The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1912-04-13

bill. from imposing a heavy export
duty on sugar similar to that laid
on coffee by Brazil and Costa Rica?
In that event there would be no more
benefit to us from free sugar than
we received from free coffee-none
at all
free sugar on our domestic Industries
but what about Porto Rico and Ha-
wall What about Cuba which en-
Joys such favorable reciprocal treat.
les with us? Exact data in regard
to Porto Rico and Hawaii are diff
cult to obtain, but | am informed by
well.posted men that very serious
blow would be given to both of these
islands If sugar is made free. Porto
Rica now produces nearly 100000
tons of Sugar-almost as much as
Louisiana-and the industry is a
thriving one; but conditions for
growing cane in that island are not
as favorable as in Cuba, and if the
Cuban sugar can come in free, profits
on the Porto Rican article will be
very much reduced. Moreover Por-
to Rico now enjoys a fine trade in
coffee with Cuba, selling the nearly
one-half of its entire production OF
coffee at our preferential rate of 20
per cent less duty than that which
coffee from other countries has to pay
Coffee is the principle product of Por-
to RIGA and Cuba her best customer.
Brazil can raise coffee cheaper than
Porto Rico and If our reciprocal trade
with Cuba be destroyed by this Dill,
a result which must necessarily fol-
low If sugar becomes free, Brazilian
coffee would drive the Porto Rico ar
ticle out of the Cuban market. Hence
both the sugar and coffee trade OF
Porto Rico will be badly injured.
! am assured by representatives OF
the Hawaiian people that while a
few of their best improved planta'
lions may be able to raise sugar in
competition with the beet sugar OF
Germany and the cane of Java and
Cuba, the great mass of Hawaii cane
growers will be forced to quit bust
ness is sugar is admitter free.
A most serious situation arises in
connection with Cuba, and one which
gives me as southern man, very
deep concern. Close students of af-
fairs of the island-men who have
lived there for many years and are
thoroughly posted-question very
seriously whether or not the Cubans
can raise and export sugar as cheap
as the Germans, especially when one
considers the magnificent railroads,
waterways, and terminal facilities in
Germany and the power of that great
Government, through its State own
ership of railroads, to assist the ex-
ports 1t is trying to exploit by eX-
traordinarily cheap freights. We are
now buyers of all the Cuban sugar,
which comes in at an import rate OF
20 per cent lower than their foreign
competitors have to pay, and this
gives them a great advantage in sci
ling to us. Moreover, we sell to them
annually about S60,000,000 of various
kinds of merchandise under a treaty
which faSors us between 20 and 4C
per cent. The fact that we buy from
them all of their great sugar cror
and sell them such large percent
age of what they need makes very
close relation between the two coun
tries and enables us to keep in close
touch with them. II our treaty with
Cuba be abrogated by this bill-and
there can be no other result--if Other
countries, particularly Java and Ger
many can send their sugars here OF
exactly the same terms as Cuba; Il
the world can trade with Cuba on the
same terms as ourselves, then the
best market for their sugar will b,
taken from them; and this together
with the hurly-burly of competing
rivalry among the merchants Of many
lands striving for the Cuban trade, il
liable to cause much dissencion, con
fusion and national loss. In this ey
ent there is very apt to be such in
testinal trouble as to create revolu
ton, which will render it necessary
for us to intervene and our flag will
never be lowered if it is ever agar
raised there at the head of a hostile
force.
| would regard the annexation o
Cuba as terrible calamity to tn,
Caucasian race in this country. w,
already have not only in the Soutl