The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1902-01-25
JOUR- TRADE WITHCU8A
Island Overburdeued With Debt But
Market for Products win Assure Dos
Economic Welfare.

III is obvious that the pIar amend
ment from its very nature cannot be-
definite settlement of the relations
between cuba and the United States.
Nor is ID unreasonable Go believe that
&c is not so intended by those Rho for
mulated it-f we are tO credit its au-
thOrs with knowledge OF insight into
the problem before them. But which is
destined 20 play most important part
This is. Of course, the question of trade
relations between cuba and the United
states. which is today for the people
|of Cuba the supreme. the au-abs0rb-
ing question And DO is altogether mate
ural that it should be. Cuba has lost
her once fourishing trade Today Dc is
Wellnigh impossible TO revive it Dob the
ports of Europe failing Co do SO in the
ports of the United States Cuba must
resign herself 10 r. life of poverty and
insignihcance. the more intoierable for
being so altogether uudeseryed.
lt is not strange. therefore. that the
first thought of the Cuban ie ro secure
favorable conditions iu the markets 0f
the only people with whom Boz can
trade. nor did presIdeu. Roosevelt
eEaggerate the necessity when ir his
message 90 Congress Doe said. .Ir The
case of Cuba there are weightv reasons
or morality and uf national interest
why the policy lJf reciprocity should
be- held 90 have peculiar aUUI.ra ton.
and I most earnestly ask your arral-
ton to the wisdom. indeed 20 the vital
need. Of providing for substantial pee
ductlOn in the tariff duties on Cuban
imports into the United States" But
10 is not altogether certain that C0u-
gress VIII comply. Tn case if does not
We may expect that within short
time affairs DOB cuba win assume "a
condition that viii call for the active
Intervention of the United States.
10
Cubas industries must lauguish and
disappear. Three-fOurths Of the land
must remain uncultivated. and three
fOurths of the lab0ring classes remain
idle-tO be "a continual menace 90 the
peace Of the country. for idle hands
and empty stOmachs are the most teT-
rible enemies of government and order.
Cuba would naturally be annexed. and
the very thing from which Congress
sought 20 escape VIII be- forced upon
her in a rude way and with more
sweeping consequence. But Gas. per-
haps, we must expect should the Unit
cd States allow the Introduction Of
Cuban products under a reasonable
tariff regulation, b. ls wholly probable
that Cuba win grow in wealth and
power. and become "a source Of strength
and profit TO the United States.
The island is al present OEer-DuT-
dened with debt, but with the lIquila-
tiOn Of existing laws on rural prop
erty. the establishment of banks. and
a stable financial system. viii come the
rehabilitation Of the large plantations,
and the industrial activity Of all
classes. With a market for her pro-
ducts, the economic well-beiug Of Cuba
is assured; her people viii then find
ready and acceptable occupation the
interests Of the people viii demand a
cepable and orderly government and
every circumstance will tend 10 insure
peace and liberty IN the island.
The student Of the problem is inclin-
ed to reach very strong convictions
but prudence demands a suspension Of
Judgment, at least till Congress shall
take action on the recommendation Of
the president.-LUis NJ. Perez in Ann
ArbOr Bulletin.