THECUBAREVIEW 31 



SUGAR REVIEW 



Specially written for The Cuba Review by Willett & Gray, New York, N. Y. 



Since our last report, which was dated April 9, the crop in the Island of Cuba has been 

 progressing generally satisfactorily, although an increasing number cf the factories have now 

 finished their crops and the number of centrals working at the present time has been reduced 

 to LSI. Weather conditions have been fairly satisfactory, although recent rains have put the 

 roads in bad shape in one or two sections and there is an occasional ccmi)laint heard of a scarcity 

 of labor. Receipts of sugar at the shii)ping ports have continued very laige, but the amount 

 of tonnage obtainable is still more or less limited, consequently the stock now held in the Island 

 is well over a million tons. The central "San Augustin" in Havana was destroyed by fi^-e after 

 making a crop of 70,000 bags, against the previous estimate of 100,000 bags. Messrs. Guma- 

 Mejer, our coi respondents, have reduced their estimate cf the crop to 3,250,000 tons, against 

 their previous estimate, made en December 24, 1917, of 3,589,429 tons, thus conforming nearly 

 to our estimate of 3,200,000 tons, which we have maintained since last October, based on our 

 own private reports. 



The International Sugar Committee have continued to allot good quantities of sugar at 

 frequent intervals, and they have reported sales up to the present date of slightly over a million 

 bags of Cubas for May shipment. 



During the month the following instructions regarding Cuban shipments have been issued 

 to which we desire to call your attention. 



CUBAN SHIPMENTS. — The American Sugar Refining Co. of New York has issued the 

 following instructions: 



"Of late we are experiencing great difficulty in making entry in the Custom House of 

 cargoes on arrival of steamers, omng to the fact that shipping documents have not been 

 received . 



"In order to comph' with the regulations issued on March 20th bj- the Joint Committee 

 on West Indies Transportation of the United States Shipping Board we are compelled to take 

 dehvery of cargo when the captain notifies us that he is ready to discharge same immediately 

 on arrival of vessel. 



"In view of this state of affairs in regard to discharging, it is necessary that shipping 

 documents should be in hand when steamer arrives so as to avoid, for all parties concerned, 

 any expense that may be incurred, especially for account cf the seller, as per terms of 

 contract. 



"I'o expedite as much as possible the receipt of documents we request that the following 

 method be adopted in future, covering all shipments made for account cf The American Sugar 

 Refining Company : 



"1. All bills of lading to be made out to the order of The American Sugar Refining Com- 

 pany and three (3) copies signed by the captain or agent. 



"2. In all cases, one copy of the bill of lading to be sent by the captain bringing forward 

 the sugar, with instructions to deliver same, through the office of the United States Censor, 

 to the consignee on arrival of the vessel. 



"3. Steamers clearing for Philadelphia: One bill of lading and consular invoice to be 

 sent direct to The Franklin Sugar Refining Company, Philadelphia, Pa.; one bill of lading and 

 copy of invoice to be sent to this office for payment by acceptance of ten dajs' sight draft or 

 cash in ten dajs from receipt of documents; cnebillofladingsent by capta'n for dehvery to 

 consignee, through the office of the United States Censor, on arrival of steamer. 



"4. Steamers clearing for New York: Shipping documents to be sent direct to this office. 

 One bill of lading to be sent by captain for delivery to consignee, through the office of the 

 United States Censor, on arrival of steamer. 



"5. Steamers clearing for Boston: Bill of lading and consular invoice to be sent direct to 

 The American Sugar Refining Company, Boston, Mass.; duplicates to this office for payment 

 against 10 days' siglit draft cr cash in ten daj-s against documents. One bill of lading to be 



