The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-21
DON'T START TRADE JUST NOW
WHAT MIR. HERMAN MEYERS WILL
ADVISE SAVANNAH MERCHANTS.

From what He Has Seen in Cuba
til a stable Government Is Estab-
1ished-ConditiOn of the Once
Great Tobacco Industry of the Is
1and-HOw Southern Industries
Nav suffer From Annexation.
Mr.. Herman Myers. who has been to
Cuba, viii return to the city to-day from
New York, having gone there by steam
shin from Havana. The Mail and Express
published a long interview with Mr.. My
ers. giving his views on a number of Gu
ban matters that are of general public in
terest.
Il. am convinced by personal observa-
ton that every days delay in ending Span
ish rule in Cuba and in establishing a firm
government in its place counts for the fur
Their impovershment of the island and re-
dards its industrial development and COM
mercial growth" says Mr. Myers II
nave had many interviews during my visit
with citizens of substance and capital,
both Spaniards and Cubans These men
are all most anxious, regardless of what
shall be the future permanent government
Of Cuba, for the immediate occupation of
the island by the United States, for the
reason that the most important business
interests imperatively demand such occu-
patton ard the consequent pacification.
Among these citizens, Spaniards and Gu
bans, to whom | here allude, L do not in
Guide the Spanish officials, who are eager
TO retain control of the custom houses and
other sources of revenue.
The most important business interests
in Havana have been really puzzled to ac-
count for the failure of the United States
Military Commission to insist upon the
immediate evacuation of Cuba by Spain,
in accordance with the terms of the pro-
tocol. Moreover, although this may be
question of the future, found the bust
ness men of whom l speak, both Spanish
and Cuban, absolutely without exception,
i'm favor of the ultimate annexation Of
Cuba to the United States. These men
quote, it is proper to state, are all either
large agriculturists or manufacturers.
What would be the effect of annexation
upon the United States because of free
trade between Cuba and this country?"
Mr.. Myers was asked.
Some Southern industries would suffer
at first, but that loss would be Overhaul
anced a hundred fold by the quantity of
cereals and of all kinds of manufactured
goods, especially agricultural implements,
to which the Cuban market would be
thrown open. Regardless of future annex
alton, however, the United States should
at once summarily remove all duties upon
the importation of everything needed by
the farmer. The United States should take
immediate control of the Cuban custom
houses. That is the first essential step to-
ward the beginning of agricultural labor,
without which no prosperity is possible,
and which has been throttled by the ini-
quitous Spanish tariff. Delay in this res.
pect is no advantage to Spain, for the
treasury of Spain receives. none of the
revenue from the present tariff on Cuban
importations-that all goes into the phi
vate pockets of the Spanish officials
What Southern Industries would suffer
most from annexation"
Florida tobacco-growers would lose
something, and the Louisiana sugar-cane
growers and the beet-sugar industry "a the
North and West would naturally object.
But Louisiana and Florida would make up
for their loss by the larger cultivation Of
rice. The tobacco problem is an especially
difficult one TO solve. 1t is undeniably de-
sirable to protect Cuban tobacco from an
influx Of inferior United States leaf to-
bacco such as that grown in Connecticut,
pennsylvania, New York and Ohio. Ha-
Vana cigars have their peculiar reputation
the world over and it is natural that the
manufacturers should wish to protect their
interest. It is manifestly impossible, IN the
event of annexation, TO prohibit the I'M
portation into Cuba of so important an az
Ticultural product of the United States as
Its leaf tobacco, or even to levy upon it a
restrictive duty. This applies TO the Porto
Hican product as we'll which is also in
terior TO the Cuban leaf. l would like TO
suggest one plan that has occurred to me.
rms IS TO treat tobacco manufactured in
cuba and adulterated with tobacco from
the United States or Porto Rico somewhat
as oleomargarine, butterine and filled
cheese are treated in the United States. Re
qulre It to be stamped and sold under its
name. Cigars of Havana fiber and Con-
necticut or Porto Rico wrapper could thus
be designated in packages by special in
ternal revenue stamps. Then the genuine
Havana cigar would be protected the buy
er would know exactly what he was buy
ing and great industry would be saved
from deterioration. 1 would suggest such
solution of the tobacco problem TO Spe-
ciaI Commissioner Porter"
What is the effect of the delay of evac-
uation upon the present tobacco market"
1t Is indescribably bad. At the present
moment the island of Cuba may be said
10 De practically bare of tobacco. Prices
are very high for inferior material. The
season for planting is past for this year.
Inc result is that next year can see no
better crop than has this, and there is a
consequent loss to producers and manufac-
ourers alike of twelve months more time.
ms means that for twelve months longer
al consumers of Havana cigars will have
10 pay 80 per cent more for the genuine
dIucle. This is a mere trade result. A
more serious result, according to my OBJ
serVation, is that the people of Cuba, who
expect to live and work there, are losing
Uelr faith in the earnestness and irmness
Oh the United States government because
VI me delay of the United States Military
commission. This must be injurious in
.le future as well as in the present to
american interests in Cuba, political as
Wei as Industrial"
You are especially sympathetic with
southern enterprise?"
Naturally, from both personal and local
s,e"Sons. The South is most alert to Galn
nS legitimate share of a larger commercial
,mIeIcourse between the United States and
una The Board of Trade of Savannah,
", len started for Cuba, specially request
I me TO Inquire into the condition and
e le wants Of the Cuban people, which
Jo'Id De supplied bp our own producers.
4 l..