The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-03-14
A TAX DISPUTE IN CUBA.
PLdN TERS OBJECT 10 4 PLAN 10
RAISE INTERNAL RFvEATE.

Gov, wood to Decide Whether n special
Tax shall he Inid On sugar and Tobacco
-secr.tary Roots Callers Mr.. Ituncls
10 stay-spaninrds Who Don't Register.
SPECIAL can, De,pr,ch 10 Tue srS.
HAVANA, March - The commission which
n engaged In working ou' "a system Of inter-
nal revenue for the island has got into n
tanvls which will require Governor General
Woods adjudication. Strangely enough.
Horatio Rubens. the American membc OF the
commission. II lighting TO prevent the taxa
tion OF the sugar and tobacco interests. while
sub- secretary Of the Treasury Cancio. who Is
Cuban. has planned to tax sugar ~ cents
A bag and tobacco settings from 10 10 20 cents
n p,ant, the proceeds to be devoted TO rebuild
ing the highways. which are now in "a de-
plorabls condition. hinderins III" proper de-
velopment OF the sugar and tobacco industries.
Mr.. Rubens opposes these taxes on the
ground that sugar and tobacco are the bases Of
tho islands wealth. Tn" strain Of the war has
fallen most heavily on the planters. whose es-
sates. II not ruined. are encountered by enor-
nous mortgages. Nj. Rubens argues that to
nut an Increased burden OF taxation on the
planters. who are already discouraged, would
tend not only to decrease their profits. but also
to deter those who have not begun tho re-
hab.litation OF their estates from undertaking
Il. He points out that the last revolution
was brought on by the sugar planters
because Of Spanish aggression. The Planters
Association Is in full accord with Mr.. Euhens.
When the question comes before Gen. Wood
this association will use It's influence to pre-
vent the imposition 81 the proposed taxes. A
committee headed by Mayor lacostc. President
OF the association. visited Secretary Of War
Root to-day. and there was a general discus
sion II tho outlook.
Most Of Mr.. Roots day was taken up by
visitors, many deputations calling on him,
Certainly no complaint Is now justified among
the Cubans that the Secretary Is bottled up,
after the numbe OF visitors he received to-day.
Tomorrow Mr.. Root and gen. Wood will go by
boat 10 Marianao. The Secretary will probably
remain here the rest of the week. He will not
20 to Cienfuegos owing to lack OF time
The Cuban papers are still munchinG the
Runcie cud. some insist that he should leave
the island. which, naturally. he refuses to do
until he is SO disposed His position is pecul-
FAR. He has accepted no pay for any OF the
work he has done here. He Is not an Office
holder nor a carpet Dagger in any sense. He
was under obligations to Gen. Wood and was
here as his friend to give him advice when
Called upon Nntn lne NOIIN american
Eerie,n published the article which led to
his trouble with the Cubans he ceased all
work on the Finance. Law anu Electoral
commissions. Though for obvious reasons no
announcement was made u his retirement.
bis resignation was rendered before the storm
broke. 80 that really he was not forced out by
the howl. Never having been a paid en- ployee
OF the intervening Government, he feels that
be ia entitled to stay here as long as he ~pleases.
and to speak now a. no pleases without the
possibility Of the accusation being made against
him that he is di.gruntled by the loss OF his
place.
The Spanish leaders are reported to be exer-
Sised over the fact that CON paratively few
epaniards are preserving their nationality by
Registration. 1t would be impossible now for
BIZ who have not registered to do so II they
wished. as there is not sufficient time remain
he. The Spanish Club at Matanzas has issued
] circular on this su inject setting forth the ad-
bantases OF retaining Spanish citizenship. 1t
3 hoped that this will increase the registra-
Mons,