The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1902-01-30
INDUSTRIES DEPRESSED.
Maloiity of Cuban People Are Ready
For Annexation.


Bliss. the United States army officer,
detailed as collector Of customs at
Havana. was before the ways and
means committee concerning the Gu
ban reciprocity. In opening his state
ment he disclaimed authority as
sugar expert and said his knowledge
was confined to that Of an observer
for three years in an official posi-
ton. dealing with the trade OF Cuba.
This had led him to hope that If there
was any change in the tariff it would
be such an adjustment as would
throw into the hands Of the United
States the large amount OF Cuban
trade now taken by foreign countries.
Speaking first Of the condition OF
the Cuban industry, he said 1t was
greatly depressed. The leading Ha-
vana banks were refusing further
credits to the sugar planters, and
when this occurred it was a sure eVi'
dencc of the distress of the planta'
tions. He roughly estimated the su,
gar industry Of the island at $780,
100000 and said about three-fourths
Of the people were dependent in one
way or another on the sugar indus
try.
Chairman Payne asked Col. Bliss.
to specify what advantages the Uni
ted States could gain from Cuba and
Mr.. Payne also called attention to the
low tariff rate Cuba imposed against
the United States.
Col. Bliss said the average ad
yalorem rate was about 21 per cent.
and he presented tables, designed to
show how tariff readjustment could
throw practically all Of the Cuban
trade into the hands Of American pro-
! ducers. At present, he said, Cuba
bought $66,OOO,00O of which the Uni,
ted States furnished S28,475, 900, and
the balance of about s37.000,000 came
from foreign countries. On many ar
ticles such as fresh beef, railroad iron
and other specified articles, the Uni
ted States had practical monopoly
of the trade. But on many other ar.
ticles, totalng about S45.000,0O0 the
United States had but s10,000,OOO OF
the trade.
by a reasonable modification of
the Cuban tariff said Col. Bliss, "at
least sc per cent. of this trade can
be thrown to the United States"
He submitted a list Of articles on
which a differential Of about S3 per
cent. favorable TO the United States
as against other foreign countries
would give US the trade. In reporting
on this to the war department the
condition had been imposed upon him
not to reduce the revenue of CUBA.
Under such circumstances. he thought
1t would be necessary to first raise
Cuba's tariff rates. for purposes OF
revenue, and then with a sufficient
differential to give the United States
the control of the trade. This he put
forward only tentatively as one OF
several plans proposed to the war de-
partment.
The members of the committee
questioned Col. Bliss on the details
Of the proposed readjustment. In the
course of the examination Represen-
tative Newlands Of Nevada suggested
that without our political control OF
Cuba there might be servile labor to
compete with American labor. He
| added:
"Are the Cuban people prepared to
come into political relations with the
! United States?"
81 think a great majority OF the Gu
bans are ready to come in" Col. Bliss
replied
"As Territory or as State?"
asked Mr Newlands
"They would be glad TO come in as
a State or Territory. or under the
military authority, almost In anv way
in order to come under the authority
Of the United States
''If invited to come in first as a
Territory. then as State, would this
be acceptal?"
'T think it would"
Continuing or this topic Col Bliss
said he thought commercial union
with Cuba would nostDone political
union Personally he vas not con,
vinccH Of the wisdom Of annexation.
The feeling in Cuba was one Of readi
| ness to accept anv conditions the
United States might impose.
Louis Place and Mr.. Mendoza OF
| the Cuban delegation were heard
| briefly.