The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-07-16
viii Have Great Advantage Over
Sister Islands Of the West
Indies
HISTORY MAY REPEAT ITSELF.
Hawaii's Sugar Production Has In
creased 1000 Per Cent Under
Free Admission to United
>. States-Bright Future
for the Island.

kk&8Q61AC 6ty0&1AxA
washington, July k-rhs action OF the
Porto Ricans In promptly accepting that
feature Of the Porto Rican act which au-
thorines Tree trade between the island and
tho United States 10 likely to give them
great Advantages over their sister Islands
OF the Wet Indies. At least this u Q rea-
eonabls conclusion from IN examination of
some figures just made public by the Treas
ury Bureau Of Statistics. regarding khe
prosperity which Hawaii enjoyed after the
reciprocity treaty which admitted the sugar
OF those island0 into the United States free
OF duty.
These figures show that the sugar pro-
duction OF the Hawaiian Islands has In
creased over 1000 per cent under the free
admission OF their sugar to the markets OF
the United States. while the other cane
sugar producing islands ana countries. dur
ing that time. have suffered great depres-
sion, and In many cases, heavy losses.
It was In 1876 that the reciprocity treaty
was made between the United States and
the Hawaiian Islands. Prior to that date
the average production OF sugar In the is
lands was only about &0oo.OO pounds per
aunun. In I'VE years the production had
trebled, In fifteen years 1t was ten times
as much, and IN twenty years twenty times
rs much a. before the treaty. Within less
than ten years after the ratification of the
treaty more than $90oo00oo of American
capital had been invested In the islands and
the total value OF the sugar production of
the islands since the treaty is $50 200. 900.
over other sugar producers is by reason Of
her ability to sell her sugar free OF duty in
From 1870 to 1853 Porto Rico has decreased
her production slightly: Cuba increased her
production from 1870 to 1895 Qher greatest
sugar year, only IS per cent; the cane-suEar
49, - a.n64 aAvv
10 lBSe only 50 per cent, and the beet sugar
same time. the Hawaiian production In
ersess ss. ssss @ 4 ess cent Commerce.
The increase in commerce between the
Hawaiian Islands and the United States,
chandise between these Islands and our
ports. II also illustrated by the fact that
the exports TO the Hawaiian Islands from
less than 100000 annually .' but rspidly in.
creased, until in 800. 1t was about $4,000
600. and recent report from the Collector
ure9 Tor the present year at $20000.000.
The commerce OF the islands IT, according
to the American Cyclopedia, an accepted
any other country in the r world. and nearly "
all OF Il n with the United States and car
yfed In American vessels.
The fact that this enormous increase in
production and commerce and wealth Of
the Hawaiian Islands has followed the free
dom OF trade with the United States. es-
tabltshed by the reciprocity treaty of 1876
suggests that the Porto Ricans are liable
to benefit by the same close trade relations
which they win have under the new law
which they have asked President Mckinley
10 put into operation on the 18th of the
present month.
The Hawaiian Islands are 5000 miles from
the Pacific Coast and 600 miles from
the great consuming centers of the United
States; while Porto Rico is only few
hundred miles distant. The sugar produc.
iion OF Porto Rico is now double that OF
the Hawaiian Islands in the year prior to
the adoption OF the reciprocity agreement.
productions Of Porto Rico will also have
the came advantages Of free admission to
the markets OF the United States In COM
petition with tho dutiable products OF her
sister islands OF the West Indies and Of the
world.
Carse - the West ladies.
:. No equal area of the world IL distributed
among 80 many nations as the West Indies.
Great Britain has the Bahamas. Jamaica.
81. Christopher. Nevis. Antigua, Bermuda.
Dominica. st. Vincent. Grenada, and Grena-
{ dimes. Barbados. Virgin Islande lin part).
Aouteerrat, Redonda and st.. Lucia. The
two Republic Of Hayu are independent.
The status Of Cuba and the Isle OF Pines
has not yet been determined. Porto Rico.
Viequex. Mona and Culebra are American.
bartholomew. Guadeioupe, Maria Galante,
De1efade. Les Saintes and Martinique, st.
DugtAtius. Saba, Curacao. Buen Ayre and
0e1h4 are colonies OF Holland. France and
Holland together control st. Martin. ST.
- 1Sssns, p John and 81. croix belong to
Ths AASs ct ave nations noat over the
/ VT ln4ee- thoee Of Great Britain, the
CAlte4 01Axel France. Holland and Den.
49, 1ne naes Of twp 1epnbsic noat over