The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-06-22
THE NEW CUBA.
An Enort 10 Increase American Sale


HAVANA, June 1s.-In no small measure
SPANS failure to hold the loyalty OF her
Cuban colonists was due to the fact that she
treated the island only az feeder in the
industrial economy Of the peninsula. Laws
were made and influence was exerted for
the purpose OF forcing Cuba to make her
purchases In the mother country IL IL
entirely clear that certain American inter-
ests have an idea that similar position is
Cuba proper relation to the United States,
that in some mysterious way the United
States has s.-quired and holds prior claim
on the trade, of the island. 1t is also clear
that fair percentage Of Cuba's officials are
under the impression that this is the view
taken by the American Administration, and
that Cuba's legislators must proceed with
great caution in all economic matters lest
the United States be offended and crack the
whip at Cuba's heels.
The statement may to some seem un-
patriotic, but one of Cuba's greatest mis-
takes appears in the evident fear OF offend
ing or displeasing her big neighbor or any
of It's citizens. Whether American desires
or demands be reasonable or otherwise,
whether they make for or against Cuban
interest and welfare, whether they be
preferred officially or individually, the
officials OF the island evidently labor under
an impression that they are obliged to give
them special and, If possible favorable
consideration. This may he highly crafty
ing to those individual interests which seek
to get something out OF Cuba regardless OF
the methods employed, or the ground upon
which they stand. so long as the desired
end is attained. 1t is, nevertheless, a situa-
ton discreditable to both countries.
Our relations with Cuba are and for
various reasons must be peculiarly intimate.
But no claims or demands may properly be
made upon Cuba by the United States or
any OF its citizens on the score Of what we
have done for her This obtains particu-
larly in matters which can only be granted
or conceded with loss or injury to Cuban
interests. A man who has saved the life
OF another should be most careful about
asking favors or advantages from the saved
on the ground that his act gives him right
to exact special consideration. Such an
act is at best an exhibition Of exceedingly
bad taste. Yet precisely that ground seems
to be taken by certain individual Ameri-
cans and by groups Of Americans in Cuba,
The United States has no more legal or
moral right to all or to any part Of Cuba's
trade than it has to the trade OF Brazil or
Argentina. Those who hold any other view
should endeavor to forget it. Any con-
trary view is a reflection upon the honor
and good faith Of the United States. and no
calls should he made upon Cuba for her
trade that would not be made in the same
way upon any other country. The Platt
Amendment gave the United States certain
rights in the island, but it established no
rights in or claims upon Cuban trade beyond
those which may be secured by ordinary
business methods and processes. We're
crminate against American trade she
would be doing no more than she has right
to do, although such a course might be re-
garded az unfriendly, But she is under no
compulsion to extend special advantages
to American commerce, and the reciprocity
treaty was executed only by the mutual
consent Of the parties TO it, Yet there are
Americans who press for special trade ad-
vantages. and the Cibans are afraid to resist
the pressure Lest oTense be given to the
United States. The point is susceptible
OF concrete illustration.
year and half ago the United States
sent to Cuba special agent. Gen. Bliss, by
whom the terms OF reciprocity treaty were
virtually dictated to the Cubs-is. The
United States gave to Cuba fiat reduction
OF 20 per cent. in its tariff rates on Cuban
products, and obtained in return reduc-
ton in Cuba IS tariff OF from 20 to 40 per cent.
on specified articles. Some months ago
Cuba, very properly considering the inter
ests of her people. proposed reduction in
her tariff on sugar machinery, with view
to aiding that most important industry.
American interests objected on the ground
that such step would be an injury to them.
The American Minister concerned himself
actively in the matter, and the Cuban an-
thorities, supposing that he represented
the purposes Of W Washington, sacrificed the
interests OF their people for the benefit OF
a few American manufacturers
For some time the Cuban Congress has
had under consideration proposal to in
crease the duty on rice, an article OF staple
really the food Of the people
Of the country. About 200 0OO, 900 pounds.
valued at nearly - 900 900, were imported
last year. Ninety per cent OF this was the
product Of the Far East, imported through
England and Germany. The United States
sold only about 500 900 worth, notvithstand- !
ing an advantage Of 40 per cent, in the tariff ,
rate. Naturally. the rice interests Of Texas
and Louisiana want the Cuban market. |
That it can be obtained only by material !
Increase in the cost Of living to every Cuban |
peasant and workman is fact which has !
no interest for them il by any means they |
can induce Cuba to grant their desires
obby, evidently well supplied with the
usually employed in such pro-
,eedings is actively engaged in an effort to
induce or to compel the Cuban Congress to
tx a tariff rate which will give them the
market, In this also the American Minister
8 most active. and because he is the Ameri-
,an Minister, the Cubans suppose that he
s the official mouthpiece Of Washington in
he matter. 1t may be that he ia working
with the knowledge and approval Of Wash
ngton, but it is very doubtful if the State
Department has clear understanding OF
he question; and it is more than doubtful
+ it would approve all the methods en-
,loyed to induce a favorable consideration
II the American aims The acquescence
VI the State Department in the attempt Of
IN American Legation to exercise direct
influence in the legislation of foreign
III