New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-07-06
SUGAR PLANTERS PLIGHT.
CONSUL SAWTER'S LETTER CONFIRMS
REPORTS OF DISTRESS IN CUBA.
ny TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBrNr. !

by TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
asiiIheIo Ton Jlly 5.-As corroborative Of the
ports OF distressing Industrial conditions and pros
poets IN Cuba the following correspondence has
been given out at the State Department. An
igua, whence Consul George Sawter reports is a
BRUSH possession in the West Indies and its prin-
clpal product, like Cuba, is sugar. Under date Of
May 80 Consul Sewter writes 10 Assistant Secretary
Hin:
SIR: beg to submit herewith for the informa-
Ion o. the department petition forwarded by
Snamberlain. OF the British Colonial once appeal
'-f ior a nearing and financial assistance.
II is fact that the sugar estates in the British
West Indies are in serious plight The heart has
has benumbed their eergies and they are Showing
many Of Ibs disIricts nTt ~ Tscess E"os pa
set in-not lawlessness. but responsibility
Is increasing and more open and certainly tbe re-
cent increase OF IS per cent in the illegitimacy
rates gives evidence OF this.
In recent interview with the. clergy al An
tgua they tell me it is difficult DO success
tul work, and many are getting respondent The
reason OF this indifference is not far TO seek. Ev
whore people have no money TO procure healthy
allied and resort TO low forms Of 8isasure The
Bs6g IF syoe IN An[ga fo s9sthng S
Lnat strong feeling of resentment is being created
it hG saa hs 2s Is Rq5 { Bs4e5gg y @
cfeasing IT, ana retarding energy and enterprise
instead OF stimulating them.
PLANTERS PETITION TO CHAMBERLAIN.
I append herewith the petition. deening it time
y and Of interest TO our government
'Apri s.
Sir: We have the honor to call your attention 20
ne critical position in which the sugar INDUSTRY Of
thst ne ie5 boIti e@ p1Ge, DHe r ~ "a ree5
70 at Brussels viii not take effect until September
best Of our ability what the nediate result IS
likely TO be, and what. in opinion. it is essen
tisl should be done by his majesty's government
to enable the industry to survive the intervening
seeond.ws wish t. say that We have no doubt 5.
that the convent9n II It comes INTO operation vii
solve the West Indian problem but IN Iaee hTsI
pace ne coaxe s mas nor psen p an
so That until that time arrives the sugar ndqstEy
81 t1e ToEo so 20 l az Is }sre ~ gcerTa
except regards the European beet sugar pro
auction. The beet sugar crop which is about to ne
viii continue 10 receive the enormous bounties
''Third-There is consequently. in opinion,
mediate future and the question to be considered
is whether sugar production Of our West indian Indian
colonies can be continued under the existing strain
-Fourth-We have no hesitation in saying that #
nothing is done this viii be impossi ole We admit
thai there may Dc 6srta number o. Of 6n 6 P59
vEentfon coming into force viii continue 10 carry
prietOFs will be unable to do Moreover. those
who 90 continue will reduce the amount they aIQW
eVeryVhere reduced to the detriment the estates
and the working classes depend t upon l9e ana
IS n 66uB wei SSR RnoWR 10 yog sir that the effect
OF the bounties has been immensely aggravated
G fem Of As Ausfria and Germany and hence has
arisen the apparently rapid development OF crisis
West Indies for the last twenty-five years We
os the critical condtion Of these COLONIES but we
feel that We should be falling n our quty qiG we
Of the position We who have signed this letter
are mainly ihstrunental IN proylalne TOT CARVING
on the estates Many Of US VIII lose heaEly y
the present crop. owing 10 the inability Of those 10
paw those advances. We have had Of US,
consider whether, under these circu1lstances, we
justified IN continuing these advances for
another crop. and have decided that cannot DO
unless some practical assistance is given by
our government 10 make sucn advances fairly sale
.Sixth-Present prices are leaving loss OF from
have after very careful reflection decided to ex-
press 10 you our conFlctlon ihat unIess ms MAJ
strain by at least e there viii be material
.'seventh-It is for the government to consider
forward exaggerated or unnecessarily alarm
ist view. but We venture TO think such an event
which government could contemplate
without the gravest anxiety. and we have ventured
selves from all responsibility by conveying TO you
deliberate opinion in regard 70 what is
predict the future: but there is such thing as
tempting Providence It is duty give his
msjesty's government the warning on them must
rest the responsibility of dealing with it We be-
and that immediate relief is absolutely necessary
10 prevent what We believe would be a serious
calamity.
spectfully 70 request that you will he pleased to
deputaton OF the " est Indla committee, when
may lay before you verbally and more fully the
ment OF the situation
We have the honor be, sir. your obedent
NEVILLE LUBBOCK, Chairman. the West India
HENRY K. DAWSON, Deputy Chairman. the
West India Comg!ttee for the Colonial Bank,
H H DOBREE, Chairman the west India As
ISOLATION of Glasgow;
HI. TTAHEs REV EM Go c6L 9 I COMPANY. LTD r
Brown, Secretary"
III M