The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-15
What Cuba May Learn
From Trinidad

Special to The Globe.
TRINIDAD, West l., March IA. -
Perhaps no one more thankfully re-
ceived the news of the settlement of
the difficulties of Venezuela than did
the inhabitants Of this same little isl
and.
The proximity of the two places nat
urally has led to a good deal of inter
course between them which threatens
to be somewhat interfered with by the
recent conduct of the mother country
England. Since Trinidad has no more
to do with the blockade than to fur
nish a handy coaling station for the
British ships, however, there would
seem to be very little basis for any
cessation of courtesies Between the
two peoples.
Fortunately Trinidad does not de-
pend upon its rather extensive trade
with Venezuela for it's prosperity than
it does upon the sugar trade, which
was it's principal source of revenue a
few years ago.
President Castro has tried his best
! to strangle the trade between these
two places. He placed an import duty
of 80 per cent on all goods coming
communication between the island and
the mainland.
Twenty-Five years ago when the cane
planters began to feel the effects Of beet
sugar competition, Trinidad, instead of
giving up In despair like other West IN
! dian islands dependent upon the sugar
market looked around for some other
product to cultivate in the fertile country
and decided that the growing demand for
cocoa was worth remembering. The CO..
Goa plant consequently became one of
the leading products of the island and
proved such profitable crop that cx-
| ports of it have continued to multiply
| ever since. Cocoa has proved the saliva
| ton of Trinidad. At the present time the
area of the island under cocoa cultiva-
| ton Is twice that under sugar, and is
| steadily extending. The value CT the
! sugar crop last year was something like
| $500, 600 below the average of the proceed
Ing quarter of century. Cocoa exceed
| ed the average Of the same period by
| nearly 100000. For the peasant pro-
| prietor. with his infinitesimal capital. the
| cultivation of cocoa is much more con-
formable to circumstances than is the
| growth of the sugar cane. Unlike sugar.
| cocoa, having been gathered from the
| tree and dried in the SUM- does not re-
qulre a process of manufacture There is.
! therefore, no capital expenditure on plant.
nor any bloated wages sheet The new
recruits to the ranks Of peasant proprie-
tors, are accordingly, giving their prefer
! ence to growing cocoa. The result an
pears in the latest available returns. In
1879 the export of sugar amounted in
value to nearly Sc. 900, 900. In 1900 # IVES
reduced to about 81, 750, 0OO In 1895 the
| export value of cocoa was over So COS COO
] IN 19Vo 1t was $4,000, 600, an increase of
considerably over so per cent. During
the same term of years the total value Of
| exports mas, IN spite of depression in
the sugar market, increased In The same
ratlo In 1895 it was nearly $4,000 600. In
!900 1t was over $4,000 600. There are /
fancy, few communities Of larger growth
! tlat can SHOW within the same space of
time an increase of so per cent on the
| VdIue OF their exports.
| Notwithstanding this remarkable ex-
| port of cocoa, the export of asphalt has
also proved wonderfully profitable. Dur
doubled in value. Yielding considerable
! sums In relief of taxation, it contribiIfes
| 10 q financial position, sound at all points,
Whist the revenue of Trinidad is steadiIl,
going up, its expenditure is firmly hui
dlScreetly cut down. The public debt of
the colony, which amounts to about
~. OUO, oQe' Is to the extent of rs per cent
| represented by remunerative works. The
! railway, built out of loan, not only pays
| us working expenses. but finds nearly the
mnole or the interest paid by the colony
| In respect of its cost. The expenditure
on harbor works finds equally satisfdco
| tory returns. No wonder that taxation
| like expenditure. is decreasing. 1t stands
| at the rate Of So. 40 per head. Much less
than was eXacted a Quarter of century
| ago. When the comforts and conveniences
Were only partially developed
Whatever may happen in the way of
trade with Venezuela Trinidad has no oc-
aftep enough, a heaven for Venezueians
who have little to thank their country
Ter, and who have found in Trinidad that
| security OF propriety which the British
government always guarantees wherever
| Trinidad Is indeed very near to being
! probably no spot In the British dominions
I today where life Is easier and good liv-