The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-02-25
CCB.f.
The Revival of Industry and the Washing
ton Admini.tr ratio

VS.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sir. l have
read with great interest and appreciation the
letter Of Mr.. Akers in Yesterdays SuS on The
Cuban Island To-day" This letter, presenting
a clear summary Of the Cuban situation to
date. has an added value as coming from an
acute and intelligent foreign observer. Prob
ably the majority OF those who givsthe subject
any attention at all believe that tobacco is
Cuba's strong point. This is far from being
the truth. 1t Ia sugar and not tobacco upon
which the prosperity Of Cuba depends. Mr..
Akers Ia perfectly correct in saying that sugar
production has been for many years the
backbone OF Cuban industry. Tobacco GER
tainly comes next, but as very bad
second, and apart from this it may be
safely affirmed that the prosperity Of Cuba Is
based On sugar and rises or falls according to
the money value OF the sugar crop. This is
not because the island cannot produce other
things on the contrary it is probable that no
where else upon the earth's surface can be
found $1,000 square miles Of more generally
productive area lying in one block. than those
which form the extent OF the island OF Cuba.
II il because circumstances have gradually led
to the special development OF that particular
crop. Just as they did formerly to cotton raising
In the South. The day will come when indus.
trial operations in Cuba will be extended over
a far vaster field. but for the present it IL IN.
wise to devote much systematic attention to
what for a long time to come must be side
issues.
The successful making Of sugar demands an
enormous cash capital. 1t would be startling
to realize the large sums which have been in
Vested in the past in the vast development Of
this industry in Cuba During the revolution
not only was tho prosecution Of the industry
almost wholly abandoned. but still worse,
enormous fields OF cane were burned and many
sugar works wholly or partly wrecked. This
wholesale devastation represented the wiping
out Of millions Of capital. Very slowly the
business is %rcyiyinG. Hero ard ther re- fields are
being replanted and "inIenios" started NJ, and
IA Mr. Akcrs says, the output is increasing.
But the process IS too slow, and all the magni-
hceut work done and contemplated BY the
American authorities In the way Of education,
sanitation. legal reforms, &c. will be largely
in vain II not followed up by wealth. prod ucing
business.
The two essential conditions for ~satisfac-
/ tory revival OF pros UcritY in Cuba. that -,
bringing the isIand back To- tho favorable con-
dillon IN which Il was at tho beginning OF the
revolution. ar cash capital and a stable. gov
eminent. The money must be- borrowed, and
to borrow the security must be good. Un'or-
~tunately the ill-Iudgel. though well meaning
act extending tbs payment OF interest aid date
" foreclosure 81 mortgages, instead Of allow
ing such extensions 10 he made hy mutual
agreement between debtor ans creditor. has
strurk astaEg"rn. blow ~ the credit Of tho
ISLAND. ana hH' not only merely deferred the
ineHitahle crash which must pr"ccle the new
departure. ~ has destroyed cot nirnce in the
ecurlty winch must he pie ged before
tho large amounts Necessary u start up
the business 'au be obta ned. In this
respect therefor, the ,lrst necessity Is the
can be borrowed. '
The second ondition-second merely in or
der, though not in !muDrtance-s a stable form
OF government. What Cuba is destined 10 he
come when she shall be blessed by n form ~
government which Is not only nXod ana s,rnno
but also wise and brnen"rnt. ia Leynni tho
power Of prophecy and belongs to he tiaId Of
conjecture. ant for the ro~' toes not n, nr,"apt
concern Us. The point to b" u,.stirrrJ /. WIT
this TORN shau b. ana bow t T., 10 h., trouybi
about. lTe"Irl'utc 1ctlN. I'D. a.. -,II ~
"ntcrvenIug power Is to be- lcf.pc,t.J "qSb,
island j. IN travail and natural 'pfrrs mus, IN.
allowed the greatest possible freedom ni aot ON
in order that the result rCay not prove an abor.
ton. The motto should be. Go slow. hnt 90 ),
Recent events a,ud appointments Indicate that
the situation Ii thoroughly grpsred BIZ the