The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-23

green nitrogenous crops to be p1owed under, greatly enhance the value of an acre. The experiment station work. done under the general supervision of 1 the American Department of Agricul- | ture, has done much to improve tho | methods of cane growing in Cuba. The acreage now devoted to sugar cane Is twice as great as 1t was when Spain left the island on the first of January, 1899. Millions of dollars have been invested in these ten years, and there are other millions waiting only to see the result of the second experiment of the republic of Cuba in self-government. The promise that Philippine sugar is to come into the l States free of duty, and the general | uncertainty about the American tarif, are having restraining effect. But l the sugar men believe.-that &he tariff changes win be adjusted by the com stantiy increased demand. The grave question for them is: win Cuba have peace?
 An English planter in Havana, de- claring that the Cuban republic could not long exist, held up Q box of matches to point his moral and adorn his tale. "So long as we can buy matches. and so long as we can hire enough sniggers for ten pesos to burn fields and sugar mills, SO long will we havei the power of revolution in our hands" = It may have been bluster. but 1t contained more than a grain of truth. When the sugar grinding season is over the sugar planters can turn their erstwhile laborers into 2 patriotic army of revolution over- night. If the republic of Cuba does live and prosper, and after 1t has proved its vitality by some fifty years of un- interrupted peace, 1t ought to adopt as It's hefaidic device . representa- ton of sugar bowl rampant and box of matches eouefant A box of matches is the most expensive thing in the island. The American wooden match is rare, and the little wax vestas cost i've cents Q box. This Is due to the internal revenue tax. The gray-green stamp on the box declares that this tax is Imposed for the es- pecial purpose of paying off the $35s OO0,00 loan. That loan was floated to get money to pay the, revolutionists The chief strength of the revolution was in the torch. Cuban Independence began in a box of matches. 1t Is pay ing for 1t by taxing matches, and it will endure only If 1t can conquer the menacesof a box of matches.
 Its only hope of being able to make that conquest lies in the sugar bowl. If the new government can contrive  out discouragiging the sugar field la- borers, there will be plain sailing ahead for the republic of Cuba. That is a problem which will require great | wisdom and skill, but it may be solved. Sugar Is Cuba's greatest as- set. Without it the island would bo all but worthless, leaving aside the | small western territory devoted to l tobacco. As a sugar producer Cuba has a claim upon civilization for the civilized world cannot live without sweets. Not very long ago sugar was looked upon as very harmful thing. A Barbardoes planter published an essay in defense of his crop, some two hundred years ago, In which he de- fined sugar as "the most pleasant and useful vegetable to mankind" The health and happiness of the brawny Cuban field laborer, who lives and has his being by virtue of the honey-laden cane. and who eats sugar in every form every day. goes far to substanti- ate the dictum of the learned Dr. But Ter, who was the most eminent physi- clan in London in Shakespeare day's.l Dr. Butler said:
 "That which preserves apples and wili also preserve liver and lungs"
 Cuba looks to sugar for the preser- vatIon of it's national life and indus- trial prosperity.
 Copyright, 1909. by Fredric J. Has-)
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