New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-05
SUGAR CRISIS NEAR IN CUBA
Conditions Changing on the Island Since
Reciprocity Went Into Effect

THE Cuba Review and Bulletin publishes in its
current issue article Cuba and It's Sugar
Prospects" by Willett & Gray. statisticians
which shows the tremendous benefits which have
accrued 70 the Cuban sugar growers through the
reciprocity treaty with the United States. The
authors however sound the warning CT a coming
crisis threa teniug Cuba's economic affairs owing
to the decline Of 50 per cent in sugar values n
the last year. The Cuban sugar crop for this year
it is estimated. Will reach the Unprecedented fig
ures of 10000 tons.
The article of Willstt Gray. in part. follows:
4 crisis seems to await Cuba in its sugar interests
ity which came from the reciprocity treaty with
the United States is not likely TO last much be-
are moving toward this end To retain the market
OF the United States for It's entire product Cuba
must give away its entire advantage under the
reciprocity treaty The annual increase in the pro-
in the tinted States I viii cause this result
Already, during the year 1905. Cuba came into
which pay fun Dingley rates of duty in the United
states that IN order TO compete and sell The entire
dersen the beet root sugar markets OF Europe to
10 cents came out of the "a cents a hundred pounds
allowed her by the reciprocity bill -, -.
OF European beet sugar into the United States to
less than Twenty-Five thousand tons in 1905 The
consumption Of all sugar in the United States in
1875 which paid the full duty rates was only 4 Ss3
OF foreign sugar paying full duties in 1906 should
be further reduced to 2S 2s5 TONS according the
ysnaes Under our tsr At the present rate Of
increase of such crops the year 1875 should show
fun duty rates. What will happen then? Con-
sumption rises only at the rate of about per cent
per anuum, while sugar production OF favored IN
terests rises at a much faster rate. The country
paying the highest rate OF duty will be the first
TO feel the effects OF overproduction of favored
sugars The Cuban reciprocity treaty ends on De-
Cernber q. 1905, and whether renewed or not CUBA
will begin 10 be shut out Of the United States
market for some portion at least of her crop by
the increased production OF nOn-duty paying sugars
of Porto Rico. Hawaii, domestic cane and domestic
beet sugars and the lesser paying duties OF the
Philippine Islands Under special favorit1sm the
crops of Porto Rico have increased in eight years
from $1,000 tons in 1888 to 2lO.0o tons IN 1870
Hawaiian crops under reciprocity in 1876 to 1900
and trade since have increased from 1000 tons
in 1876 3S1 O62 in 1860 and TO $1,000 tons in
increased from S0S5S in 1887 TO $4,000 IN
1906 Domestic beet sugar crops have increased
Philippine Island crops, which We're reduced 10
81. 900 tons in 1901 by the plague OF rinderpest.
which destroyed the caribou or cattle used for
field work, a temporary affictton not requiring
duce L, 900 tons of sugar in 1905
The production in 1906 OF all these sugar indus
their production leaves but 223 2s5 tons OF foreign
full duty paying sugar required for the conSumP-
tiOn Of the United States In 1906 allowing the about
per normal average increase OF consumption
over 1905. In confirmation of the steady and more
rapid trend OF the enCroachuent of competition
between the present protected sugar interests. we
full duty paying foreign sugars which have gone
into consumption in the United States in recent
years In 1899 we used 6S2e2o tons OF European
beet sugar against "a 0O0 tons in 1905; in 1902
used 25S.41s OF West India sugar other than
Cuba and Porto Rico. against 961+1 tons in 1905.
In 1901 141 .S9S Of Brazil sugar against
q, 1913 in 1905. In 1900 used 351952 tons
OF Java sugar against 397 900 tons in 1904 and
953916 in 1905. Java has thus far held its
paying country. but it hope to do only
little longer