The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1911-03-30
ADVISES YANKEES
TO EXPLOIT CUBA
Big Future Seen in Island
Republics Commercial
Possibilities.

POSSIBILITIES.
Indianapolis, March 30.-Adyice to
indianapolis business men and manu-
facturcrs to- send their travelling sales
men to Cuba instead Of trying to
work" the already developed markets
Of the United States was given in an
address before the Commercial club,
by J. Nelson Polhamus, Cuban consul
mt New Orlans. Polhamus pointed out
that Cuba. while exporting more than
II imports. is rapidly increasing trade
In both lines, and that the imports
into the island grow each year. In
some lines. he said. the United States
gets the bulk of the Cuban business
but In others this nation lags behind.
lie said there Is only one glass factory
on the island. and that the glass man
ufacturing field In that country is sus-
fine field for shoes. and for some
other kinds OF leather goods in Cuba,
he said. In the matter OF sending cot
ton goods to the island, he said the
trade Is more profitable to the Euro
pean countries than to the United
States.
island 10 Productive.
The great productivcness of the is
land was dwelt on by the consul, who
said that the price of land varies with
the size and location of the tract
some land running to several thOus-
ands of dollars an acre. but other land
being on the market at as low as s.
an acre. Land on which tobacco is
planted, he said, commonly produces
about $500 an acre. and $1,000 Is not
unusual. Garden truck runs from
800 to $500 an acre, he said. Pineap-
pies bring from Sl60 to $500 an acre
Cane nets the grower from $50 to $50
an acre. This Is the principal export,
800. 100000 worth of sugar being ex-
ported last year.
The taxing system of Cuba was
pointed out by Polhamus as one of it's
advantages. In that country. he said
reproductive land Is not taxed. He
cited a vacant lot In city as an H.
iustration. saying that no taxes were
levied against the property until
building or house was erected there
on. Taxes also are levied. not on the
estimated value of the property he
said. but on the income the property
produces. The taxes on city proper
~ throughout the island average 1863
per cent Of the income on rural prop
crty the tax Is about 6.25 per cent of
the income.
In speaking of what the island de-
sires for tho future. Polhamus said
f.,L. Il,
gress in commercial and educational
lines. I'VE desire no revolutions" he
said. I'VE do not want annexation.
We arc only asking that we be left
alone for awhile to work out our own
destiny" He expressed confidence
In the ability Of the country to grow
and develop in a rapid manner. point
ing to the progress It has made with
In the last twelve years.
Great Growth is Shown
Dating from January l, 1899. when
the first American Intervention be-
gan" he said, the number of per-
sons able to read and write has in
creased nearly $40 per cent The rate
Of mortality has decreased 165 per
try In the world showing n better
health record. The balance of trade
has arisen from deficit of So 800
900 to a credit of about $4,000. 000
showing an increase of l3S per cent.
The mileage of railroads has increas-
ed 100 per cent. The mileage of the
splendid macadam roads Cuba is
building has increased from 15S to
92S miles during that period. January
!. 1899. Cuba began business without
penny In her treasury, and in an
apparently impoverished condition.
Since that time she has spent about
$3t5. zoo. 900 in the rehabilitation of
the country. and yet with ali her
bonded indebtedness the per capita
obligation IL only $2s,20. which Is less
than that of the United States.
In discussing trade relations be
tween the United States and Cuba.
polhamus took up the matter of the
Americans trying tn develop the Gu
ban field as market for American
products, aud also the matter of pat
ronizing Cuban industries. urging a
closer commercial relationship be
tween the two countries. He dealt
also with the sanitary conditions in
the island. saying that the country is
making wonderful strides i'm SANTA
ton. He declared there had been no
yellow fever In the island within the
last five years.
Polhamus came here from Cincin.
natl. where he addressed the com.
mcrcial organization of that city. He
II making n tour of several cities in
the central part of the United States,
having been commissioned by his gov
extension. lie was the organizer and
the first chief of the custom house
service and the bureau Of navigation
In Cubs. lie was taken on trip
around Indianapolis by officers of the
Commercial club and reception in
his honor at the club was attended by
many business men.