The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-01-16
CUBAN RECIPROCITY
SUGAR INTERESTS URGE FREE AD-
MISSION.
THE ISLAND IN DISTRESS.
CUBANs MAY BE FORCED TO SEER
ANNEXATION.

The Case of Sugar Producers Ably
Presented by Mr.. Atkins of BOs-
ton-Im m cnSe OverproductiOn of
Sugar in the World Has Caused
Crisis-The Industry Is Greatly
Depressed and %2O,OOO,OOO Worth
of Cane May BE Left Standing.
They Want Entire Duty Removed.
Washington Jan 15.-The Ways and
Means Committee began hearings to-
day on the subject of Cuban recipro-
city with a large representation pres
ent from the various interests which
would be affected by legislation of this
character. The Cuban industries We're
represented by Messrs. Place, Mendoza,
Dumois and Francke, chosen by COM
mercial organizations in various parts
of the island The American interests
engaged i'm sugar production in Cuba
were represented by Edwin f. Atkins.
spokesman for an organization con-
trolling a large part of the sugar pro-
duction of the island; Hugh Kelly. of
New York, and John f. Craig of Phil
adelphia. William Haywood was pres
ent in behalf Of the Hawaiian sugar
planters and Henry T. Oxnard for the
domestic beet sugar interests. The to-
bacco and other interests affected by
Cuban production also were well rep
resented.
Edwin f. Atkins of Boston, made
the opening statement in behalf or re-
ciprocity. He spoke of the enormous
oVer-production of sugar throughout
the world, amounting to about 1.500,-
600 tons, which had resulted In a crisis
in the, industry. European countries
had met this with bounties so that
the German producer, by means of
bounty. was able to sell sugar at half
a cent per pound below it's cost of pro-
duction. The cost of production in
Cuba was 206 cents per pound, which
was somewhat above the selling price.
Mr.. Atkins stated that there was now
about $20, 900, 900 worth of standing cane
in Cuba, and at present prices a con-
siderable part of this would not be
harvested. The loss to labor. he
thought, was likely to lead to distur-
Dances. At the time set for the with
drawal of American troops there
would be, in his opinion, a deficit In
| the insalar revenues which We're large
ly recruited from the sugar industry.
Mr.. Atkins stated that a so per cent.
reduction of duties was desired on the
various large products of the island,
but in response to inquiries from Mr.
Payne he said that the sugar industry
felt they should have 100 per cent.
reduction. He was opposed to a draw
back.
May Compel Annexation.
Mr.. Atkins said that IL present con-
ditions should continue Cuba would
become so desperate as to be forced
into annexation.
Louis Place, a merchant Of Havana
and head of the Cuban delegation.
presented the case from the Cuban
standpoint. At present, he said. Gu
ba was buying large quantities Of for
eign goods, and il reciprocity was
brought about with the United States
Cuba would be in the American mar
ket for cotton goods. wine and many
other articles now brought from
abroad. He believed this market In
Cuba would amount to $3.50. 900 900
within two years.
Francis B. Thurber of the United
States Export Association, stated the
primary consideration was one Of good
faith on the part of the United States
to Cuba.
Hugh Kelley of New York, who has
large sugar holdings in Cuba. said that
as an American he urged that recip-
rocal concessions be made. lie IT,
lieved that If there was no reciprocity
Cuba would ask for annexation, and
If this occurred the voice Of the Amer
lean people would be FOR admitting
tho island.
Mr.. Mendoza, of the Cuban delega-
tion. pictured the distress IL present
conditions were continued. and said
the loss on the sugar crop of the island
of this year would be approximately
$12. 600. 000
He strongly favored the free adj
mission of sugar and reciprocal con-
cessions on American goods entering
Cuba.