The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1899-12-01
CUBAN CANE LAND
Not Rsplalted for Fear d tie
Usual Revolutions.
POLITICAL TROUBLE KEPT up
Every One on the Island Who Has
Property Wants American
Rule IN Future.

NEW YORK, Nov. 2O.-Dr. Joseph
L. Hance, who for four years preced-
ing the war between this country and
Spain was United States Consul at
Cardenas, Cuba, has Just returned
from Cuba. He went there last June
to attend to some legal business and
to make himself familiar with condi-
tions throughout the island. He Jour-
neyed on horseback In almost every
part Of Cuba, visiting especially many
of the large sugar plantations.
Public opinion in America he
vana. There you get only one side of
the story. and the least important eide
as regards questions of naturalization.
It Ii necessary to visit the large agri-
cultural and mining interests Of the
country, especially the sugar planta.
tions. Sugar Is rarely seen on any of
the plantations now. In the provinces
of Havana and Santa Clara / 900 mills
and all the cane have been destroyed.
Adventures have promulgated the
idea that planters will not have ade-
quate protection in Cuba, and there
fore nothing is being done toward re-
planting. the burned fields, or replac-
ing the machinery. This, too, in spite
Of the fact that some OF the best land
in Cuba can now be had cheap. Outside
Of Havana, the political agitation that
is kept up Is greatly deplOred. Every
one on the island who has any proper
ty at stake desires a continuance of
American occupation or any form
of government under our protection
that will afford stability.
There Is one thing that strikes me,
as a lawyer, as being of more impOr-
lance than laymen seem to be aware,
of. l think matter Of prime impor-
lance Is the immediate appointment of
a commission to thoroughly revise the
Spanish code now prevailing In Cuba
CUBANS WANT ANNEXATION.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 19.-The first
formal suggestion that the annexation
of Cuba Is desired by Cubans will be
made to President Mckinley tomor-
row.
A delegation consisting of Alvaristo
MantalvO, a rich Cuban planter, and
Francisco Figueras, editor of the Epo-
ca, an annexation paper Of Havana.
and accompanied by William O. Nc
DOwell, president of the Cuban-Amer-
lean League, arrived here tonight and
tomorrow will begin a series of calls
on the President, Secretary Root and
Secretary Gage to discuss the future
of the island.
i This delegation represents the Board
of Agriculture of Cuba and the primary
object of their visit Is to secure a re-
duction Of the duty on sugar, placing
Cuba at least on a par with British
colonies under the reciprocity treaty,
and such other concessions in behalf of
Cuban producers as will enable them
to re-establish the industries of the
island.
The sugar industries of Cuba are
Frustrated and mortgaged to the Span
iards to the extent of 100000 and
upon this debt an interest of 40 per
cent is paid. 1t is the intention Of the
delegates to have a comfortable bal
ance with which to work the planta-
tons of the Cubans. The delegates;
have already consulted New York
financiers, who have promised to ad-
vance the money. providing some as
surances can be given that 1t will be
safe to do so. This, of course, means
that the United States should remain
in the island indefinitely, and eventu-
ally annexation. While the mission OF
the delegates is apparent as a commev-
cial one, they would naturally speak
Of the political situation to the Presi-
dent and tell him of the growing de-
mand" for annexation.
President Mcdowell of the Cuban.
? American League. who is an enthusi.
> astic annexationist, said:
Cuba has but one future, and that IL
annexation to the United States. The
substantial men OF Cuba, which, OF
, course, means the property owners. art
, unanimously in favor OF annexation.
nropose to take advantage Of this oc'
casion to present the matter to Presi
dent Mckinley. II vote should bt
taken IN Cuba under the old Spanish
law, which is now in force, and re-
quires voter to pay taxes to the val
lie of $25 before he Is permitted tC
} vote at the municipal elections, ant
$50 to enable him to cast his ballot IL
the governmental elections, It would
be unanimous for annexation"
The Administration will receive the
delegation cordially. This Is evidently
! the beginning OF the Republican plar
to annex Cuba as soon as possible. an,
thus obviate the establishment of AZ
independent government.