New-York tribune., 1903-01-18
FAVORS CUBAN TREATY.
GENERAL WOODS TIEWS.
Gain 10 This Count,y-IHauence
4euinSt Ratification.
fry TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUNE.l

ASU2NSI huttVCWtOH.
fBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE
Washington, Jan. 1.-THE control of a foreign
trade certain to amount TO S2O0oO0Ooo Within
from six to ten years. the entire custom or d
nation destined to number 1S,ooOooo ana the
cementing OF relations with near nelgnpor'
whose friendship will make for the peace of this
nation are some of the substantial advantages
which this country may have for the taking. ac-
cording to General Leonard Wood, Ex-Governor
of Cuba.
There is everything to be gained by the
United States from the ratification OF the
Cuban treaty" said General Wood this morn
ing Cuba to-day has population OF l,ooo-
600 people. Under just and stable government
the island is amply capable of supporting ls,-
coo people, and under peaceful conditions
that population will be attained.
Reciprocity with the United states is essen
tial to Cuba's prosperity. but Cuba's prosperity
will prove equally beneficial to the United
States. Once Cuba's trade is secured for Ameri-
can manufacturers and producers. every in
crease I'm her consumption will mean an in
creased demand for American goods.
"The island has been the scene of warfare ana
strife for years. and her recent financial condi-
ton has been serious in the extreme. For the
last few years her sugar producers have been
doing business at loss. Taking the average, II
is safe to say that it has cost them two cents a
pound to produce sugar Under the provisions
of the treaty estimate that they Will receive
from 50 % to 50 so hundred pounds. a diff
ference ample to transform a losing into a pay
ing business and promptly restore prosperity to
the island With prosperity restored the con-
sumption of American goods will more than
keep pace with the inevitable increase in popu-
1ation.
Asked If there was any danger that the Sugar
Trust would be able to convert the reduction
granted to Cuba the sugar schedule into It's
own treasury instead of paying it TO the Cuban
producers. General Wood said:
That is not possible for several reasons II
the Sugar Trust we're to be successful in so
doing the very handsome profits ii would make
would Immediately induce severe competition
Moreover, the Cubans expect to receive the in
creased price and would not sell for less. They
have been holding on for the last few years only
because they saw relief in sight If prices were
now to be forced down below profitable rate
the planters would be compelled to go out OF
business Again. now that Germany has abol-
tshed the bounty sugar, believe they would
find It more profitable to sell their sugar in
Europe than to accept such a low figure from
the American refners.
Among the Incidental but none the less inn
portant benefits which will result under the
tegrity of the young republic. Without intimate
trade relations with the United States there is
ever present danger Of the contraction Of
enormous Indebtedness to the subjects of Euro
pean powers followed by a desire, at least. on
the part OF foreign nations TO attempt forcible
collection. and the consequent precipitation of a
situation similar to that existing in Venez-
uela situation which, in view of the proximity
of Cuba to the United States. would prove intol-
cradle to this government.
again. closer trade and social relations with
the United States will make for stricter en-
forcement of sanitary laws in the island. and
their enforcement will save this country millions
of dollars of expense heretofore occasioned by
the freuuent-alnost annual-necessity OF estab-
nshing a thorough quarantine from the mouth
OF the Rio Grande to the mouth Of the Potomac.
The actual and incidental expense Of the quaran-
tine against yellow fever. with its inevitable in
reference with trade have heard estimated at
81 600 coo a day
What ought to prove convincing evidence of
the benefits which will accrue to the United
States under the provisions of the treaty is fur
nished by the opposition of foreign nations,
Ever since reciprocity with Cuba first dis
cussed the representatives of those nations
have exerted their utmost influence in Havana
to defeat it, and to-day the cable brings us
news OF the alarm of the British merchants
caused by the prospect that the treaty will be
ratified To defeat the convention would be to
contribute solely to the prosperity of our Euro.
pean competitors a careful investigation of
the subject will demonstrate to every unpreju-
diced seeker for the facts.
In reply to question, General Wood said he
cid not believe there would arise any necessity
for increasing the Cuban tariff after the pro-
visions of the treaty went into effect. He
thought that the increase of prosperity bound
to result would so increase the consumption of
imported goods, reduced to minimum, as
to more than offset the reduction from existing
tariff rates. Moreover. 1t had been the policy
of the American military administration TO sus
pc nd in so far possible, all internal taxation
with a view to affording the farmers and plant
ers an opportunity to recover from the losses
occasoned by the war With a return of pros
porous conditions the internal rates could be
restored and would contribute abundantly to
the national revenues.
General Wood expressed confidence that the
treaty would be ratified and that the impulses
which had prompted this nation to conceive
and put into operation a system intended pri
mariy for the relief of Cuba, would bear fruit
in the shape of added prosperity health and
peace to the United States.