New-York tribune., 1901-12-10
orp TESTIMONY ABOUT CUBA.

Mention has already been made in these
,,n ~ tho historic fact that unrest and
revolt in Cuba have arisen from the econohiic
burdens imposed by Spain. 1t Is interesting 10
recall that testimony to that erect mas peeh
moro than once given in official documents Oh
orr own government. Thus in Colonei Sanger
monumental Report on the Census OF ouoa'
published last year, particularly detaled anu
authoritative work. this circumstance was
.,r,- on,,basized The first serious oppo-
sition TO the insular government says that
ronort was brought about by the attempt 10
"enforce the government monopoly in tobacco.
";p 1717" Again and again in the century and
+braeouarters which followed similar causes
nroduced similar results There is very little
ouestion saws the report, that had the various
cantains general removed modified many
trade restrictions, in addition to some other
things .the dominion of Spain might have
.beea continued for years to come, as much
"of the political agitation would have been
avoided until an adjustment or the
economic situation would have brought peace
land prosperity to the people
That is our own American official testimony
upon the subject, and 1t is elaborated with much
circumstance and detail. Thus Colonel Sanger
reminds lis that conspicuous among the causes
which led to the outbreak of the Ten Years
War in 1868 was the 40 per cent ad yalorem
tariff which practically prohibited trade with
any country except Spain. In addition TO the
duty on imports there was levied in 1S2S an
export duty of four-ffths of cent pound on
sugar which was doubled IL the shipment WAS
in a non-Spansh vessel. This duty with slight
notifications remained in force until August /.
1891, when under the Mckinley tariff law and
under the Harrison administration. reciprocity
lAt., f'.rhu md tha limit
States. which enabled Cuban products to reach
their nearest and most natural market. "1n a
short time" says Colonel Sanger. nearly the
"entire trade of Cuba was transferred to the
United States and Cuba enjoyed a degree of
prosperity never before attained" But that
reciprocal arrangement ended by the i'll
devised Wilson ''perfdy and dishonor" tariff in
1894 and a few months later another and final
revolution began.
Now. are not seeking to sound any sensa-
tionai alarm. We not saying that If reci-
procity is not granted Cuba will revolt against
the United States. Such catastrophe implies
altogether too much folly and wickedness for
present consideration. But 1t may well he
asked if it is reasonable to expect Cuba to be
content with treatment from the United States
which it would not endure from Spain. A
Spanish export tax of 50 mills a pound on
sugar largely barred Cuba's chief product from
| its nearest and most natural market and
! drove the island to revolt And now we are
| barring it from the same market with duty of
| % mills pound. Is it reasonable to expect the
! Cubans TO be satisfied with such treatment:
| When they were subjects of Spain the United
! States was willing to grant them reciprocity
Surely it is not unreasonable for them to ask as
favorable treatment now that under our own
| tutelape they are abOut n hecnme a SeIf
| ing republic. Under the direction of Harrison
/ Blaine and Mckinley the United States gave
Cuba reciprocity and prosperity, and thus won
for itself nearly the entire trade of that island
! Under the Wilson tariff reciprocity was abol
| ished Cuban prosperity declined, and the trade
| of that island was lost to the United States al
| the rate of millions year. Certainly II should
not take Republicans of to-day long to choose
| between the two policies