The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-01-29
Cuban Industries Greatly Depressed.
THE MAJORITY OF INHABITANTS
READY FOR ANNEXATION.

Washington, Jan. 25.-Col. Tasker
Bliss. the United States army officer,
detailed as collector OF custom at Ha-
bana, was before the ways and means
committee today concerning the Gu-
ban reciprocity. In opening. this
statement he disclaimed authority as
sugar expert and said his knowledge
was confined to that Of nobserver for
three years in an official position,
dealing with the trade of Cuba. This
had led him to hope that if there
was any change in the tariff it would
be such an adjustment as would throw
into the hands of the United States
the large amount of Cuban trade now
taken by foreign countries.
Speaking first Of the condition OF the
Cuban industry, he said it was great
" depressed. The leading Habana
banks were refusing further credits TO
the sugar planters, and when this oc-
Cured it was sure evidence OF the
distress of the plantations. He rough
" estimated the sugar industry OF the
island at $500, 600, 900 and said about
three-fourths of the people we're de-
pendent in one way or another on the
sugar industry. -.
Chairman Payne asked Col. Bliss
to specify what advantages the
United States could gain from Cuba
and Mr.. Payne also called attention to
the low tariff rate Cuba imposed
against the United States.
Col. Bliss said the average ad valo--
rem rate was about 21 per cent. and
he presented tables, designed to show
how a tariff readiustmen5 could throw
practically all of the Cuban trade into
the hands of American producers:
At present, he said, Cuba bought
s66, coo, 600 of which the United States
furnished s2s, Ats, 600, and the balance
of about s37, 600, 0o0 came from foreign
countries. On many articles such as
fresh beef, railroad iron and other
specified articles, the United States
had practical monopoly Of the
trade. But on many other articles,
totaling about s45, 600, 600 the United
States had but $4,000, 600 of the
trade.
"Bv a reasonable MODIFICATION of
the Cuban tariff. - said Col. Bliss, " at
least ee per cent. of this trade can be
thrown to the United States
He submitted list of articles on
which diferential of about 50 per
cent. favorable to the United States as
against other foreign countries would
give Us the trade. In reporting on
this to the war department the condl-
tion had been imposed upon him rot
to reduce the revenues of Cuba. I'm
der such circumstances, he thought it
would be necessary to hrst raise
Cuba's tariff rates, for purposes OF
revenue, and then with sufficient
diferential to give the United States
the control of the trade. This he put
forward only tentatively as one Of seve-
raj plans proposed to the war depart
ment.
The members of the committee ones
toned Col. Bliss on the details Of the
proposed readjustment. In the course
of the examination Representative
Newlands of Nevada suggested that
without our political control of Cuba
there might be servile labor to compete
with American labor. He added:
y Are the Cuban people prepared to
come lNGO pOIlIlCdl 1S1doGIOio "10O VIZ
United States?'
Il think great majority OF the
Cubans are ready to come in,' Col.
As Territory or as state:" ask
ed Mr.. Newlands.
"They would be glad to come in as
State or a Territory, or under the
military authority, almost in any way
in order to come under the authority
of the United States.
eff invited to come in first as a
Territory, then as a State, would this
be accepted?''
''I think it would"
Continuing on this topic Col.
Bliss said he thought commercial
union with Cuba would postpone poll
tical union. Personally he was not
convinced of the wisdom of annexa-
tion. The feeling in Cuba was one OF
readiness to accept any conditions
the United States might impose.
Louis Place and Mr.. Mendoza of the
Cuban delegation were heard briefly.