CUBA AND THE UNITED STATES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 34, 9 February 1934, Page 4

CUBA AND THE UNITED STATES

THE interest of the United States in the island State of Cuba is not only historical, but also real, and that is why the former Power is watching with considerable interest the ebb and flow of revolution in its island neighbour. The ties which bind Cuba and the United States together arc both geographical and economic. Geographically, Cuba stands in the way of the United States, in that it is right across the mouth of the Mississippi, and so, in the hands of an unfriendly Power, it could dominate the outlet to the high seas of the whole of the Mississippi basin, and also the main shipping lanes between North and South America. It is also so placed that it could inconvenience the movement of shipping traffic which passed through the Suez Canal. The strategic importance of Cuba has long been recognised by the Administrations of the United States, and attempts were made during the nineteenth century to purchase the island from Spain. Spain would never entertain any offers of cash purchase, although it could never benefit itself by the possession. This lack of ability to benefit by the possession of Cuba arose through sheer inability on the part of Spain to fashion a rational policy. Finally, the Cubans themselves, after a longperiod of exasperating rule, revolted, and with the aid of the United States, gained their freedom. Freedom, however, is a relative term, and this the Cubans themselves soon found out. The United States has become a thoroughly industrialised country needing raw materials and markets. Cuba is still in the agricultural stage of economic development. It lacks fuel, but has an abundance of minerals. Cuba needs machinery, textiles and flour; and the United States needs sugar, vegetables and fruits, tobacco, coffee, manganese and copper. By a treaty entered into by the two countries in 1903, an endeavour was made to regulate the interchange of goods, but during the interim conditions have changed, and with the depression in the United States the State of Cuba has, in common with many other communities, lost its market. The subsequent depression has hit Cuba very hard indeed, and as a result of the consequent discontent, revolutions have been the order of the day. When more favourable trade conditions prevail, the Cubans will think of business and less of politics, and peace will again prevail in the tropical country.