Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-05-13
PLANTERS
ALARMED
Cubans Fear Competition Of
Other Islands in Selling
Their Products.
Havana Paper Declares Inde-
pendent Government End
in Disaster.

WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE in.
dustrial interests of Cuba are begin
ming to perceive that their only saliva
ton is in the annexation of their little
island to the United States. They
nave learned of the efforts OF the sec.
retary OF agriculture to improve the
conditions of the planters of Porto Ri
co. Hawaii and the Philippine islands.
/ and realize that competition from
those islands is likely to prove disas-
trons to Cuba In the markets of the
United states unless her planters can
be admitted on the same terms.
The United States is the only mar
ket Tor Cuban products. and it is alb
soiutely necessary to the prosperity
or the Cubans. The grave danger to
which they are exposed by the devel-
/ opment of the agricultural Industries
of the other Islands is now serious
topic OF discussion In the Cuban press.
One of the leading newspapers of Ha-
vana calls attention to the impending
danger.
Without the use of ships or sol.
diers. and with only a few thousand
dollars 1t says. ''the department of
agriculture at Washington will estab-
lish over us "a terrible embargo. the
consequences OF which will be our en-
slavement to destitution. Secretary
Wilson intends that Porto Rico and
Hawaii shall furnish those articles
which his nation now buys from us. in
order that the money now expended in
foreign countries may remain within
the territory of the United States.
Secretary Wilson Is establishing ex-
pertinent stations in Porto Rico and
Hawaii to instruct the people what to
produce from the soil and how to do
it. Under his direction Porto Rico
will produce the coffee needed in the
United States. and large quantities
of pneapples. oranges. bananas. cocoa
nuts. vegetables and fruits which now
come from Cuba and the West Indies.
TO what market will we send the
fruits which are now actually the life
of some of the Cuban districts?
Porto Rico produces everything that
Cuba produces. and 1t belongs to them.
With that island, Florida and Cali
fornia, the markets OF the United
States will have no need OF MS. The
same development and Improvement
In the cultivation of cane will take
place in our sister island that is go
ing on In the Pacific islands in order
that only the smallest possible guam
tity of sugar may have to be purchas-
ed from other countries.
THE secretary OF agriculture pro
poses to encourage cattle raising and
the making of butter, cheese and 9TH
err dairy products in both possessions.
AS II this sOmber picture was not
enough. the paciflcation of the Phil
ippines is advancing. the rich soil of
which is to be terrible enemy OF
Cuba.
1T is not then In the ministry Of
war, but in the ministry OF agricul-
ture where the real danger to us ex-
lists. We are grossly in error when
we think that because we were once
sovereign we will he able to Ignore
the American market. For believ-
ing this Spain lost her foreign posses
sions. II she had not rejected the
reciprocity treaty. II she had conceded
commercial monopoly to the United
States, she, by sacrificing something.
would have saved her possessions.
Shall we undertake to carry rotten
pineapples into Germany. to force our
sugar into Russia and teach the ne
groes Of Africa to smoke? Where
are we to find markets when the
Americans close theirs to us? Peo-
ple who do not sell what they produce
die in nakedness. These things
should be considered by men who are
able to think"
This writer has accurately defined
the intentions OF the agricultural de
lpartment Secretary Wilson. not
satisfied with the advancement OF the
agricultural interests OF the United
States which has marked his foul
years in Office, is aiming to make the
country Independent OF Cuba by de
veloping the tropical resources OF oul
new islands. He has succeeded II
awakening many OF the southern farm
ers to the advantage OF diversified
crops and has persuaded them to rails
less cotton and more corn and bacon
! He has induced them to take mp cat
tie and sheep; the planters OF Louis