THE CUBA REVIEW 



The Malecon, Havana 



HAVANA CORRESPONDENCE 



Havana, February 4th, 1918. 



The Cuban Congress reconvened on Jan. 14th, after the hohday vacation, and the first 

 day was taken up with the reading of President Menocal's message, in which he asked for 

 necessary authority to control Cuba's food and fuel supplies with the power to punish for 

 hoarding, overcharging and other infractions of decrees already in effect or to apply in connec- 

 tion with future decrees, mention being made that it might be necessary for the Government 

 to buy or sell foodstuffs in order to regulate prices. Reference was also made to enemy aliens 

 and authority requested such as has been granted other executives to confiscate, administrate 

 or sell property of enemy aliens. The President further stated the railroads were very import- 

 ant factors in connection with moving the present sugar crop, but were working under a great 

 many difficulties, and recommended that he be given authority to operate the railroads in 

 Cuba similar to that which has besn given the President o^ the United States. The bill 

 covering obligatory military service has been referred to the Senate Committee on miUtary 

 affairs. The amnesty bill is still under discussion, but it is understood that some compromise 

 will very shortly be reached. 



An aviation corps is to be established in connection with the Cuban Army, and it is said 

 that 20 aeroplanes have been ordered ; also that Cuba has asked for the release of some of her 

 aviators in active service with the Allies in Europe, so that they may return and act as in- 

 structors here. 



Cuba has followed the example of the United States as regards reducing the consumption 

 of electricity for public illuminating purposes ; also the sunrise and sunset guns have been dis- 

 continued, as well as the 9 o'clock cannon. These were all fired at Cabanas Fortress, and tour- 

 ists will particularly remember the 9 o'clock cannon which, it is stated,was adopted from Madrid, 

 as upon its discharge it was the custom for the male inhabitants to pull out their watches and 

 compare the time. 



In Havana there has been no bread baked and put on sale for several weeks past, as the 

 supply of flour has been totally exhausted. In its place some cornmeal has been made into 

 bread. The majority of the people have been obliged to use crackers as a substitute for bread 

 which has resulted in an enormous demand for this article and an increase in its price, over a cent 

 apiece being charged for the ordinary soda cracker. However, with a view to preventing this, 

 the Government has intervened and fixed a maximum price at which these crackers may be 

 sold. Since our last advice a few small lots of flour have been imported, practically all con- 

 signed to the sugar mills in the interior, but it is expected that the merchants in Havana will 

 soon be receiving small shipments and when this occurs bread will be baked and again placed 

 on sale, although in a considerably smaller quantity than normally. The sugar mills have also 

 imported some lard, but this commodity is not yet on sale in Havana, although it is expected 

 that there will soon be a supply. In addition to regulating the price of crackers the Food Com- 

 mission has had to fix the prices for evaporated and condensed milk, rice, and many other 

 articles, to prevent unscrupulous merchants from overcharging customers. 



