The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-07
STILL NOTHING Is DONE

Congress continues. to do its best to
blemish the proud record the United
States has made in it's work for Cuban
independence and regeneration. 1t is now
six months since congress met and as yet
nothing has been done for Cuba. A.
small number of men, who, on this
question are narrow and short-sight ed,
however liberal and far-seeing they may
be on other questions, have blocked legis-
1ation.
In the meantime the Cuban nation has
been launched with a small sum in the
treasury and great prospective expenses.
Still $40 100000 worth of sugar lies in
Havana waiting for congress to say the
word and ships and steamers idly await
the moment when they may sail away
with full cargoes.
Whatever relief may come now will be
small compared with what congress might
have given earlier. The long delay will
cause such immense amounts Of sugar to
be thrown on the market simultaneously
that the price will be greatly lowered to
the producer. The congressman who have
talked so much about the sugar trust are
playing into the hands Of the trust, which
will sooner or later buy that sugar.
The prosperity enjoyed by Cuba to-day
is artificial II congress does not do it's
duty in respect to trade with Cuba there
is bound to come terrible day of reckon
ing. Ole Havana banker says that his
bank can at any moment close the doors
of forty eight of the principal commercial
houses OF Cuba The time is coming when
their closing may be Inevitable. He told
q correspondent Of Worlds Work that
unless congress assists Cuba economically
as it has already assisted the island po-
iitically, I'VE are bound to be confronted
with a crisis that will shake the founda-
tons Of our island to its very CENTER"
He continued:
The Americans do not seem to believe US
when we tell these facts We are looked
upon by certain members of your congress
as bcggars who whine for aims We do not
ask charity. We are willing to return uuid
pro quo for every favor granted US. Your
own men here. like General Wood, have told
you of our situation over. and over again
They have not exaggerated anything GEL
erai Wood has studied the situation and lie
speaks from an experience of almost four
years. Why do you not believe him? Is he
not worthy Of confidence? Is he asking any
thing for his own pocket? Why do you talk
and argue and spend the waiting days de-
batting the pros and cons of a small tariff
reduction ON sugar when perfectly
willing to grant you adequate concessions in
return?
The reason is neither honorable nor
glorious. 1t is to- give a few cents more
Of protection to an infant industry that
does not need It, to gain few votes for
certain congressman, to perpetuate a
little longer an economic system that
fitted other days admirably but is not
suited to our times. When the financial
crisis comes in Cuba when the people
are Impoverished, the treasury empty and
rebellion threatened, these members of
congress will have something to answer
for.
One Of the jnexplicable things to the
people of Minnesota is that its congress-
men should to a man stand in the way Of
national duty and fair dealing The beet
sugar Industry in this state Is not at
present important. Less than 2,060 farm
ers grow sugar beets. The public opin-
ION OF the state Is overwhelmingly in IA
vor of reciprocity with Cuba. Yet our