The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1902-03-19
I,he Case of Cuba.


IldIlsOuTR. ~. II. RtpuohOoh-
As the relations of the United
States with Cuba become closer
through the natural outcome of the
results of the Spanish-American
war, public attention naturally
tu-ns to that country. To state the
case in a nutshell. our government
has severed the relations between
Cuba and Spain, and thus has de
stroyed one of the principal mar
kets which Cuba had, and now,
in consequence of that, there is
great poverty and suffering in Gu
ba whereby the United States
should be held as under certain
kind or degree of moral obligation
to advert to any reasonable extent
in her power.
How are we doing this? Con-
gress is considering the matter.
Oneof the great prodpets of Cuba
is sugar. With an open chance in
the markets of the world Cuba
would need no help, but would be
able to hold her own with the
world, and put by wealth in very
thrifty manner. But the U. S.
Congress, dominated to large ex-
tent by our OVID sugar kings puts a
ban upon this sugar trade. Pro-
tection must be accorded to these
northern sugar kings protection
at the expense of the american
consumer and at the expense also
of the Cuban producer.
1t is an old story. SO old that it
needs no rehearsing. But let US
look into this matter little. Is it
true that to do justice to Cuba by
reducing the Cuban tariff ON sugar
so per cent. American sugar kings
would be ruined? During the
year 1901 the United States ctn-
sumed 100000 tons of sugar. OF
thisSwe imported two-thirds, or
l 100000 tons, and we produced
one-third, or 100000 tons. OF this
10000 tons about one. half was
produced in our insular possessions
leaving 100000 tons produced by
Louisiana cane and native beets,
the beet sugar amounting to not
over $4,000 tops.
Where did our imported sugar
come from? Germany furnished
225, 900 tons of beet sugar, the East
Indias sold us 100000 tons of cane
sugar, the British West Indias sold
us 10000 tons of cane sugar,
South Africa sold us 100000 tons
of cane sugar, and $4,000 tons of
cane sugar came from Cuba. Con-
slider the absurdity then of the
proposition that the admission of
Cuban sugar on better terms, or
even with no tariff at all, would de-
stroy the sugar industry OF the
United States! Why, the entire
Cuban sugar production last year
was less than quarter of the total
consumption of sugar in the Uni
ted States The reduction of the
tariff on Cuban sugar so per cent.
would not lessen the profit of beet
sugar producers at all. But it
would take possibly S15,0O0,OOO a
year from the U. S. custom reve-
nues, and for that Cuba offers all
her trade of S1OO,OOO,OOO to this
country; and "she offers her mil
lions of acres of rich idle lands to
the American investors, and she
invites in hundred ways the en-
terprise, the capital and the labor
of the Great Republic to come and
share the riches that lie undevelop-
ed and unknown in her bosom. +"
1t is inconceivable that few trust
obstructionists can much longer
hold down the Congress of the
United States and prevent it from
doing full justice to the island and
the people of Cuba. Speed the
day when they shall be swept un-
der for good by wave of generous
enthusiasm which shall truly repre-
sent the impulses of the people
themselves.
Big Wild Cat.
q. W. Mayfeld and George Mar
! shall livino naor Rboa- Nboo1