Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1901-11-07
TRADE WITH CUBA
To- TAX CONGRESS
SUGAR GROWING INTERESTS TO
sELIvELY ISSUE WHEN con-
eREss coNvENEs.

-
WARRINGTON, Nov. 1.-THE question
as to}what tariff arrangements will be
made between the United States and Gu
ba at the next congress is a live topic
In the sugar-growing states Of this coun-
try and also In Europe. While the agita-
ton for free trade with Cuba is by no
means in any immediate hope of consum-
nation. foreign countries that export ar
ticles of commerce to the United States
fear that there is such friendly feeling
between the United States and Cuba that
their products will suffer because Of con-
cessions granted to the 0ubans It would
be natural to suppose that the United
States would be more conciliatory TO Gu
ba in the matter of tariffs than to any
other country on account of the friendly
relations that have existed. While the
fear of European nations in this respect
appears not entirely well founded. still
the prospect of tariff notifications between
Cuba and the United States indicates that
they have some ground for apprehension.
l The American consul general at Berlin.
Frank H. Mason, has sent to the state
department a report on what he terms
the impending crisis in European sugar.
He says that II is generally recognized
that the beet sugar industry of Central
Europe is approaching a critical con-
juncture. Germany. Austria-Hungary,
France and Russia are now gathering
sugar far surprising in quantity that of
any previous year. This overwhelming
production, he says, comes unfortunately
for Germany at time when industrial
depression and a short wheat and rye
crop have seriously reducted the purchas-
ing capacity of the poorer classes so that
a high commercial authority estimates
the decline in sugar consumption in Ger
many alone during the fiscal year 10000
at Is. 900 tons. To complete and still furth-
er darlxen the shadow, Cuba has reap.
peared as a vigorous and threatening
competitors in the United States, which
during the past four years has taken an
average of 2SS, 900 metric tons of German
sugar valued roughly at s12,6l4,00o per an
num- 49,. .-1
Under these conditions the price of
sugar has fallen in the controlling market
at Madgeburg 10 the lowest point reached
during the critical year 1S94-S5, from
which it. was rescued by an advance in
the export duty and a constantly increas-
ing home consumption OF sugar. which
was then favored by prosperous indus
tries and growing export trade. which
steadily augmented the comfort and pur-
chasing power of a large percentage Of
the German people. Now, however, II is
generally recognized that the only rene
dy in Germany will be in the direction
of diminishing production, and the chief
clares. that a definite and important re-
striction of the beet sugar area to be
planted next spring has become an un-
avoidahle necessity.
. For these obvious reasons, says the con-
sun, great interest has been awakened
throughout Germany by the recent visit
to washington of the encouragement
\ of Cuba, and the conviction Is growing
that, notwithstanding all doubts and sus-
picions, Cuba is really about to begin
the career OF an Independent state under
the generous and sympathetic protection
of the United States and under conditions
that will favor the development of the
sugar industry of the island to a point
above the highest productrveness Of for
mer years. The obvious and sustained
friendliness Of the United States govern
ment, he says, to Cuba, the impending In
crease OF sugar production in Porto Rico.
Hawaii and the Philippines, added to the
steady and rapid development OF the beet
sugar industry throughout large area Of
the United States, all point to an newt
able and definite decline In European ex-
ports to our country, and confirm the
judgment of those who foresee the only
effective remedy for rulnously low prices
will be systematic reduction of beet
area and product.