T HE CUB A R i: V I i: W 11 



AEROPLANE FREIGHT SERVICE BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES \\n 

 CUBA: On May 20th the aeroplane "Sunshine" arrived here from Key West in 

 charge of Its owner and a Cuban pilot, bringing a small shipmenl of a well known 

 brand of American soap. The Custom House assigned a number to the craft's manifest, 

 the same as is done In connection wilh foreign cargoes arriving here by water. It 

 is rumored this aeroplane will make further trips. 



ORIENTAL PARK RACE TRACK, MARIAN AO: Press reports from the United 

 States mention thai this racing planl has been sold bj its original owners to a syndi- 

 cate controlled by Mr. Frank Steinhart, Presidenl of the Havana Electric Railway, 

 Light & Power Co., A. II. Diaz, a wealthy Havana capitalist, and <;. \Y. Loft, of 



New York, at a price said to l \n- $1,000,000. We have reported there bave been 



various rumors in the past as to a change in ownership of this track, but apparently 

 this time the deal has been put through. 



There is also being promoted an exposition company to hold expositions here 

 something like the country fairs in the North, including horse racing and baseball, 

 to be located near the Palatino Brewery. 



STRIKES: Strikes have continued to break out from time to time, although 

 until a couple of days ago not on a large scale. The cigarmakers' strike, which we 

 have previously reported, still continues and is a serious matter, but fortunately no 

 violence has as yet occurred. It is reported that the striking cigarmakers amount to 

 about 25,000 and that the losses suffered by these workmen as well as by the store- 

 keepers, etc., run up into the millions. The strikers remain firm in their demands, 

 which are for increased pay, shorter hours, etc. 



The next ones to strike were the Havana Central Railroad Co. employes, and 

 their service, which was completely tied up for a few days, is now being operated 

 to a limited extent. 



Employes of the Sarra drug stores, probably the largest company in its line on 

 the Island, went out on a strike a couple of weeks ago, caused by the discharge of 

 one of their number, and the matter is still pending adjustment. In the meantime 

 the Sarra stores are closed. 



Also the clerks of the large retail store of Harris Bros. Co. struck last week, 

 but their store is still open and doing business, but with a very small force of clerks. 



In view of the strike situation, which was rapidly assuming the proportions of a 

 general strike, this being, in fact, what the labor unions were trying to bring about, 

 Cuban secret service operatives on the evening of May 23rd quietly rounded up a 

 considerable number of labor agitators and leaders, confining some in prison and 

 deporting others, who were Spanish citizens, by the first steamer sailing for Spain. 

 As a result of this action, on the following day the street railway employes struck, 

 although the company has managed to operate a few cars since. The railway employes 

 were joined later by the taxi drivers, truckmen, newspaper employes, stevedores, etc., 

 although the steam railroads are still operating as usual. Whether the present strike 

 will become as widespread as the last two general strikes remains to be seen, as in the 

 absence of the newspapers it is difficult to get accurate information as to just what is 

 going on. 



UNITED STATES ENEMY TRADING LIST: On April 27th the American 

 Legation made the following official announcement which was published in the 

 leading papers of Havana : — 



"The War Trade Board of the United States will announce, effective April 29th, 

 the suspension of all Enemy Trading Lists and the removal of all disabilities here- 

 tofore arising out of inscription in such lists, and all persons in the United States will 

 be authorized to trade and communicate with all persons abroad with whom trade 

 and communication is prohibited by the Trading With the Enemy Act. excent that 

 the present restrictions against trade and communication between the United States 

 and Germany or Hungary will continue in effect. Similar action will be taken con- 

 currently by the Allied Governments. 



