Evening star., 1923-08-26
BY BEN MckELwAY.
7 INTERPRETATIONS of cuba's

INTERPRETATIONS of Cuba's lat
est row with American interests
depend solely upon the point Of
view. There are those who whis-
per confldentially that it is a plot to
boost the price of sugar. Others pro-
fess to see another indication of what
they term a growing desire on Cuba's
part to kick over the traces. take the
bit in her own mouth and depart on
an unfettered run for parts unknown.
Opponents of the Tarafa consolida-
tion bill. cause of all the uproar, de-
clare the proposed legislation will
conf1scate millions of dollars worth
of American property. Proponents of
the bill maintain just as stoutly that
1t is simple move on the part OF
Cuba to protect herself against
menace to the future OF the island"
Regardless Of interpretations. what
adds double interest to the dispute Is
the fact that boiled down it resolves
itself largely into a fight between
American interests in Cuba, and
American capital will profit by VIC
tory on either side.
The Tarafa bill. which takes it's
name from its sponsor. Col. Jose NJ.
Tarafa. was passed almost unani-
mously by the Cuban house of repre-
sentatives a little while after Am
bassador Crowder left Cuba for Wash
ington. There was little or no dis
cussion, and it's opponents allege the
ways had been well CREASED for its
passage. Indications were that IL it
reached the senate il would pass i'm
mediately, with enough votes and TO
spare to pass it over the presidents
veto. should he take such action. Be
fore it reached the senate the United
States indicated that little delay in
| the matter would be highly appre-
ciated
The Tarafa bill proposes in effect
70 consolidate the public service rail-
ways OF Cuba by establishing a hold
ing corporation which would acquire
| a majority of the shares of at least
| three such railways
Two Of these railways. the bill stip-
| ulates. must be Cuban companies
whose lines are connected and cover
| 400 kilometers of road in operation.
These consolidated railways" would
| make a reduction Of 20 per cent in
| existing rates for sugar hauled more
than $50 kilometers. Privately owned
| railways in municipal districts where
the consolidated lines operate could
not be opened to public service or ex-
tended unless they joined the con-
| solidation.
| Classics Twenty-Five Ports.
The bill Classics twenty-five ports
| in Cuba as national ports" and an
| nuls the rights and concessions pre-
viously granted all other ports to
( import or export. These other ports,
| however, may continue to export
| sugar until they are connected with
a public railroad. paying. in the
meantime. tax to the state Of I5
cents per hundred pounds
| The effect Of the bill, it is main
tained. would be a virtual confisca-
tion Of all ports except those de-
clared national ports" through the
tax Of Is cents per hundred pounds
Of sugar they export, for this tax
in every case. it is stated, would ex-
ceed the difference between the cost
| of shipment through the private ports
and over the consolidated railways.
! American interest in the bill re-
suits from it's effect on the Ameri-
! cans pocketbook. Americans have
invested in sugar in Cuba to the
extent Of $1,031, ,o6s.7ss. Americans