Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-31
Real Work Has Commenced
in Cuba.
A STRUGGLE FOR TRADE
THE UNITED STATES WILL HAVE
TO CONTEST WITH EUROPE.
Diplomatic Arrangements the First
Thing to Consider by President
Palma and His Associates.

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
HAVANA, May -, 1892
Business now All kinds of business, too.
Foreign relations to be established and
adjusted, trade relations are to be fixed and
the patronage is to be settled.
1t is the diplomatic business that is most
important. Some day the feisurely Ameri-
can Congress may wake up and find that
while all the world theoretically acknowl-
edges the paramount influence of the United
States in Cuba, practically all the world is
going to contest that influence. Back OF
this lies trade.
do not know how it happened that the
Goth of May came and went and other ma
tions were enabled to be ahead of the
United States in establishing. informally,
al least, their diplomatic and consular
status. We know now that embarrassment
would have been saved had the minister
from the United States and the consul gen.
era! been appointed and confirmed in time
to be here Immediately after the Inaugural
ton of President Palma. Fine sentiments
about blood and kinship with our cousins
across the water look well on paper, but
they count for little in the struggle for
Cuba's trade and for the moral effect of be-
ing first.
An Animated Discussion.
The discussion of the incident among the
members of the consular corps has been
animated Some of them were pleased at
the action of Great Britain in getting her
minister at the head of the procession
Others were displeased through motives of
jealousy but all of them had their laugh
at the expense of the United states. IN
whatever manner TIE affair may De
Strengthened out so as to put the united
States ahead. there has been loss OF pres
tige in the beginning.
That England was ready for the change
of authority has been known IN havana
for weeks past That her representative
did not mean to be backward in recognizing
the new powers was shown at the palace
when the REIMBURSEMENT OF American au,
thOrity was made. AS the story was toid
10 me nv an eyewitness the incident was
a diverting one for the consuls. Mr.; Llonel
Garden his majesty's consul IN havana,
aDpeared with the other members OF the
corns and as such greeted President-elect
Palma Then he returned, forming pro-
cession all by himself. and In the name
of his sovereign, King Edward, announced
that he took pleasure in congratulauns
President Palma in his capacity as minister
of Great Britain to the republic OF CUBA
1t is telling no tales out of school 10
s+ata that the new government would rath-
or have few ministers from foreign powers
than many ministers. The modest plans OF
n minister to the United States, ana prop,
ably
consuIs in other countries, have been dls-
arranged and the creation of foreign lega-
tions with the consequent expense now mas
10 he considered. Plenty or educateu anu
talented Cubans can be found to fill the
dinlomatic positions but this talent is need
ed at home.
Proposed English Reciprocity Treaty.
The proposed English reciprocity treaty
is one of those public secrets when can De
told because everybody talks of 1t private
" One of the sugar planters had impaired
it to me confdentially a few days before
the planters delegation went to the palace
to suggest it to President Palma and his
cabinet. The president met the suggestion
very automatically and proved good lis
tener Beyond this 1 do not believe that
the project has advanced very far. except
in the dreams OF the projectors. Yet TINS
proposition cannot be ignored. AetuaHy II
is more the trade of Germany with Cuba
that the United States will have to hght
than the trade of the united kingdom; but
both nations, and all Europe for that mat
fer will strive their hardest to keep what
they have and to get more, in spite of the
superior advantages of the United States
That is what they are doing now
1t is because of this European activity
that the business of trade relations is like
" 10 be forced on the Cuban government
at so early stage of its existence In
volved in this are the questions of domestic
or internal policy. Cuba's tendency is to-
seems to be the basis of President Palma's
recommendation. The criticism of his sug
gestions that 1 have heard is that while it
is wise to fOment and encourage agricul
ture, there is no use in doing this until the
market is gained for agricultural products
That is why the business of trade relations
becomes so important, and more particular
ly of reciprocal trade relations with the
United States.
Whether the Cuban producer fully under
stands this is questioned. My own notion is
that he is beginning to understand it. A
few days after the inauguration of Presi-
dent Palma, / went out into the country
with some Americans. They all commented
on the plentifulness of the Cuban flags
Not a bohio or palm hut was without its
long bamboo flag staff with the single star
banner fiutterng from it
One of the party somewhat Sarcastically
asked If the occupants of those bohos were
going to be better off to their stomachs
than they had been under the American
flag, would be il they were under II In
the future. We stopped to bet drink of
cocoa water. and the countryman, the first
thing told US that they were going to raise
oranges in his neighborhood to sell in the
United States. So he was not ignorant that
the Cuban flag alone does not assure him
full stomach.
Business Of Office Seeking.
OF another phase of business under the
new government 1t would be tiresome to go
into details. This is the business of Office
seeking. 1t goes on briskly, yet less brisk
ly, at least less demonstratively, than
in the United States. have seen the Of
fice-seeking pressure exerted with immense
ly greater force in Springfield, ILL.,; Column
bus, Ohio, and in Washington, d. c. than
in Havana. The Cuban office-seeker while
as persistent as his brother in the states is
less militant. He asks modestly instead of
demanding confidently.
A chance given me to make COM
PARSONS one morning, while waiting in the
ante-rOOm at the palace. 1t was early. for
office hours begin at o'clock. There were
twenty or twenty-five persons in waiting
and. apparently. that number kept up dur
ing the forenoon. Several of them fold mo
that they had appointments with the presi
dent and hoped to have their matters set
tied at once. They named the Offices they
IL n ala -1,l l.