Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-01-02
OUR RELATIONS WITH CUBA.

md elsewhere. OF course there are
two sides TO the question that now
confronls this country
ON one Is the Island over which this
government exercises protectorate,
which places It In different situation
towards the United States to that Of
other countries, It's material interests
must be considered in connection with
that oversight in its affairs, which the
fortunes OF war have given to this
governments The Interchange Of prod
ucts Is subject Of Interest to us as
wen as to the Cubans. Their pros
perity or adversely cannot be ignored.
The regulation Of the tarlf between
tho two countries, therefore, must
necessarily be somewhat peculiar to the
situation Just recovering from the
effects Of the struggle with Spain, the
Cuban people need such aid as the
United States can render In reason, to
place them on firm footing for the
future. Two Of the chief exports from
that island are sugar and tobacco.
Without profitable market for those
two commodities, the reouperation Of
the island cannot be achieved 10 take
the duty from them entirely would no
doubt be a welcome relief, and be
, hailed with Joy by the planters and by
most Of the people.
But there Is the other side OF the
question to be considered. This affects
especially the sugar interests Of the
United states. The renners and deal
ers In sugar would be glad to obtain
the raw material without duty But
the comparatively new beet-sugar in
dustry would thereby be crippled and
retarded II not destroyed The produc-
tion OF sugar from beets has become n
home industry OF great and growing
benefit TO this nation. 1t affects both
the agricultural and the manufacturing
Interests, ana adds to the wealth OF the
country To make this nation indepen-
dent OF foreigh-made sugar Is an OBJ
ject desirable 10 be attained, II IL by
no means impossible or improbable.
The enrichment Of few SPECTATORS
ana monopolIsts ought not to weigh in
legislation as agalns, the welfare Of the
whole country. The tariff laws should
be 80 regulated as not only TO provide
necessary revenue for the expenses Of
government, but also to secure the
greatest possible benefits to home pro-
ductlon and manufacture. The removal
Of the sugar tariff would doubtless help
the comparatively few inhabitants
OF Cuba, and the sugar trust Of Ameri-
ca. but would strike severe II not
fatal blow to the rapidly Increasing
beet-sugar industry Of this nation The
proper thing to do, In view OF these
two considerations. is that which Is be-
ing investigated by the most thought
ful Of our national legislators
President Roosevelt, in his message to
Congress. when touching on the ques-
lion OF reciprocity. made these special
remarks;
"In the case OF Cuba, however, there
are weighty reasons of morality and
Of national interest why the policy
should be held to have a peculiar appli-
cation, and most earnestly ask your
attention 10 the wlsdom,-lndeed to the
vital need--of providing for q substan-
tial reduction in the tariff duties on
Cuban imports into the United States,
Cuba has in her constitution affirmed
what we desire, that she should stand,
In international matters, In closer and
more friendly relations with us than
with any other power, and we are
bound by every consideration of honor
and expedency TO pass commercial
measures In the interest OF her mater
lal wel-being."
This recommendation win undoubt-
sdly have great weight with conserya-
tive members In the consideration OF
This subject The report OF the secre-
tary Of War for 1901 also contains some
pertinent suggestions on the same line.
After speaking Of the dependence Of
Cuba upon a profitable market for her
principal products, he says;
"Under the existing provisions Of the
United States tariff laws, Che prices
which can be realized for Cuban SUI
gar and a large part of Cuban tobacco
in this market are not sufficient TO pay
the duties cost Of transportation and
production, and yield living profit to
the producer
He discusses the matter at some
length. giving figures to establish the
point he wishes to make, which in sub
stance is this.
"Our present duty TO Cuba can be
performed by the making Of such a re-
ciprocity tariff arrangement with her
as President Mckinley urged In his last
words 20 his countrymen az Buffalo on
the 5th of September A reasonable re-
1uction in our duties upon Cuban SUI
gar and tobacco, In exchange for fairly
COMPENSATORY reductions Of Cuban du-
ties upon American products, will am
that such an arrangement be promptly
made. It would involve no sacrifice,
hut would be as advantageous TO US as
It would be 10 Cuba"
Major. General Wood, military gov
rrnor Of cuba. in his annual report
takes similar ground 10 that Of the
President and the Secretary Of War,
He says
1.-THE establishment Of reciprocity IN
commercial relations between Cuba and
the United states means everything 60
Cuba, for II she can obtain favorable
duties on her tobacco. and especially
on her sugar, her development viii be
immediate Cuba must now market
her principal products in the United
states. New conditions have changed
her old commercial relations. and y