The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-08-15
Struggle for Bread Is One of Chief Causes of Dis- content and One Sure Cause for Revolt Number of Unemployed Cannot Be Figured
By JOSEPH IF: BAIRD


 United Press Stan Correspondent, Washington, Aug 15.-A strug gle for bread, observers here agree is the basis of Cuba's unrest, al though on the surface, 1t assumel a. political aspect.
 Few nations, economists say suffered as much as Cuba from thu worldwide economic depression Lack of adequate statistics make, 1t impossible for officials here ever to estimate the extent of Cuban un- employment, but they know 1t is enormous.
 Cuba is a lone crop country Fully four fifths of It's total ex- ports are sugar. ver-production competition from the new sugar in- dustry of Java. higher tariffs i'm posed by importing countries and g. precipitate drop in sugar prices during recent years have ruined prominent Sugar barons," left thousands of workers jobless and created widespread discomfort.
 A glance at statistics reveals the story of Cuba's econoimc plight around 1920 sugar brought 20 cents per pound. Cubas raw sugar exports that year were worth $724,150,000. Everyone was pros- porous plantation owner and work CT alike. The casinos of Havana were gay.
 A decade later raw sugar brought one and one half cents per pound. The 1929 crop yielded only $188,- 635, ,735. More than a 1,500,O0 ton surplus piled up. There was poverty and discontent.
 Cuba is trying to fight its way out of this predicament under a plan recently drawn up by Thomas Chadbourne which provides Cuba will dispose of its surplus over five years at the rate of 30O,000 tons per year.
 Meanwhile, thousands of cane cutters and mill workers are job less. Dwindling profits Gin some cases absolute losses) of the em- ploying class limit the island S buying power, with i'll result to merchants. bankers and profess sional men.
 United States capital flowed in a constant stream into Cuba during the flush years of 20-cent sugar. Investments of U. s. citizens in the islands - roughly $1,50O. 1000, 900 are greater than in any foreign country. save Canada. These strong financial ties, supplementing poll tical bonds, make Cuba's fate i'm portant to the United States.
 Aside from investments in sugar, New York bankers have bought heavily of Cuban bonds. Cuba has a large external debt. Financial here say that the island owes approximately $172,00O, ,000 to New York banks and American bond holders. The Chase National bank of New York alone advanced Cuba a $20,000,000 credit. Inter- est payments depend on taxes. Taxes depend on prosperity. Pros- perity depends on sugar.
 According to officials here, the island has reached the limit of it's capacity. Meanwhile, President Machado has inaugural ed a strict program of economy. The Cuban budget for the current fiscal year is $60,000.000. a de- crease of approximately $16,000.- 900 under the last one.
 lHo DdSIS OL ucdIiy dil ISVolu- tions, observers here point out. is economic. When the men are bereft of their jobs and feel the pinch of hunger, they ask:
 Gan our lot be improved by new leaders?"
 So 1t Is in Cuba.
 Cuban agricultural schools are alta acking the curse of "one- crop" economy by encouraging farmers to plant crops other than sugar-cane. The island is seek Ing also to build up manufactur- ing industry behind high tariff walls.
 But for many years. economists believe, Cuban prosperity will de- pend on the price of and demand for sugar in international markets.
 Revolt Near End
 Havana, Cuba, Aug 15- UP)- Cuba's week of revolt was believed near an end today with Loyal troops victorious and most of the rebel ringleaders captured.
 Gen Mario Menocal, former pres ident and head of the revolt, was