The Hawaiian gazette., 1899-06-16
CUBA AND THE LABOR SUPPLY.

CUBA AND The LAbOh StrFLh.
The enterprising planters Of Louisi-
ana watch and study the reconstruc-
ton of the sugar industry OF Cnba
with the closest interest. For in this
industry lies menace to the sugar In
dustries of Louisiana and Hawaii, as
every planter reluctantly admits. One
of the most intelligent Of these plant
ers has recently visited Cuba, end
made a close, and apparently fair, re.
port on the changing conditions OF the
industry. He reports, as others re-
port, that the industry will not begin
to affect the sugar markets of the
world until about five years have
passed.
One of the most uncertain factors
In the estimate of its growth is the
political situation. IL the Cubans, as
an entire community, submit to Amer
lean rule. and peace prevails. the
financial situation will surely improve.
Bankrupt estates, and planters anu
bankers financially crippled, re-
quire much time TO reconstruct
their affairs, and even II American en-
terprise makes itself felt, ii cannot
make the progress that 1t does at
home. But the attitude Of the Gu
bans is uncertain. The military COM
manders are not confident Of perma-
nent peace. II cannot be presumed
that many thousands of the ignorant
population are intelligent enough TO
understand the real intentions OF the
American people In occupying the ISL
and. Some disturbances must be ex-
pected. II they are at all serious,
there will be, of course, delay in ar
ranging business affairs.
| Even with population OF one and a
quarter millions. there will be a def
cheney in the labor supply. The ma
jority OF native laborers on the island
prefer to cultivate small parcels OF
land as Independent proprietors. how
ever small the returns are, because
independent cultivators command
their own time. and are not over
worked.
The Cuban planters are already con
sidering the matter OF importing ltal'
ian laborers, because the cost OF Sc
curing them will be small. Whether
the Italian Government will permit an
emigration remains an open question.
If Cuba is permitted by the United
States to be an Independent state, II
may freely draw on China and Japar
for laborers. But the drift of opinion
is that 1t will finally be annexed to th'
United States, either as territory
with the prevailing territorial rights
or as a colony, governed by specia
laws. II annexation takes place, tn
sugar product will undoubtedly injur
the sugar industry of Louisiana AM
Hawaii.
Should Congress hold Cuba, as col
ony, and maintain discriminating
tariff against her, will Congress permi
the Cuban planters to freely import Ia
Dor from any country, or will 1t ex
tend the immigration laws of tn
United States To the island?
II is improbable that Congress woui,
discriminate against Cuban sugar, ant
at the same time, cut OF ASSISTED
immigration. Whatever may be sal
about the present situation of Cubs
the manifest destiny Of the island
E its annexation TO the United States
; with a full share In the benefits OF tn
9 tariff laws. Enterprislng men, wit
l capital, will organize political fore
5 which will secure freedom OF trad
y with the Mainland The spirit and lie
u ter Of the Constitution, the eXporlen,
, Of the people Is opposed to !nterni
J. tariffs, Single Interests, like the sug'
j. beet, the tobacco ana the fruit, ma
secure internal tariffs for a while, bl
u In the long run the policy OF 40 int
o nal restriction OF trade viii prevail,