The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-02-05
By Walter j. Ballard.

By Walter j. Ballard.
IN THESE days of anxiety to do the best we
consistently can for Cuba in her hour OF
extremity, the recognition of our moral oDll-
CATION will not be out of place. but timely.
Our contract with Cuba and the world, was TO see
her from the Spanish yoke, and to give her in.
dependence. 1t is not in keeping with American
ideals, intentions and purposes, to put too mar
row a meaning on those words, give her indc-
pcndence.' The AmcriCGnism OF today, broad IN
itself, is ready TO as broadly continue those words
mot independence with poverty, but independ
encc with such measure OF material or tariff as
sistancc, as may be necessary to enable CUBA
libre" to make fair start along that road OF
endcavor, which, with some outside assistance,
as brought us to where we are today. Then again
we must remember that Cuba is our nearest
ncighbor by way OF the sea, and it is manuestly
not to our interest to have 4 poverty stricken or
financially embarrassed ncighbor
Still further we must bear in mind that already
millions Of American money have been invested in
Cuba, so that by helping her, we are also help
ing our own and providing all opportunity for
the investment of millions more OF that vast store
of surplus capital, which if not employed, is a
source Of anxiety and danger.
Cuba does not ask of Us that full measure Of
trade liberty, which would be hers were she
member OF the American family, as are the
Philippines, Porto Rico and Hawaii. All she asks
is that our markets be partially opened TO her
products-nainly sugar and tobacco. AS we pro-
ducc only tithc OF what we use ot those com.
moditios, is there not safety, as well us reason
and justice in granting her prayer? We use A.
GO000O,O0O pounds OF sugar yearly, and all we
produce at home or in our dependencies, includ-
ing our beet.sugar. is GOO,OOO,O0O pounds leaving
1000, ,CO0G00 pounds to be bought.
Does reducing the sugar duties, to Cuba.
mean that we shall be at once flooded with Cuban
sugar to the injury of our beet and other sugar
intcrests2 Not by any means, as the figures just
published by the Division of lnsular Affairs OF
our department of state fully testify. For i'll
stance in 1900 our import Of sugar from Cuba was
Il0O00,00 pounds, valued at COO, and in
1900, on 2,O0O,0OO pounds OF the value OF $4,000
COO There is 4 long, very long way TO travel,
between 100000 pounds, and the 4,0j5,OoO,g0J
pounds we are compelled to import annually.
But, some may say, let Cuba send her surplus
sugar to other countrics-shc cannot, for the very
simple reason that she is rs helpless to do foreign
business, as are any OF our manufacturers who ale
engaged in any line, without capital 1t takes
money to do business and make money. Cuba
has no money, and therefore is unable TO increase
her sugar acreage, produce more, or to send
agents abroad to sell it. In some way or other,
we must ego partners with Cuba until she is
able 10 walk alone. According 10 the report be-
fore quoted, her sale Of sugar, TO countries other
pounds, valued at $i,l2l, and in 1900, only 1851
pounds, of the value OF %j,J0S. Even were Cuba
able to produce more ard sell it outside Of Us,
still our market is her natural marlct-we need
her sugar and tobacco and she needs our money,
but unless our tariff to her is lowered she cannot
continue to produce at q living profit.
1t is not charitable donation we are asked
for, but Il limited partnership. By lowering our
duties for a stated term of years, we enter the
Cuban firm rs a limited partner, without any
chance Of losing our money by bad debts, Tor
the reason that we ourselves can and will buy all
her products fer Il good many more years, than
it is now necessary or possible to define. Lower
ing the duties 10 Cuba, will be followed by an
influx of American capital and American eXccu.
tive labor, By which we shall share in the profits
and salaries OF the producer Even on the selfish
ground Of sclf.nterest, it is emnently desirable
that we give Cuba what she moderately and Justly
asks. We did not plunge into the Spanish sea to
save her from drowning, only to leave her naked
and siyering on the shore.
Schenectady, February B.