16 THE CUBA REVIEW 



American Shoes Have but Little Competition. 



At present American-made shoes dominate the market. Until a comparatively 

 recent date, however, Spanish and Austrian manufacturers offered slight competition 

 in special lines. 



Many dealers formerly carried limited stocks of men's light-weight kid shoes of 

 Spanish origin. These were mostly high shoes in lace, button, and Congress, and 

 sold for the same price as the average American product. Their manufacturers had 

 no variety in lasts and patterns, their shoes were neither durable nor dressy, and 

 because of their extreme light weight soon lost all shape. Their sales were confined 

 almost exclusively to the Spanish population who, it would seem, were actuated some- 

 what by patriotic motives. The unfavorable exchange rate on the Spanish peseta 

 which prevailed during the course of the war is credited with having put a stop to 

 the importation of these goods. However, since Spanish exchange has recently 

 dropped back to normal, dealers may consider placing further orders for these shoes. 



Austrian manufacturers are said to have studied the Cuban market in 1914 and 

 to have made some headway with women's pumps and ties. These goods sold for less 

 than similar American articles, were made with light soles and high heels, and were 

 attractive because of the good quality of the kid used and the dressy bead embroidery. 

 Owing to the strong anti-Teuton sentiment developed throughout the Republic it is 

 doubtful whether dealers would even consider handing such goods in the future. 

 Retail Stocks — National Economic Shoe. 



Early in 1918 Cuban dealers, anticipating further price advances on the part of 

 American factories, purchased heavily with the resultant effect that many houses now 

 appear to be somewhat overstocked. 



During the summer of 1918 the repeated and excessive advances in the retail 

 shops caused such numerous protests from the laboring classes that the Government 

 appointed a committee to investigate conditions. This committee was sent to the 

 United States to arrange for the manufacture of cheap and medium-grade footwear 

 which will be shipped to Cuba and sold as "National Economic Shoes." All retailers 

 will be obliged to carry at least a nominal stock of these goods and to sell them at 

 prices fixed by the commission. In return they will be allowed to continue the sale 

 of their regular lines without having prices for these latter fixed by the national 

 commission. To date the "National Economic Shoe" has not been placed on sale, 

 although it is understood that the initial consignment reached Habana some few 



davs ago. Consular Assistant George A. Makinson, Cardenas. 



pepper and eggplant harvest OF isle navigation companies to accept such 



Kjr ir ix ^o products for transportation except upon 



The harvesting of peppers and egg- payme nt in advance of the freight are 



plants, the two products next in impor- other f actor s affecting the situation, 

 tance to grapefruit cultivated principally 



by Americans on this island, is now under When last y ear the transportation re- 

 way, and the first shipment of the season Actions became such that, of a crop of 

 to the United States will soon be made. lar ^ e dimensions, only 1,000 crates could 



Exports this winter will probably not be exported, the farmers concluded to 

 exceed 4,000 crates for both vegetables, cultivate other and more profitable prod- 

 against about 1,000 crates of last year ucts thls fal1 for the home market - 

 and 55,000 for the winter of 1916-17. Were it not for these reasons, the 1918- 

 The reason for this expected small export 19 crop of the two vegetables would 

 as compared with that of two years ago probably have exceeded even that of two 

 lies principally in the fact that fertilizers years ago, for climate conditions were ex- 

 are now so expensive that they cannot ceptionally favorable for a large harvest, 

 be used for crops of this kind. Restric- —Consul IV. Bardel, Nueva Gerona, Isle of 

 tions on shipping and the refusal of Pines, Cuba. 



