BoletiÌn mercantil de Puerto Rico. (San Juan, P.R.) 18??-1918, 1902-01-14
The Neglected Side M Expansion,

We do not see how there could possibly
be q stronger body Of official opinion in
favor OF relieving Cuban industry than there
is in the Presidents message, in the report
OF Secretary Root and in that Of Major. Gen.
Wood. The chief executive indorse5 every
word Of the report Of Secretary Boot, and
both have based their recommendations,
first, upon the pledge Of congress to deal
fairly with Cuba, and, secondly upon the
facts as closely observed by an official who
has made the islands political and industrial
condition his most earnest study. We have
already commented upon the strong recon.
mendations in behalf Of Cuba contained in
hese documents, but in many quarters it ID
to be feared they have been received with
perfunctory respect rather than with the
anxious sympathy they deserve. Behind
that perfnnctory respect there is q cowardly
reputation Of the one remaining duty To
complete the fact OF expansion and make II
beneficent to our dependencies as well al
justifiatle to ourselves. With Cuba as tht
nearest and most pressing problem, there il
q disposition to hedge in regard to its OBJ
vious solution. There is vital need that tn,
virtual guardianship Of Cuba, ut least o
the beginning Of its new government, should
be honestly accepted with all Of its obliga
tions. Ii We cannot push sside the selfish
hlockage which is Starving uuba,s ipdustrs
while her political welfare is being fa
provided for, all that has been done canls.1
assure stable government.
The Oubans placed as much hope upon
the promise Of trade with US az they did
upon our promise to drive Spain out Of the
island. More than that, with trust in our
profession which it would be lasting dis
grace to slight, they prepared In advance for
the relief they believed would surely come
While the Cuban officials we're observing the
precepts Of our administration with sincere
desire to profit by them, the planters had
gone to work to revive their ruined industry
In the hope that they could sell us enough
Of their product to restore prosperity. They
had no other market to look to, and it was
natural that they should consider the To-.
dustrial situation as az inseparable pIrt Of
American Intervention. As " is, we havs
intervened In their politics and left their
industry stranded aud more helpless than IL
was under the misrule Of Spain. Our duties
on their sugar and tobacco are about 100
per cent, as against an average Of 90 per
cent. on our dutiable imports from otuer
countries; while OubaE duties on out exports
to that island average less than 25 per cent.
We fixed her tariff ~ Temporary aud
administrative measure, and thus far there
has not been American generosity enough
10 concede any commercial advantage 20
cure the trade paralysis which We are partly
responsible for.
IL will be well II the Cuban situation
teaches 40 that We are shutting our eyes TO
the diverse side oi expansion. There has
been plentiful jubiiation over our territorial
enlargement, aad the courts hare decided
that congress has power 20 do a. 10 plsssss
with our new possessions. Cuba 10 not Q
possession, but she demands honorable treat.
msnt more urgently than the Philippines.
She b . political card rather thsn child,
snd In international concsru invites Q more
jealous obssrvxiioa Of hsf trsstmsnt lAsa Il
she were member Of cur immediate house
held. Bat whst applies 10 her iadussrisl
bsitsrmsnt applies v that of all our pcs-
session. We hare done f&ify by Psr.o
kico, and e. . issnis The izlsad b rsp:dly
becoming prospeseaL Hhs b he snly nss
Isrriisfy N whieh pollliczl psstsssiea hzsl
esea eossisisatly scsomp1alsi bg ptsvi-
1loa fsf Fsstofiag Indaslsy. WIiAsc6 lAst|
feri0 klso might h h. s~t@allea ts-dsy.
We hare ne dsabs lAal slis Pfsslisrs ufII