THE CUBA REVIEW 13 



PORTO RICAN CANE LABORERS: Mention was made a few months ago 

 of an offer on the part of the American Representative of the U. S. War Trade Board 

 to arrange to bring over laborers from Porto Rico to work in the cane fields of 

 Cuba, which was favorably received here. Nothing further, however, has been done 

 in this respect and the newspapers now state that the workmen referred to are needed 

 at home, and, therefore, there will be very few, if any, brought to Cuba. 



MAINE MEMORIAL MONUMENT: At the time the remains of the battleship 

 "Maine" were taken out of Havana Harbor, towed out to sea and sunk several 

 years ago, the American Government donated to Cuba a turret with its two cannons 

 which were to form the principal part of the Maine Memorial Monument. A prize 

 was offered for the best design and the award was made, a photograph of the model 

 of the monument appearing in this magazine some time ago, but apparently there 

 have never been funds free to prosecute this work to a finish, and as a result the 

 relics have been stored at the entrance to the suburb of Vedado. Now that the Male- 

 con drive is being extended out to and through Vedado, the Government has this 

 question of erecting a monument up again and a contract has just been let for the 

 construction of the foundation, base and pedestal of the monument, which will be 

 placed at the intersection in Vedado of 17th and Linea streets, which latter street, 

 however, has just been changed to Wilson Avenue. 



BANCO MERCANTIL AMERICANO DE CUBA: In our last letter we men- 

 tioned that this new bank would shortly open here. On Jan. 15th they commenced 

 business in temporary quarters at Amargura No. 23. Their permanent quarters will 

 be located in the ground floor of the new Barraque building now nearing completion 

 at the corner of Cuba and Amargura streets, which will be one of the largest of the 

 downtown office buildings. 



AMERICAN FOREIGN BANKING CORPORATION: The Havana branch of 

 this bank opened for business during the present month, being located at O'Reilly 

 No. 21. This banking corporation is made up of a number of national banks through- 

 out the United States and operates under the control of the Federal Reserve Board, 

 doing a general banking business, particularly in connection with the development of 

 foreign trade. 



NEW HAVANA HARBOR TARIFFS: In previous letters we have referred to 

 strikes among the different bodies of harbor workmen employed here on the wharves 

 and in the warehouses, as well as on lighters, tugs, etc., as a result of which increase 

 in wages and other concessions were granted them. The employers of this labor 

 have also been endeavoring to secure higher rates for their services and as a result 

 of petitions made on their behalf by the Association of Commerce and Industry of 

 the Bay of Havana, President Menocal signed three decrees on Jan. 13th, the first 

 one establishing a new tariff of increased rates for the lightering of import and ex- 

 port cargo in Havana, as the present basis of charges dates back from 1899 and was 

 not sufficient remuneration for the lighterage companies in view of the great increase 

 in cost of operation, wages, etc., since that time; the second decree embodies a new 

 and increased tariff of rates for the operation of tugs and making of tows, both in 

 the Bay of Havana and outside, the rates effective up to now being estabished by the 

 Spanish Government in 1894 and also not high enough at the present time; the third 

 decree authorizing a 15% increase in the tariffs of the warehouse and wharf com- 

 panies in the Bay of Havana, these increased charges being authorized temporarily 

 pending the compiling of a new General Tariff embodying same. 



NEW BUILDING FOR THE CUBAN RED CROSS: Due to the desire of the 

 Cuban Red Cross to erect an edifice to be used exclusively by that body, same to be 

 built at their own expense, a presidential decree was recently signed donating a piece 

 of land in Havana located in the block bounded by Teniente Rey, Zulueta, Dragones 

 and Monserrate streets. The building will be commenced by the Red Cross as soon 

 as they secure possession of the grounds. 



