Evening star., 1928-03-08
Protests u. S. Failure
To Aid Cuban Trade
To the Editor OF The Star:


was greatly surprised when reading
in your paper the refusal Of Congress
10 enact legislation for permitting the
importation from Cuba Of cigars In lots
of less than 1000. thereby bringing to
an end The modus vivendi extending
the parcel post convention between that
island and this country.
The administration has fevorably re-
ported the bill 10 change the 1856 to-
bacco law. but 1t would seem that
Congress prefers 10 favor few citizens
or this country who grow tobacco. and
those that manufacture cigars. and dis
regard the convenience TO other citizens.
and the vast interests OF the merchants
who do an enormous business with
Cuba through the parcel post.
II Is acknowledged that Cuba has
faithfully performed her part In the
parcel post agreement for IS years. and
that Two years ago she raised the
weight allowed for mail packages from
pounds and 6 ounces to ii pounds
at the request Of American manufac-
turers. and recently expressed willing
ness TO raise the weight to % pounds.
with c. O. D. privileges, In return for
the right to mail cigars here,
Politicians appear to ignore every
thing but their own private advantages
in securing the votes OF their cons.!tu-
cnts.
The United States Is In duty bound
TO favor Cuban interests, when. as in
the present case. they are also the
interests OF an immense number OF
this country's citizens,
The bcneft OF this modus vivendi 10
Cuba Is very proolematical; the harm,
to American tobacco industries Is in
significant and the advantages are only
10 n limited number OF real Havana
cigar smokers In this country.
The recent Pan-American Congress
at Havana. Cuba. through the able
diplomacy OF DR.. OrestcS Ferrara. head
Of the Cuban delegation. has done
much TO avoid friction. and to increase
the friendship OF the Central and South
American republics to the United
States. and 10 make said conference a
success, The United States has refused
TO do anything for Cuba, her ward.
when In distress Sugar is SO low In
price that IL does not cover cost of
production, The Cuban tobacco is Of SO
different quality and flavor. COM
pared with the American tobacco. that
its importation into this country IN
less than 1000 cigars would not work
eny hardship on the American trade.
but nothing Is considered, and the
yound republic. born with the aid of
the United States. Is being left tn Its
own resources tn exc out It's existence,
and treated as this Nation would treat
Africa or Patagonia.
!. Al the time ot the World War. Cuba
was asked to produce sugar In auanti-
ties TO supply the United States and the
allied nations. and she thus increased
her production enormously. When the
war WAS over. prices slumped and
Cuba was ignored. this being the
thanks she got,
Why wonder that the Central and
South American republics feel n GER
tain mis,rust In the sincerity Of the
intentions of the Colossus Of the
North
The Congress oi this country, BY ITS
refusal 10 sanction II new moduS vivendi.
as desired by Cuba, Is rendering a
hard blow at the commerce Of this
Nation. and permitting European conn
tries to enter field that Was closed To
them~~the parcel post business,
], MORALES