T n E C U B A K E V I K W 



HAVANA CORRESPONDENCE 



Rpfprenpc was made in our last letter to the opening of the eishtli Cuban Congress on 

 Nov. oth. Sinee then there has been no important leKislation made by that body, althouRh 

 among the subjects most discussed have been those of compulsory military service which is 

 being fostered by the party in power, and the question of anmesty in favor of the participants 

 in the Cuban revolution last winter, which is being insistently urged by the Liberal party. 

 President Menocal has expressed himself very strongly in favor of compulsory military service 

 with the enrolling by selective draft of 5,000 men annually to receive military training during 

 a period of three years. There are other bills pending in Congress which are important and 

 shoidd be given prompt consideration, but those interested in endeavoring t(j put through the 

 anmesty bill are hindering the taking up of such sul)jects. The President, however, has plainly 

 indicated in conferences had by him with the Liberals that he is firmly ojiposcd to a general am- 

 nesty, particularly as regards the leaders of this revolution, and insists that they should be 

 severely punished for the part taken by them. 



After many long conferences held by representatives of the Cuban sugar interests in the 

 North with the International Sugar Committee, an agreement has been reached for a base 

 price of S4.90 per 100 lbs., which means S4.60 per 100 lbs., F. O. B. Cuban ports, plus an es- 

 timated ocean freight rate of 30c. to New York, the definite rate F. O. B. Cuban ports to be 

 decided upon later. The Palma Sugar Co. of Oriente Province, is the first mill to grind this 

 season, and on Nov. 3d, they reported they had ready for shipment 10,000 sacks which will 

 be destined to relieve the shortage. 



To relieve the great scarcity of labor in the cane fields, Chinese laborers are being imported 

 and it is stated there are many more en route; also, a large number of Haitians and Jamaicans 

 have been brought over for this same purpose. As considerable trouble is occurring among the 

 mills in the eastern end of the Island as regards difficulty with their labor, several strikes having 

 come up, the Government has indicated that it will take serious measures with any agitators 

 who may be apprehended, several such having already been deported, and a representative 

 of the Government has also been treating with the strikers towards securing a satisfactory 

 settlement of their demands. 



As regards the shortage of sugar sacks, it is reported that large shipments amounting to 

 5,000,000 sacks are now en route direct from India to Cuba to supply the needs. The weather 

 has generally been cool for some time back, which is favorable to the cane, although we under- 

 stand considerable damage has been done in the eastern end of the Island by heavy rains. 



In our previous letter we referred to the meeting to be held in Havana of sugar mill inter- 

 ests and cane growers, to arrive at a better understanding and co-operation in the production 

 of the coming sugar crop. This meeting was duly held, but no definite understanding was ar- 

 rived at in the first session, and nothing further has been done in the matter. 



An idea of the stimulation given the sugar industry may be gathered from the fact that ac- 

 cording to Government reports the importation of sugar machinery during the fiscal year end- 

 ing June 30th last amounted to over .SI 1,000,000 as against $6,000,000 the preceding year. 



Also several contracts have been let for the construction of the new mills and others are in 

 process of organization. 



With a view to lowering the prices of meats, vegetables, etc., the city of Havana last week 

 opened a new public market located on Carlos III Avenue, consisting of a number of open, 

 wooden booths from which the goods are sold at retail. This new market has been ver>' largely 

 patronized since its opening, and prices for goods sold there are considerably lower than ob- 

 tained in the other markets, the result being that many times some stocks are sold out within 

 a few hours after opening, and the buyers have been so many that the police have had to mter- 

 vene to preserve order. 



The local members of the Consejo Nacional de Defensa Economica (National Committee 

 of Economic Defense) have warned Havana that care should be taken in the consumption of 

 flour, lard and such foodstuffs, also in the use of electric current, calling attention to the fact 

 that the gas and electric company has stated they will be forced to shut down if they can- 



