New-York tribune., 1902-02-09

Havana, Feb. 4 CSpeciaD.-The political stu
alton in Cuba gains daily in interest in face or
the urgent economic crisis. Local papers are
openly coverty suggesting the resignation Of
President Palma-with the attendant delay IN
establishing independent government-as
last card to be played in case Congress refuses
trade concessions. This does not imply. how
ever, any real growth of the annexation senti-
ment While many favor annexation. without
doubt an enormous majority in Havana, and
still more in other parts of the island, want
complete autonomy. And while the election
seems 70 show that the absolute independence"
party. which opposes the Patt amendment, is
in a minority, yet. if sentiment alone were con-
sidered and not simply acquiescenCe in a neces-
sary policy. this dissenting minority might
easily become a majority. Annexation forced
by economic pressure would he morally weak
in Cuba if it were imposed by military power.
American obligations TO Cuba do not rest upon
the claim that the United States took Cuba's
main market away from her when II secured her
independence from Spain. Her principal
ket has been in recent times in the United
States During the last decade the United
States took S523,O 100000 in Cuban products. and
Spain took S47.2s0O00. The United States
pended more than SO for Cuban products for
every dollar that Spain spent.
But the Cubans' plea for trade concessions
is no less just and urgent for this reason
are the considerations that dictate reciprocity
as the best policy for the American Govern
ment less powerful. If under the Platt amend
ment the United States is TO make Cuba part of
a national lire Of military defence, ii do
so more effectively than by making the island
populous and prosperous economic unit, bound
to the mainland by close commercial ties? And
treating the matter merely as a trade relation
does not the United States get as much as it
gives by the bargain? As a Cuban merchant
riyEa II ~H-Tc ia h2
essentially North American country and Havana
a prosperous United States port. or TO make her
an essentially South American country ana
Havana a Monte Carlo"
HOW AMERICANS MAY GET THE TRADE
American exporters cannot control the Cuban
market at present without absolute economic
advantage resting on tariff favors. With Cuban
freights going TO the United States. one might
expect that transportation advantages would
give the United States command of the situa-
tion. But this is not the case. Habit, taste
and prejudice have much to do IN establishing
market conditions. The common people think
that American goods are not trustworthy.
syrian pedler selling notions furnishing goodS
and cheap jewelry brought down from New
York could not dispose Of his stock at the same
price which he could sell inferior French
and Spanish goods. bought at a local importers,
on of this popular prejudice. As he
himself expressed ii. he was Obliged to give
poor bargains 10 get the trade" Similarly in
the building trades, tile and structural iron
come from Spain, though the engineering de-
has seventy-four buildings planned or under
construction. finds materials imported from the
States cheaper and better. The fact, however,
that native construction is not exact and not
standardized so that Cuban contractors and
architects continually requiring special sizes
in ironwork, gives advantage TO small and
local manufacturers. Two Havana saWmllls,
employed in saving the native cedar used in
making cigar boxes and for interior and cabinet
work have recently installed new machinery.
One bought its equipment in the United States,
rhe other in France On every hand one sees
American goods which
either is not entered or is divided Reciprocity
would make il entirely American.
The necessity for immediate action is urgent
The first cargoes of this years crop are now
leaving port. vessel sailed for New-York
from Havana yesterday with over 1000 tons OF
sugar, $500 bales of tobacco and ll5o.Oo
cigars on board. 1t is safe to say that much
of this has been sold at loss While the con-
ditions that produce this result to some
extent ne>y, II is not safe TO assume that they
will prove temporary. Cubans honestly believe
that II they lose their market in the United
States this year. cane raising the principal in
dustry Of the island. Will TO exist That
is why they are beginning 10 sell although at
loss. They will continue to do So even on a
falling market, because financially unable to
hold their crops. Cuban planters do not rep
resent a consolidated industry-a great trust
like the government fostered sugar cartel OF
Germany Burdened with the losses and debts
of the war, they cannot fight on equal terms the
subsidized producers OF Europe 1t Is by no
means improbable that their belief that the
American Government by delay and inacton
destroy permanently the Cuban sugar IN
dustry Is well grounded, If this should be the
result and the United States should leave a
large part of Cuba to economic distress, the out
come would not be one upon which American
statesmen could especially congratulate them
selves.
PAPERS READ FOR ENTERTAINMENT.
The lack of understanding OF the situation
shown by the local papers is fairly appalling.
One readily believe the statement made here
that Havana compositors better paiG than
Havana editors. Their discussions Of the
nOmic condition is largely confined TO abuse of
the United States Government and especially
Of the Ways and Means Committee Little of
this spirit is found among the large merchants
and planters, and those specially Interested in
securing trade concessions. One occasionally
wonders if the Cubans take their papers
seriously. The cigarmakers in the large fac
tories employ read the daily papers to
them they Work-"for entertainment as one
of them explained
And instruction too?' I inquired.
An expressive shrug of the shoulders was my
only reply.
The hint that Havana may become an Ameri-
can Monte Carlo is rather suggestive. There is
a good deal of aXity of sentiment here with
gard 10 moral reforms. Some of the papers are
advocating the establishment of a lottery to
pay for new pavements, sewers and other city
in prOvements. With the fear of fever abated
tourist traffic is increasing. The better hotels
are well patronized and being
opened. When Cuban officials are in full con-
troll and a well eStah ahliShed tourist custom is
assured. Havana viii doubtless afford a tempt
ing field for promoters of enterprises that are
more conveniently carried the border.
What attitude the native government viii as
sumo is of course. uncertain, but il is openly
hinted that aIiurng financial offers will greet
the FIRST municipal officials in Havana under the
republic.
HOME NEWS.