New-York tribune., 1901-12-07
Urgency N CTBi.

The Cuban petition to Congress for CONNER
ciaI relief puts the utmost demands. or DESIRES
of that island into explicit and tangible Iorih'
and affords a definite basis for action. brleiy
| stated the petitioners want the duty on u1fe
fined sugar wholly abolished and the duties on
other things which they sell us reduced one
half in return for which they propose one-hah
reduction of all Cuban duties in favor OF the
United States. 1t is legitimate TO inquire
| whether a complete abolition of the sugar duty
is necessary for their welfare or deslrapie.
There was it will be remembered, Such an apo
Ition in 1892 '93- "a, under the Mckinney tarlu'
which resulted in q considerable increase OF Ihe
Cuban sugar trade with this country. II may
be desirable TO return TO the system adopteu ny
Mckinley and TO remove the tariff which was
reimposed by the Wilson bill. and which, be-
cause of the Democratic-made deficit. had to be
retained for a time under the Dingley BILL Or
il NAV be that mere reduction of the sugar
tariff in the case of Cuba would be better. That
is a matter for careful and expert considera-
zion What seems 10 he indisputable is the
urgent need of doing something in the case,
and of doing it at the earliest possible mo-
meut. The problem may not be n simple
one There must be due deliberatiOn, TO avoid
the perils which always beset precipitate action.
But no time should be wasted. The subject is
not one TO he put into the pigeonhole marked
"Mailana.'
This is the situation understand it: The
season for grinding sugar cane is now at hand
in Cuba. But in the case Of nine-tenths or the
planters the price of sugar is quoted at from
one-fourth TO threefourths of cent below the
cost of production and in the absence of better
terms in the American market there is no prom
ise of an increase in price. Cuban planters are
no more inclined than any other men to do busl-
ness at a loss. and if it will not pay them 10 cut
and crush the cane they will not do it, but VIII
let the crop go TO waste 1t is better TO let the
crop as 1t stands be lost than to spend more
money on il, and then lose the whole. And
there are few of them who have sufficient means
to 90 on with the cutting and crushing, trust
fng to possible but by no means certain rise
sufficient TO give them profit. OF course.
general abandonment of the crop in the fields
would mean heavy losses-n many cases ruin
10 the planters TO bankers who have advanced
money on the crops. TO merchants and TO the
thousands of men who would be thrown out OF
ernployment In brief, it would mean disaster
throughout the island. and that is something the
United States cannot we'll afford. 1t would be
lamentable, indeed, 10 have it recorded that
three years United States administration had
resulted in the economic wreck of Cuba.
The situation is doubtless in many ways COM
plicated. Any arrangement which may be made
now will necessarily be temporary. to serve
only until Cuban government is established
which will be competent to negotiate a regular
commercial treaty with this country. And that
fact should serve as additional incentive TO
expedition in the establishment of such
government. Complications are not insuperable
obstacles 1t ought to be possible, without reck-
less precipitation, 10 do something by. let US say,
the first of February that will save the Cuban
sugar crop, and will save the island itself from
a calamity which might make it necessary for
us either to feed thousands of destitute Cubans
or to send thousands of troops thther to preserve
order The Cuban need is urgent. and the
urgency, like the need itself, appeals strongly
/ on the grounds of national interest and of ma
| tional honor.