New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-27
rT7R4y CONCENTRATIONS"

Another bluff has been called The Re
p1blican members of the Senate COMMITTEE on
Relations with Cuba have reported favorably
Mr.. Teller's proposal for an investigation OF the
charge that nearly the entire crop OF CUBAN
sugar is now in the hands OF the Sugar Trust.
which latter would thus be the chief bene-
ficiary of any tariff concession which might be
made. We may give Mr. Teller credit for per
sonal sincerity in making that proposal. for MI.
Teller is an earnest and serious man. But the
proposal did not originate with him. The charge
10 which It refers has been banded about Tor
weeks and months 1t is one Of the stalest and
most hackneyed bits of stock in trade OF the
Beet Sugar Ring. To every demand for justice
for Cuba and for the opening of Cuban doors
to American commerce the beet sugar men
have responded. "Do you want to play into the
hands Of the Sugar Trust?" precisely as pro-
slavery Democrats two generations ago used 10
demand as an unanswerable reply TO anti
slavery arguments DO you want your daugh-
ter to marry niggerF
II this charge about Cuban sugar were sim
cere IL would be egregious bit OF hypocrisy
If the paradox be permissible. The spectacle
Of the Beet Sugar Ring railing at the Sugar
Trust is calculated TO put TO shame the ira
ditional revings OF pot and kettle. But there
are the strongest reasons for believing il is not
sincere that II is a mere bluff" put up for
purposes of delay. and that its makers will be
thoroughly Disguised with the Senates action
la taking them at their word and ordering an
investigation There has not, SO far as we
have been able 10 discover, been any ground
for suspectng that the Sugar Trust has pur-
chased any considerable part of the Cuban
sugar crop. II il has. it has concealed IFS tracks
with marvellous skill All the indications have
al ,prfa end Tho
testimony of competent and impartial wit
nesses have confirmed the belief that Cuban
sugar is owned by Cubans. 1t should have
occurred tc these reckless makers OF extrava-
CANT charges that under system OF turis
prudence the of proving rests upon the
accuser A man is assumed 10 be innocent
until he is proved to be guilty. We have been
bound to accept in good faith the Cuban
surances Of Cuban ownership Of Cuban sugar
until they Were proved false. And they have
not yet been proved false. nor has the Beet
Sugar Ring produced scintila of evidence TO
that effect
Let the Investigation proceed. however 1t
viii in all probability result In the confusion of
those who have sought 1t. That will certainly
be the case II 1t is shown-as we expect Il viii
be-thst the Sugar Trust has practically no in
terest in the matter Nor would the case be
much better for thern il their charges should
Be substartiated. for the pertinent question
would then arise. Why did they not produce
their proofs long ago? If fhe Sugar Trust is
indeed engaged in so deep, dark and damnable
. business specializing in Cuban sugar why
have not the unselfsh and generous members
Of the Beet Sugar Ring devoted a little OF their
time, work and money 10 demonstrating that
fact. instead OF concentrating all their efforts
upon brllyragging Congressman from doubtful
districts? II man is really pickpocket, the
proper thing is to prove aim SUCH rather than