Evening star., 1898-08-19

The New York Tribune of yesterday,
Thursday. contained a number of interest
ing interviews with merchants of that city
who trade with the West Indies the
subject of what may be expected in the
way of business when the new order of
things becomes established down there.
Hopefuness of increased trade was gener-
ally expressed. 1t was predicted. indeed,
that in very short time business in every
line Will begin TO look up and the effect of
American activity be observed throughout
the whole range of the West Indian COM
merclal demand.
A representative of one of the houses
visited made this statement:
The trade of the West Indies is very
largely in the hands of Spaniards, concern
ing whom the export commission mer-
chants know all there is to be told. The
American exporters will probably do busi-
ness at first through the commission mer-
chants, who will guarantee the bills. and
probably, in most cases, pay the money
directly to the manufacturers, less broker
age, and make collections for themselves.
The Americans will find the Spanish mer-
chants honorable and prompt in their busi-
ness dealings. Provisions, for example, are
sold today on practically a cash basis
deliveries made on Mondays and Thursdays
are collectible on Saturdays. although Il
Few well-knOwn houses pay in from fifteen
to twenty days The native Cubans are
are professional men-lawyers doctors mu-
sicians, professors. dentists and the like
The rest are small agriculturists or insur-
gents. Believe me. the development of the
cuban trade will he the result of q combi-
nation of Spanish local knowledge and
American energy Native Cubans are not
traders But Spaniards in Cuba generally,
sentimental considerat tions aside will wei.
come the new trade conditions
This division of the people in Cuba with
he mt ffa1
and for whose benefit, for a time at least
govern the island. shows at once the diff
Guilty to be encountered and the duty to be
discharged. These Spanish merchants. so
highly cOmplimented. have taken no part
in the fight for independence They have
remained a home conducting such business
as survived, and giving assistance maybe
TO the cause Of Spain. Capital everywhere
is tinid. 1t hesitates to carry a gun. The
smell of gunpowder is not grateful to its
postrils. But the war is over, and these
men are now 20 be considered They are
described as honorable merchants. They
should be protected in every way in their
pursuits while they bow to the new author
ity- 1t is suggested that while they have
done nothing to bring it about. they are
secretly gratified that Spanish rule is ended
and larger opportunity is at hand. We
Neiil bSi4tNS t4lSti anu we trust tney may
improve the opportunity to the full. For
as they prosper. Cuba will prosper.
But the whole duty of the hour in Cuba
is not to the merchant-to the man of
property. The ''non--producer," as the
Cuban is ca ed-the professional man, the
dreamer, the small agriculturist-is entitled
to full measure of consideration. In fact
ne Is the man who has opened the pleasing
new vista to his country. He is the man
who took his life in his hands and for three
years endured the hardships of the jungle
hShting, starving. suffering but at all
times ready for the enemy and worrying
him relentlessly. The triumph achieved is
distinctly his. Spain would never have
been brought to bay but for him. 1t was
his revolt, his courage. his unfiagging pur-
pose which broke the Spanish power. and
brought the United States into the field as
a deliverer- Is the laborer not worthy of
his hire? Is the man who has borne the
heat and burden of the day to be thrust
aside in the hour of victory, and extin-
gulshed with sneer and a slander?
Hardly. The new government for Cuba
must be established for the benefit of all
the law-abiding people in the island with
as much regard shown for the protection
and safety of the smallest agriculturfst as
for the richest merchant in Havana.