The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-02

pKODuUugy l0&V0 Gn9 NSAaNQ U6uMUoiy
established as part and parcel Of the
Cuban hegemony. although the full
justification for the original raising OF
the question Of ownership 10 not entirely
clear in view of the seemingly ready
abandonment of the claim. As matter
OF fact, the whole transaction leaves the
United States Administration in no very
crsditable light Any one who was dis
posed to carp at us might say that we
sought to grab the island when we
thought it~of value, and surrendered it
when we found it OF no special advantage
to us. There might also be raised the
question of what would have been done
about it il Gen. WOOD had obeyed his
instructions and left an official repre-
sentative there to continue, according
to those instructions, the military au-
thorlty of the United States as the de
fdcto government OF the island. A ques-
ton still remains affecting the interests
Of certain American investors there who
claim that their investments were made,
largely II not entirely, upon the basis Of
official and semi-official statements that
the island was American territory. The
withdrawal of the American claim and the
establishment Of Cuban proprietorship
will assuredly be polite step, notwith-
standing little group Of American set
tiers and investors there would feel that
they had been deeply wronged by their
own Government. American retention
Of the territory under the shadow Of
vagueness Of expression In the Treaty OF
Paris would do more to turn from us the
respect and regard Of the Cuban people
than would a fiat refusal to concede
reductions In our tariff on Cuban
products.
1t is probably safe to assume an extra
session of our Congress in November,
primarily for the consideration OF the
fourth Of the pending treaties, that re-
garding reciprocity. 1t is probable that
the Cubans would indorse the treaty as
it now stands, although there might be no
special eagerness to do 80. The feeling
Is quite general in the island that they
would be paying large price for small
return and that the conclusion of the
proposed treaty might preclude the pos
sibility Of more advantageous bargain
with some other nation.
The planters are getting very tired Of
the uncertainties Of the agitation, and
their faith in the kindly purposes Of the
United States has been shaken, il not
quite destroyed. They have fought
their way through two seasons of unpreo-
edenHdly low prices, and are gaining
confidence in their ability to take their
own chances in the markets without
paying the United States that which she
asks for the little that she grants. We're
any American industry to stand in the
condition of the Cuban sugar business,
it would have gone into utter insolvency
months ago. Cuban methods are widely
different from ours, and the people, from
large mill owner to small colono, stand
together and fight the battle Of low
prices and adverse markets with mar
vellous patience and pluck. In the light
Of their past experience, they have little
hope for any benefit from American
action during the coming session. and
will go on with their work, thankful for
any fraction Of cent per pound ad-
vantage in price, and not at all disap-
pointed il no benefit comes.
Such is the attitude Of the great mass
OF the Cuban people with regard to the
four pending treaties.