The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-12-13
NEEDS AMERICAN MONEY
Splendid Opportunities Offered
for Investment in Cuba.
TRADE AND SHIPPING
Future OF the Islands Commerce De-
ponds Upon American Capital-Eng-
lish and French Are Build
ing Railroads.

New York. Dec. IA dispatch to
the Tribune from Havana says: New
enterprises in Cuba are opening for
American capital. The opening Of In
creased means Of communication be-
tween Havana and the Florida ports
has clinched this conclusion. Com
munication is now established three
times a week with Tampa, on the west
coast, and twice a week with Miami.
on the east coast. The business may
not be sufficient for awhile to keep
two lines in operation. The compete
ton will likely be sharp. but after a
time there will be enough for both.
The gulf ports, with the exception Of
New Orleans. are also TO
their opportunity n an increased
tradet to the South promises to be soon
developed.
These are only incidents in the future
development of the island.
What is significant is the complete
recognition by the foreign capital in
vested I'm Cuba of the new conditions.
None of this capital will be
out, as has been assumed in many
quarters. Instead, IL will remain i'm the
assurance of future stability given by
the United States. Much English mon
ey Is invested in the railways and the
tobacco plantations and manufactures.
Some of il vas actually pushed into
Havana in order 70 seize the opportu-
mites that were open before the time
was ripe for American investments.
French and German houses also rushed
put To assure the trade that was al
ready theirs.
1t is probable the Barcelona houses
will carry out their plan of erecuhg
49, AT l. D.lA IL L. 49, ~
they never seriously contemplated
while Spain ruled the island. 1t was
enough TO have a portion Of their cap
ital invested in the mercantile business
without the additional risk OF the man
ufactories.
A common delusion that the retail
trade of Havana and other cities Will
pass rapidly into American hands must
also be noted. The Spanish merchants
will hold this trade so stubbornly that
it's future is not worth consideration.
The only point of interest is that they
will buy in larger quantities from
houses in the United States. With the
full knowledge then that American
capital is not expected to dislodge Eu-
p capital. the interest is in the
fields which will be opened for IL. The
European trade representatives have a
tolerably clear idea of where the first
development will come. They have a
AlNl0 ItIlellDI nee vi INT III az
ships which were beginning to crowd
the harbors of Havana, Matanzas and
other ports when the Blaine reciprocity
was introduced by the eXigencies OF
partisan politics in the United states.
Now they know. independent of the po-
litical significance, What IL will mean
to have the ports of the United states
brought so much nearer Cuba by short
ening the time and increasing the
means Of communication. That was
the first reflection to-day when the
vessels came into the harbor.
1t Is a swift method of reasoning py
which the conclusion has been cache
that the future of the carrying trade
of Cuba almost in its entirety will be
under the American flag. The depen-
dency of the island on the United
States. whatever form its government
may take. settles that point in the
minds of the European trade represen-
tatives. They have also looked a little
further than the Americans in the
coastwise trade. That. in their view.
hereafter is solely a question OF Amer
lean ships. The difference will be that
the Spanish ships will not be a prtvi-
legged monopoly without competition.
The theory of the Spanish authorities
was that a limited coast traffic at high
rates was better than unlimited bust
ness at low rates. A passage from
Havana 10 Santiago costs more than a
voyage from Havana to New York.
Freight rates were at the same ratio.
The backbone" railcoad through the
island was not allowed to be built be-
cause II would interfere with the coast
wise vessel monopoly.
What should have been a hourishing
%intercoast trade among the many
towns which la natural harbor adj
vantages became an intermittent busi-
ness with a few small vessels engaged
in il. The fishing smacks were limited.
American coasting ships will change all
this. possibly faster than has been an,
ticipated. IT they do not precede the
Industrial development Of the interior
Of the island, they will at least keep
pace with II.