The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-10-23


has to pay 10000 per pound. This law
has been the reason Of the economic
situation in Cuba during the present
year. Since May until today all the
Cuban sugar exported to the United
states ports has been paid more than
$50 600 900 on account Of the excess Of
tax before the emergency law.
The advance in tariff duties that the
United States has put on sugar and
tobacco and the increase OF 80 per
cent by the English government put
on the Cuban tobacco year ago has
been all the compensation that the
people Of the Great Antilla have re-
ceived, after giving all their sugar at
f4c per pound when needed most during
the war.
The United States. with its insular
possessions, produces only two million
tons OF sugar, and the necessities OF
the states are 100000 tons per year,
and the consumption OF this article is
Increasing. The other 1000, 600 tons are
supplied by Cuba. No other country
In the world can compete with Cuba
on the American market, because the
cost OF production is so much lower
than in other countries; with the prox-
unity to the United States and the
treaty OF reciprocity will not permit
other countries to compete.
The protest made BY the Cuban peo-
pie and government was seconded by
all the American interests in sugar
plantations in Cuba and also the
American Association Of Manufactur
ers ana Packers had been protesting
in favor OF Cuba. According to the
report Of the last convention the manu-
facturers and packers sent to Cuba
during the last year merchandise
amounting to five hundred and fifteen
million dollars.
The emergency law put in danger
the interests OF American manufactur-
ers and packers, insurance and naviga-
ton companies that has established
trade between ports Of the United
states and Cuba. If the mentioned law
is not modified the Cuban government
viii have to resign the treaty OF reci-
procity in force with the United States
and the merchandise from the United
States viii have to pay into the Gu
ban custom house tariff equal with the
other countries. It Is very likely that
the American commerce in Cuba VIII
suffer because or this. for they cannot
compete with the nlerchandise import
ca from Europe and South America
The Cuban money in value Is equal
to the United states. and with the ac-
tual type Of exchange Cuba could buy
more cheaply in Europe and South
America, where they use insurance and
ships Of their own for transportation.
Cuba Imported in 1920 from the United
States merchandise amounting to half
million dollars more than all Of
South America and Mexico together
during the same year.
All the Cubans are hoping that the
congress in washington win remember
the early morning OF April 9th. 1898,
when they gave the proclamation for
the people of Cuba to be independent
and with free rights, viii study well
the change Of the new Fordney bill
and not put the rope around Cuba's
neck. killing the commercial relations
between the two countries that for all
time have been united with sincerity,
and modify this law with respect to
Cuba or make an allowance in the
treaty OF reciprocity that will equalize
the tariffs paid before the emergency
law went into force showing again
that the American nation that helped
Cuba to gain her independence at
ter SO years of fighting does not for
get their traditions and appreciate the
service rendered by small countries
during the war against Germany.
The earliest sugar crop will start
In December and the cost should be
one-sixth OF the cost OF last years
crop. At this time the economic situa-
ton win be better in Cuba and the
crisis will have disappeared.
"A few New York banks have offered
the Cuban government a loan amount
ing to $50, 100000. but the one that has
given the highest proof OF friendship
to Cuba was the Speyer house, which
has manifested no necessity to make
an investigation OF the Cuban finances,
because they know the richness of the
country and the dependability of the
men who govern the Cuban republic
They promise to better the type of in
terest against any offer made by 9TH
er banks.
This loan 10 not needed to cover any
shortage. or for any other purpose than
to organize a commercial and egrfcul-
tural bank in Cuba, under control OF
the government to make loans and adj
vances to sugar and tobacco growers
and other industries. Many countries
in Europe and South America would
like to be in similar circumstances
that Cuba now enjoys.
The port OF Pensacola has estab-
lished for many years commercial re-
lations with Cuba. which are increas-
ing very rapidly, and when this crisis
disappears this port will have a great
future, because OF the facilities Of the
port, with railroad lines extending to
the point OF loading the ships. And
with the Inauguration of the Cuban
South Coast Trading Co. which is
sending its first ship next month, es-
tablishing a continuous passenger and
cargo line between Pensacola and Gu
ban ports: this win bring great de-
velopments in the interchange OF mer-