The times., 1899-11-23

William o. Mcdowell. President Of jle Co /
b-u-Amzrican League. who ere il wash I
ington urging Cuban annexation and las /
reduction Of sugar duties, called On the
President yesterday. The delegation pre-
seated an address Of great length. which
vii be considered by the President al the
earliest opportunity.
Il Eas said after the meeting with the
President that the interview was entirely
satisfactory and that the President mani
Tested the greatest interest in the delega-
tons plan for placing the industrial and
commercial interests Of Cuba on a perma-
nent and prosperous basis. The members
OF The delegation spoke 10 the President Of
the strong sentiment in favor Of annexation,
but the political aspect Of Cuban regencra-
tlon was not discussed.
Secretary Gage said that on its face the
Cuban banking schzme seemed to be a
sound one, but he wished TO examine the
proposition very thoroughly before express
ing e definite opinion. He made an ap-
pointment 10 meet the delegation again this
afternoon ct o'clock when the subject
VIII be discussed in greater detail At a
subsequent time, Secretary Gage proposes,
The delegation should meet the Secretary OF
War, the Secretary Of the Treasury and
The Attorney General to discuss the matter
fully At The later conference Wallis L.
Mahleman, the Deputy Assistant Treasurer
OF the United States at New York. and Mr.
MaIstout President OF the Farmers Loan
and Trust Company. Of New York, will be
invited 10 participate
The address which the Cuban delegation
handed 20 the President follows in part:
The Cubans' Address.
We viii not repeat here in addressing
our words to you, what your Commission
er to Cuba and Porto Rico. Mr.. Robert p.
Porter. wrote 10 the Hon. Lyman J. Gage.
Secretary Of the Treasury Of the United
States, IN his report of November Is. 1888:
he only hope. then. said Mr. Porter.
for the renewal Of prosperity II Cuba is,
first the rehabilitation OF the sugar indus
Try secondly. a revival Of wo.k cn toba cco
plantations, and thirdly. a full complement
OF men in the mining districts These in
dustrics are the basis OF the prosperity Of
the island
II the sugar industry is rehab Hated
il Cuba. i the work IN tobacco p p-antsti5ns
is revived, II the mining industry is azaIu
manned, then, and al that time. bur not
before, the p2cihCatiOn OF the Island which
10 the honor and glory Of the United
States, was the only purpose Of the joint
resolution of Congress approved by you
On april 90 1898. viii be conzumaa Cd.
The question OF 5lf-gCyernmeut. OF
popular education. Of reasonable and vol
UntaTy submission 10 law and to the will
CT the majority. viii all be solved sa lis -ac-
t9-ily. without necessity Of military per-
suGsiCr OF persuasion Of any ether KIND.
lae happy day In which the crops of sugar
Tsach again as they can, the high wt ter
of
which the fertile sell of the tobacco C.s-
tgicrs begin 10 yield Cgain the Ticd crops
Ct former times, in wLjch the mineral re-
sources q the island aTs again attended e
and properly developed and in vii b the
powerful output O. wealth. thus derived,
is used. as il viii be under the wise and
benevolent guardianship of the United
States. ICL. as formerly vas the case ID
enrich Spain or Spanish individuals but
10 the exclusive benefit and advantage O.
the Cuban people.
Sources of wealth Drained
THAT the sources Of wealth in the island
Of Cuba had been drained out 70 almost ex-
hzustion when the period Of American oc-
orpation began, is a fact which admits Of
no dispute. The sugar crcp, which had
been I,C54.2l4 tons in 1884, and ! O0z 264
tons in 1885, suddenly fell down. thanks 10
The insurgents torch, 10 5G4 l25 tons in
1896. 264. $50 tons IN 1897. and 226 SIS tons
up 10 August. 1855. In 1894 there were on
The soil Of Cuba LOO sugar pantaticns
1sI coffee estates, S.s75 tobacco farms, Civ
ing occupation 70 about $4,000 peasants
s.2sS cattle ranches and 2, ,23S farms where
minor agricultural products were raised.
What was left OF all that under the p:oc,a-
nation CT Gen. Maxine Gomez and the
bandos q General Weyler is not unknown
il this country II there are now in Cuba
more than 145 sugar plantations, in any
Ehing which may approach running ord-r.
8 VIII be d surprise to the Cubans-
The Planters and Farmers Association
g. Cuba eutertains the conviction. found
e. upon its knowledge Of the condition Of
shings in Cuba, that the work Of reha6ill-
Iating the sugar industry and surviving
labor In the tCSaccO estates. can now be
easily undertaken. The great trouble which
the continuation Of the Cuban insurgent
army as a standing organization might
have caused TO be spprehended, having
been removed. no obstacle Of any kind
seems 20 present itself against attempting
now that noble and urgent work.
To rehabilitate the sugar industry and re-
vive the tobacco production capital and
labor are necessary. But labor viii De
plentiful il there is capital 10 pay f0g b..
Therefore the question dwindles down 10
the problem Of assisting agriculture in
raising funds without difficulty and with
out unnecessary sacrifices. whenever need
ed.
The creation Of agricultural banks,
which iu all parts Of the civilized world,
have proved so beneficial 10 agriculture
and agricultural interests. enabling the
planters and farmers 10 borrow money at
reduced rates Of interest. but with Sc
curity enough 10 make the banking opera
fiou itself a financial success IS an urgent,
imperious necessity in the island oi Cuba.
And as the undersi gued believe that you IN
the exercise Cf your powers can either
grant OF refer 10 Congress with favorable
racommeudatiCns. their petition 10 THIS re-
quest they beg leave 10 submit 10 yol Jn5
enclosed draft a. bases for the establish
uleut iu Cubs Of the said bank.
Appeal Against Discrimination
The creation OF the bank needs 10 be
rurpIemtnred with another measure Of
great importance Little would be gained
by making much sugar and raising much
tobacco II markets when they could be
sold. are closed TO them. II The newly
made treaties Hith the British West Indian
Islands are approved by Congress. Mr.
Porter says cuban sugar win De dscrim-
mated against and this discrimination
especially under tho present circumstance,
Is paramount 10 destruction. We, there
fore request you 10 extend or TO reconl-
mend TO Congress 90 extend 10 Cuba The
provisions of the conmarcial arrangements
lede between ihe United states and the
s'riush West Indies. or what perhaps might
e better mere praeti cable and tested b.
experience 10 revive the reciprocity ar-
Engagements made with Spain for Cuba and
rfee-I-frr7e l-r VCTr predecessor Pres den {