THE CUBA REVIEW 13 



Exports during first half Aiif/ust, 1917 Quantity 



Tobacco in bales 6,692 



Cigars 2,577,454 



Cigarettes (packages) 558,283 



Smoking tobacco (kilograms) 7,347 



Most of the cigars were forwarded to England, amounting to 1,961,491, next comes 

 the United States with 771,770, and then France with 375,(300 cigars. The average price of the 

 bale tobacco exported during the past month of July was $73.54, which is stated to be greater 

 than that for July of any year since 1913, when the price for the corresponding month of that 

 year was $59.08. The average price per thousand for cigars exported in July was .$87.76, this 

 being also reported as greater than in July of past years, with the exception of 1913, when the 

 price was $67.74. The cost of the production of manufactured tobacco has greatly increased 

 lately, due to the higher wages paid the workers, the increased cost of the tobacco itself, and 

 various other causes. As a result, the Union of Cigar Manufacturers and the Havana Tobacco 

 Co. (usually called the "Tobacco Trust") have agreed to increase the price of all cigars $10 per 

 thousand, which amount, it is stated, is no more than necessary to cover the present higher 

 cost of manufacturing. 



Benefice'ncia Orphan Asylum. — It has recently been proposed to remove the "Casa de 

 Beneficencia y Maternidad de la Habana," commonly known as the "Beneficencia Orphan 

 Asylum," from its present location on Belascoain St. in Havana to one in the country, and at a 

 meeting of the Board of Governors it was decided to appoint a committee to take up this matter. 

 Some of the board, however, are greatly opposed to selling the present location, stating 

 that when the asylum was originally endowed, it was stated that the property was never to be 

 sold. The actual site is now a very valuable one, some authorities having calculated its worth 

 as high as $6,000,000. On the other hand, it has been pointed out that by living outside of the 

 city, the children could have more fresh air, outdoor employment, and many other benefits not 

 now accruing to them in Havana. 



Cienfiiegos Navigation Co. — A new line of coastwise steamers has been estabUshed, called 

 the "Empresa de Navegaei6n Cienfueguera," or "Cienfuegos Navigation Co.," to operate be- 

 tween the ports of Havana, Manzanillo, Casilda, Tunas de Zaza, Cienfuegos and Santa Cruz 

 del Sur. It is stated they will put in this trade the steamers, "Purita," "Caribe" and 

 "Anita," as well as the bark "Mercedita." 



Submarines. — A movement has been on foot for some time, originating with the Cuban 

 magazine, Bohemia, to purchase by means of popular subscription six submarines, to be named 

 after each of the six Cuban provinces. The submarines are then to be presented to the National 

 Government. This project has the hearty endorsement of Gen. Emilio Nunez, Vice-President 

 of the Republic, who is also President of the Central Executive Committee in charge of this 

 subscription, and active means are being taken to bring this idea to a successful conclusion. 



Oil Wells.— There is nothing of particular interest to report in connection with the oil well 

 industry. Drilling continues to be done, but some wells are shut down for lack of machinery, 

 it being difficult to secure permits to export same from the United States. Prices of all oil 

 stocks are very weak, although considerable trading is going on daily on the local stock ex- 

 change which was organized by the oil well interests to deal exclusively in oil stocks and is 

 called the "Bolsa Petrolera de la Habana." 



British Commission.— An official British Commission visited Havana from Aug. 27 to 30th, 

 headed by Sir Maurice de Bunsen. This commission has been making visits to the Latin- 

 American countries for the purpose of strengthening the friendly relations existing between 

 Great Britain and these Republics, and they were shown considerable attention during their 

 stay here, on the part of the Cuban Government. 



