Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-05-26
GUDl PRQSP[R|NG
UNDER INDEPENDENCE
sHoWs WONDERFUL DEVELOP
MENr SINCE UNITED STATES
REMOVED SPANISH YOKE.
rrERwAaEs FOR WORKERS,
Better sANiTARY CONDITIONS.
Trade With othsr Nations Increased
Observation-Disclosures States to Lose
Beth Business and Sentimental Re-
Iationship When Underwood Tariff
on sugar Goes Into Effect.
Especial correspondence.)


Especial Correspondence.)
Washin gton. May 26-Cuba has Just
celebrated the anniversary Of the ac-
tual establishment Of her independ-
ence. May 20, q historic date in the
island, was observed with festivities OF
all sorts. for the day is akin to the
American Fourth Of July. President
wilson sent q message Of congratula-
ton to the Cuban government on this
occasion and the celebration was one
in which practically the entire popula-
ton participated. This year marks
the twentieth anniversary Of the break
Ing out Of the revolution Of 1896 and
1t was May 20. 1902. when the United
States turned the government OF the
island over to the elected Cuban Of.
ficials.
Little Nation Prospsrs.
Our Fourth of July marks the anni-
yersary Of the declaring Of 1ndepend-
ence but the date of May 20 in Cuba
is even more significant because II
marks the time when independence
was actually realized and accomplished
after 400 years Of bondage to Spain.
The anniversary has been in this In
stance the occasion for examination
into the remarkable economic develop
ment Of Cuba in recent years as well
as for the celebration Of the day with
fitting festivities. ;.
Cuba's development in the years OF
her independence is comparable 10
the economic development Of the Unit
ed States that grew out of the separa-
ton from England. For the first two
or three years after American inter-
yention commercial conditions In CUBA
were bad, TOR three or four years OF
turmoil and budding revolution were
not good for business. In 1894. hve
wears before the revolution the Cuban
sugar crops exceeded 100000 tons
year, and not till 1903 was the same
Weld again secured. The crops OF the
last three years, however, in this prtn-
cipal industry OF the island, have aV-
eraged $500, 900 tons. In 1902 the total
exports Of the island were $51,O0O,OOO
as compared with $1S8.000.oO in 1914.
In the same period the imports into
the island Increased from SCI, 900 to
S135. OO0, 900. Meanwhile, according to
our own government figures exports
from the United States to Cuba grew
from approximately $27,00o.0oo In 1902
to approximately 100000 in 1914.
our imports from Cuba In 1902, were
s35, 900. 900 and in 1914 they had grown
to nearly four times that size. or $l3l.-
100000, an import increase indicating
our need of Cuba's sugar.
Undoing Work Of Mckinley.
One important influence in the sub
stantial increase Of our exports to
Cuba has been the reciprocity treaty
which became effective Dec. II. 1903.
This treaty has been the kind OF tie
which President Mckinley in his mes
sage to congress in December. 1898,
described in memorable words. The
new Cuba to arise from the ashes OF
the past" he declared, must be bound
to us by ties of singular intimacy ana
strength if its enduring welfare Is to
be assured" In large measure this tie
will be loosened on May I. 1915, when
the free sugar clause Of the Under
wood tariff bill goes into effect This
clause has the practical effect OF can
ceiling the treaty Of 1908. BY the terms
of this treaty Cuban sugar Is given
20 per cent preferential in the United
States, while concessions on specified
articles from 20 to 40 per cent are
granted by Cuba on American I'M
ports. From us Cuba buys large guam
titles OF wood, lumber, wheat and -four.
and we depend upon her sugar pfanta-
tions for the raw materials for our re-
fineries. The practical abrogation OF
the treaty viii have the result OF TAX
ing away from the United States the
advantage which 1t has hitherto en-
loved in Cuban markets, at the same
time weakening the sentimental tie
now binding us to that republic.
Increase in Imports.
Il Is remarkable to note that Cuba
is one of the few countries that shows
an increase In imports from the United
States since the beginning Of the Euro
mean war. The figures for the nine
months following July, 1913, were $780,
OoO. 600, while for the same period from
July. 1914, they were $55,000OOO In
the meantime imports from the United
States to Argentina, Brazil, Chile,
China, British India, Japan, and other
nations have dropped. The war has OF
course helped the Cuban sugar bud-
ness for It has boosted prices to such
an extent that whereas q year ago
Cuba was getting cents a pound from
England, she is today getting 81 cents.
The seasons tobacco crop in Cuba was
destroyed by heavy storms but the big
nrices received for sugar have prac-
tically Offset that loss, and the island 1s
In q very prosperous condition.
Better Wages Paid.
The independent government Of Cuba
has unquestionably improved condi.
tons In every way. Both common and
skilled labor gets better wages than
before. The standard Of living has
gone up. The school system installed
by American authorities has been
maintained and extended. There is
said to have been no lowering in the
standard of sanitation and hygiene.
Political conditions still continue to be
more or less Of disturbing element.
m effort to reunite the liberal party
which IL now split into three groups,
being the latest development. General
Menocars administration 10 described
by those who are familiar with the
facts as admirable It has been with
out scandal and with the earnest pur-
pose to be honest and patriotic, Just
now every attempt 10 being made to
~v,vronrfotf0ra 9nnora1 Memo.