Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-12
RESULT OF HIS VISIT
SITUATION AN ARGUMENT FOR
RATIFICATION.
Called on President Palma, Who Says
Some Kindly Things of the
American People.

Representative Babcock has just returned
from his second visit to Cuba. He went
there first in 1895, and he declares enthusi-
astically that the Cuba OF '9S was no more
like the Cuba Of '02 than the methods OF
Weyler were like those of Wood. The
change was greater than anything / even
dreamed Of" remarked Mr. Babcock to
Star reporter today. Cuba is prosperous.
She has a big sugar crop and she will get
100 per cent more for it than last year.
Her people show this change m their faces,
the cities show 1t in improved sanitary con-
ditions. the country shows it in well kept
places. 1t is not starving Cuba any
longer The financial condition Of the gov
ernment is good. and there is money enough
to do business.
Argument for Ratification.
'All Of this is the strongest argument for
the ratification of the Cuban treaty. There
is a great market in Cuba for American
goods With the peculiar trade conditions
there it will be absolutely impossible for
the United States to get this market with
out the advantage Of tariff concessions.
The business of the island has been in the
hands of Spanish and German merchants
for the past hundred years. These mer-
chants are good tradesmen, they know the
methods, they know their customers and
they will hold the trade as long as they
are not competed with in the way of lower
prices. This sort of competition would be
possible on our part If the pending Cuban
treaty which would allow American goods
to go into the island at 20 per cent re-
duction on the present tariff, We're made
operative.
a great business oversight on the part OF
the American Congress. Cubans are friend
ly to Americans. They are anxious for
the reciprocal trade arrangement. Their
fyrn tn
bacco, and this they export. All, prac-
tically all Of their necessities of life they
import, and the United States would get
absolutely all of this trade under the treaty
concessions.
Situation Has Reversed Itself.
ITO my mind. the situation as to Cuba
has reversed Itself since the question OF
going to her relief was up during the last
session. She was then just finding herself
after the war. Today she is doing business.
That business may be participated in by US
or 1t may be left to others. II we under
take to share in it there is no doubt that
both Cuba and the United States will con-
tinue the prosperity and develop Cuba
necessities and buying possibilities. Inc
needs of the island are many now, but they
can undoubtedly be developed almost with
out limit.
american trade in the island just at the
present time Is at complete standstill Ihe
way or the other over the treaty. The Cu-
bans will not even buy tobacco labels in
this country. holding their orders to get the
benefit of the proposed lower duties. With
everything else this same desire holds good,
with the result that American trade is Ian
gushing there just now The effect of this
holding off will be that just as soon as the
trade arrangement is pnade operative busi-
ness will start up with rush. and the de-
layed orders will come all at once And
there is no reason why the sudden start
hot in n 81 r.
manency.
Called on President Palma.
'In company with Minister SQuires I
called an President Palma The treaty was
naturally uppermost in the mind of Cuba's
president, and he believes that it will be
ratified There is no question of the good
feeling existing among the Cubans for
Americans, and on this President Palma
commented. The present condition OF the
government finances and the general look
ing up of the business Of the island was
also a source of qualification to the island
republics first president.
/ In company with Minister Squires MI.
Babcock was conveyed in an automobile TO
the proposed United States naval station
near Havana. He spent a week in clrcu-
lating through the country. principaliy IN
the vicinity of Havana. Mr.. Babcock was
A accompa MED by Mrs. Babcock. and the visit
was declared to have been most enjoyable
one from every standpoint. Coming back 10
Florida Mr.. Babcock spent several days In
fishing for big fish. He returns to his du-
ties feeling very much rested and in splen-
did health and spirits.
Indorses the Treaty.
''You cannot emphasize too strongly my
UNQUALIFIED Endorsement of the Cuban
treaty." he declared in conclusion. "and my
belief in the absolute necessity for its inn
mediate ratification-a necessity more for
this country's business prosperity than
anything else"
Mr. Babcock will call upon President
Roosevelt and make an informal report on
the Cuba he found this year as compared
with the Cuba he saw four years ago.