The sun., 1902-01-10
For Cuba. Interest and Our Own.

II Is very clear-and the heart Of
every patriotic American ought to be
proud because Of it-that sentiment
oil over the country, and notably in
Congress, is strengthening in favor OF
making substantial reduction In our
tariff import duties upon Cuban sugar
and tobacco. Indeed. the press OF
thu nation has spoken on the subject
with an accord and enthusiasm rarely
before heard, and this influence, rest
ing MS II does upon facts which cannot
he gainsaid, has made itself felt. Many
Of the extremists who were declaring
a few weeks ago that they were not
going to let down the bars an inch
are now expressing their willingness
to consider the question. and declaring
that II Cuba will make some reciprocal
arrangement for our benefit. the mat
ter can perhaps be arranged. Senator
PLATT Of Connecticut, from whom.
as representative Of the tobacco
growing interests, decided objection
to any tariff reduction might be ex-
pccted, has come out heartily in favor
Of concessions to Cuba as fulfilling
both moral and political obligation
Others are taking a similar stand.
The national interest which we have
in reducing these particular import
duties involves not only the highest
instincts Of duty and humanity. but also
the plain suggestions Of political and
economic expediency.
For the entrance of Cuban sugar and
tobacco into our ports would really help
US Just as much as, and perhaps more
than, IL would help the Cubans. 1t would
not improperly aid any sugar refining in
terest, for the sugar refining companies
would be nduced-and they would not
need to be forced-to sell sugar at rates
lowered proportionately with the de-
creased cost Of tho raw material. IL
would hurt neither the farmers who
raise beets from which our home pro-
duced beet sugar Is manufactured, nor
the manufacturers of beet sugar them
selves. The record Of history Is that
from 1891 to 1893, when there was no
tariff on raw sugars brought into this
country, there was. after the receipt
by farmers OF an average price OF a a
ton for raw beets grown by them, a
profit to the beet sugar manufacturers
Of s. a ton on the refined product. These
facts. extraordinary as they may seem
in view Of the cry now raised by the
beet sugar manufacturers. were plainly
admitted, nay. gloried in, in a docu-
ment written and published broadcast
in 1899 by Messrs OxNARD and CUTTING,
the heads of the beet sugar refining inter-
ests, and designed by them to encourage
the production of beets by farmers for
the use OF the beet sugar factories.
Moreover, the reduction Of these sugar
duties would enormously lessen TO the
American consumer the cost OF one OF
the chief necessities OF daily life. a cost
which he now pays unknowingly in
Indirect taxation and would vigorously
repel II IL assumed a direct form. IL
would enable US TO sell In Cuba
$50, 900 900 worth more OF our own pro-
ducts than we now do. II would
enable us 70 establish in this country
the same great jam and preserve manu-
featuring industries which are such a
souroe Of wealth in England and are
wholly due In that country TO the cheap
ness with which sugar is there procured,
And IL would knit 10 Us the infant Cuban
Republic. which every consideration Of
high statesmanship bids US % hold In
sincere and enduring friendship.