cargo lots, could be distributed West.
| South and North from here
Savannah" said Traffic Manager Hin
ton, appears to me to have every advan-
tage that any other port can claim and in
| addition enjoys some advantages peculiar
to herself. While we have not given the
matter special consideration we would I'M
doubtedly do all that we could to foster
trade with Porto Rico and Cuba If the Sa-
! Nannah merchants take hold of It, l can
see no reason why Savannah should not
get a share of 1t. Those islands are un-
| questionably destined to have a marvel
| GUS development within the next few
years. Capital and men are going to pour
into them from this country, and the re-
suits Will astOnish the world. From what
l have read they are among the richest
spots in the world and American enter
prise will bring out their latent wealth.
1t would be a mistake for Savannah not
10 try and get a share of the great BUSH
ness that viii soon spring up. To get II
1t is necessary to be in readiness to seize
the first opportunities. our business men
1 have enterprise and money enough and
| hope they will avail themselves of what
promises to be the greatest chance of a
century"