The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-02-13
CUBA HOPING
U. S. WILL BUY
MORE SUGAR
BY ROSCOE sNTPEs

United Press stan COrrespOndent)
Havana, Feb. 12- (UP) Sugar
has been Cubas primary product
and main source Of livelihood for
generations, but today the islands
100000 population, have become
sugar conscious" TO an extent per-.
haps never before equalled In the
republics history.
The shipping shortage and other
factors caused by the war have
whitfield down or swept away
Cuba's trade and business in other
1elds. Her No. 2 industry-to
has disappeared for the duration;
the tobacco, rum and fruit and
vegetable trade has dwindled, and
sugar remains virtually alone as q
source Of living for the Islands
millions rich, middle-cl and.
poor alike.
For months q tremendous debate
has been alive here among all
glasses In the sugar industry, cane
transportation people, and bankers,
government officials and the gen.
eral public, over the question Of
accepting the offer Of the United
States government to buy the 1943
sugar crop, or at least q portion
Of It.
1913 Offer Under AZ
The United States has offered to
buy 100000 tons Of this years
sugar at 2.65 cents per pound, a
purchase representing $l37 300, 900
In total. In addition, an offer
stands from the United States to
buy an extra 100000 tons at
lower price to be stored in Cuba to
supply countries now under Axis
rule, once they are freed from DOM
nation.
Cuba would grind approximately
225,O00 tons more for domestic
consumption and sale In other
countries, raising the saleable crop
total Of 3,225, 900 tons. This would
compare with the 400O,000-ton
crop bought from Cuba by the
United States in 1912.
Sugar men insist that the United
States buy 100000 tons in 194S,
and IN addition they are dissatisfied
with the terms Of the 1943 purchase
offer concerning freight rates and
arbitrary designating certain Gu
ban ports at which the sugar must
be loaded. In addition, certain in
surance arrangements are not to
their satisfaction.
They and the sugar workers urge
. crop considerably larger than the
proposed 100000 plus 100000 tons
In order to extend the grinding sea-
son and provide larger income to
the various groups In both industry
and labor involved In sugar pro-
duction.
lK Million Tons Unshipped
The Cuban government may de-
cree o minimum crop quota as
large as It desires; however, this
figure Is not likely to greatly ex-
cede the capacity Of overseas and
home markets to absorb It.
Merchants, professional men, Of
fee employees, government workers
and even street beggars are con-
cerned with the sugar situation.
Tho man In the street cannot |
understand why the United States |
Is not willing to duplicate in 194S
It's 1000, 000-toYl purchase OF 1912
contracted before sugar rationing |
began. He believes that II the U. s. |
purchases at least as much sugar
this year rationing can be lifted
or eaSed.
Nevertheless, 100000 tons Of last |
years sugar crop bought by the
United States still lie In warehouses
in this country because there are
not enough ships available to ship
the product to Its destination.
Spruille Braden, the American am
bassador, began to warn Cubans
some months before negotiations
for buying the 1943 crop began that
the United States could not buy as
much sugar in 1943 as IN the pre-.
ceding year. Apparently little heed
was given to his warning.
Braden and other U. 8. officials
repeatedly have made It clear that
they desired to aid Cuba's economy
as far as possible. Although Presi-
dent Fulgencio Batista, upon re-
turning from his official visit to the
OultSu 0VtsVSS 1Aov 0SSSAAASSAp SAAsSN
away from public discussion OF
sugar, he undoubtedly must have
discussed the subject with Presi-
dent Roosevelt and with other high
officials In Washington.
Not only are Cubans In every
walk Of lift dependent upon sugar
for their daily bread, but the gov
eminent, burdened with additional
defense obligations due to the
nations entry into the war as a
belligerent, must look to sugar as q
source Of meeting its expenses.
Today, most conversations inev-
itably turn to sugar. Reports OF
conference on the topic, meetings
Of sugar workers, letters to the edi-
tors take their place on the front
pages Of newspapers alongside the
stories Of fighting in Russia, North
AR~aAm a,aA Az (aVaa 10 1Nano1