12 THE CUBA REVIEW 



1914 



Exportations $137,303,184.00 



Importations 68,884,428.00 



1915 



Exportations $185,706,901.00 



Importations 75,530,382.00 



1916 



Exportations $228,977,567.00 



Importations 127,190,578.00 



1917 



Exportations $253,395,410.00 



Importations 176,292,328.00 



1918 



Exportations $264,024,000.00 



Importations 235,682,045.00 



FLOUR IMPORTATIONS: Considerable discussion took place during the past 

 month among the newspapers of Havana and the importers and selling agents of 

 flour as to why Cuba could not receive larger imports of the commodity in view of the 

 fact that the United States is imposing very few restrictions on its exportation, and 

 rumors were current that this question of Cuban flour supply was not being handled 

 here in the proper manner. Cuba is a very large consumer of wheat flour in pro- 

 portion to her inhabitants, as bread is a great food staple, and claim was made that 

 she was receiving a smaller amount than some of the European countries, also that 

 Mexico was getting more consideration in this respect than Cuba. The subject was 

 finally taken up by commercial organizations and newspapers here directly with the 

 War Trade Board at Washington in an endeavor to get a definite statement as to 

 what future prospects were for flour importations. In reply to this inquiry the 

 Department of State at Washington cabled the American Legation on Dec. 26th that 

 since October last, flour has been permitted to go to Cuba freely when purchased 

 through the U. S. Food Administration Grain Corporation in quantities always in 

 excess of the amounts which have been shipped, and 175,000 bags were then awaiting 

 shipment, and that shortage in Cuba has therefore not been due to restrictions of 

 the War Trade Board; further that they were informed there have been difficulties in 

 the unloading of steamers at points of destination and consequently steamers refused 

 to load cargoes here; also, it was stated that the War Trade Board are not only 

 willing but anxious to assist in the supply of all Cuban requirements in foodstuffs 

 and wish as soon as possible to have the flow of foodstuffs to Cuba assume normal pro- 

 portions through customary channels, and that the War Trade Board will do everything 

 to facilitate this. About the same time this assurance was received here, flour began 

 to come forward in larger quantities, but due to the long continued congestion of the 

 wharves referred to elsewhere in this letter, there has been a delay in the flour 

 freely reaching the bakers to be made into bread. The distribution of flour imports 

 is still being handled by the Cuban Food Administrator, but importers have recently 

 commenced to send in orders direct to the mills in the North with the expectation 

 that these shipments will come forward consigned directly to them as in former times. 



AUTO OMNIBUS LINES: Several months ago we reported the establishment 

 by Havana capital of several lines of auto omnibuses plying on the streets of Havana 

 in competition with the street railway company. This new enterprise appears to be 

 a success, as its proprietor, Francisco Mestre, has requested permission of the city to 

 establish some nine new additional lines, on which the uniform fare of 5 cents will 

 apply the same as is at present charged, with the exception of that operating to the 

 suburb known as La Vibora, for which latter service on account of its distance a 

 charge of 10 cents per passenger will be made. 



