The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-07
CUBA'S PROBLEM AND HER En-
FORTS TO SOLVE 1T.

To THE EDITOR OF The SuN--Siy: Cuba q
general needs are quite the same az those OF
the majority Of the earth's inhabitants. A
review Of her present situation in the light
OF her past experience reveals two needs
Of special immediate importance. These
are.
First, a diversity Of her productive indus
tries which shall enable her to assume posi-
ton Of independence in the economic world
Secondly. a reasonably profitable market
for her agricultural productions.
Cuba's rightful position in the economic
world is unquestionably one OF absolute
economic independence. 1t Is doubtful II
any other spot on the surface OF the earth
can rival her natural advantages In the
combination of the two all-essential factors
in industrial prosperity, namely, possi-
bility of production and proximity to the
worlds great markets. Her fertile acres
lie within few hours sail from the largest
Of the worlds individual markets-the
United States. A few days sailing will
place her output in the markets Of England
and Europe. She can readily produce in
quantities which will justify the establish
ment of special lines Of direct transportation
from shipping point to market. Extension
Of her export crops will enable single ports
to furnish complete cargoes.
At present. Cubas export products arc
mainly limited to sugar and tobacco. So
long as that remains the fact, Cuba's pros
perity hangs upon those two lines, subject
to political and economic conditions which
are beyond the control and largely beyond
even the influence Of Cuban people or the
Cuban Government. Her eggs are in two
baskets. and disaster to either means
disaster to Cuba. With such diversity of
her products as is ready possibility, mis-
fortune or disaster become limited In their
possible scope and in the measure Of their
danger
In the adjustment Of the Cuban tariff
the American authorities took into consid-
Grafton the fact of Cubas poverty and low
rates of duty were imposed upon various
lines of alimentary substances In order
that excessive tariff restrictions should not
force prices to a point which would put
some of the necessares Of life beyond the
purchasing power Of the poverty stricken
people. The motive which led to this was,
doubtless, kindly, but the step was in one
aspect economically unsound. Its ten
dency was to discourage local production.
1t is quite open to question whether from the
Cuban point of view the kinder course would
not have been the establishment of tariff
little short OF prohibitive on many Of these
foodstuffs. backed up by furnishing the
Cubans from their own revenues more
working cattle and farming tools. A
country so eminently agricultural as the
island Of Cuba should at least feed itself
and no greater kindness could have been
shown than by enabling the Cubans to sup
ply their own home market with food prod
ucts at prices remunerntive to the pro-
ducers.
Reference to the table OF Cuban imports
for the fiscal year ended June 30. 1901 /,
shows the following entries and valuations:
Poultry and small game .s1ts.sTs
Beef and pork tbrlne or salt ......,.., o4s. sa7
Lard - ...'.......,...,.........'.. 2.oss.i%
Hams and shoulders observation-disclosures. ees. oia
Jerked beef OLE. 00<
Neat OF all other kinds 3i5.e47
Butter cheese and condensed milk. .... ISL $50
Fish. dried. sailed. pckled 1912. 27i
ERgs.... ..... ...... ............ ESQ. l5i
Rice 33S. toe
Cereals. ..... ..... ..... ......... 9SS. 5s4
Flour ..... ....,. .... ...... 22iG.04i
Deans. peas. onions. potatoes. &c........1si9.3i2
Here are farm and field products to a
value OF sls,2ls,4s0 imported in a single
year into distinctly agricultural country
with a population Of only a million and
half The special comfort to American
souls lies naturally, in the fact that a large
percentage Of this amount was bought
from the United States. 1t is. neverthe-
less, somewhat hard upon our neighbor
and protege In land which will grow
two crops year Of corn. beans and peas.
and which will support cattle, hogs and
poultry by the million, the farmer of the
country should feed his own family and
supply the cities with his surplus. More
than that. such land, located, as Cuba is,
most conveniently to the worlds great
markets. should be an exporter of millions
Of dollars worth Of the very products
which she has been so largely importing.
Until Cuba shall become. as she we'll
may become, a recognized source Of supply
to the worlds markets Of soma number
of the possible products of her soil other
than sugar and tobacco, instead OF a buyer
from those markets, she is and will remain
economically dependent. ever in danger
from recurring periods OF depression in
the markets to which she must look for the
disposal Of her present products. Her
sugar is at the mercy Of American and
European legislation, and her choice grades
OF tobacco depend for their market, to a
large extent, upon the fitness or the empti-
ness of the pockets Of those who can smoke
it. Sentiment places a high value upon
political independence, and the desirability
of such a condition may not be denied
But political independence is of little value
to an impoverished people, and the COM
bination of national independence and
national poverty is little short Of certain
to result in political disturbance, il not in
national disintegration. In that there
lies the menace to the future OF the Cuban
Republic.
Aside from the partial establishment
Of Cuba's special industries, sugar and to-
bacco, thousands OF the Cuban people to-
day face the same problem. and only less
Of the same poverty, with which they were
confronted four years ago, The true and
permanent solution of that problem. and
the permanent relief from condition which
must leave them at all times upon the
verge of national disaster lie, unquestion-
ably, in the direction OF economic indie
pendence. That can hest be established.
and perhaps only effected, through di-
versity Of productions.
In their present situation, that is little
short ~ ivpposai1,Ia for tho Cuhaps with.