T H E C U B A 11 E V I E W U 



HAVANA CORRESPONDENCE 



The Avisa(l(rr Conurnal reports thiit for tlie fiscal year ended June :{(), 1917, tliere were 

 2,374 vessels arrmnf^ at the port of Tfavana. This is the largest annual nuinl)er reported. The 

 previous largest number w;us for the year ended June 30, 191G, amounting to 2,101. 



Prior to the Cireat War the rice imported here from the Orient was generally transhipped 

 at Furopean jrorts, but on account of war conditions, until recently this rice came in cargo lots 

 direct from India in British steamers. During the past month two Japanese steamers have 

 arrived from India via the Panama (.'anal with exclusive rice cargoes, and we understand more 

 are to follow. We might add that, with the exception of a few Japanese steamers which have 

 arrived here this year with coal from American ports, the Japanese flag, we believe, has never 

 been seen in this port on any class of vessel. 



The matter of Havana's water supply is one that is receiving a great deal of attention at the 

 present time. Some authorities insist that the Vento Springs, which supply the City, are more 

 than ample for its requirements, while others claim it will be necessary to secure an additional 

 supply from other nearby sources. The fact remains that there has been considerable complaint 

 lately over shortage of water in different parts of the city and a commission is to be appointed 

 to study this question with a view to remedying the shortage. 



^^■hile there are no particular new developments regarding oil wells here, there have been a 

 number of new companies organized since our last advices and a great deal of enthusiasm exists 

 as to future prospects. 



The sugar crop is very promising and sugar has now reached record prices with good pros- 

 pects of going still higher. There is no particular news to report regarding tobacco business. 



The Austrian steamer "Virginia," the only one interned in this Island, was sold to an 

 American steamship company and put under the American flag on July 26th. She is at present 

 undergoing repairs, and when they have been completed, she will sail, we imderstand, for an 

 American port. 



According to a decree signed by President Menocal on July 14, when crude oil or residum 

 of petroleum is imported into Cuba to be used as fuel, or for the operation of mining machinery, 

 or by the Government for sanitary purposes, or by the Government for road uses of all kinds, 

 the duty will be only one-tenth of a cent per gallon plus a port improvement tax of 10c. for each 

 168 gallons. The duties heretofore in effect will again apply as soon as the native production 

 is sufficient to supply two-thirds of the oil required for the uses mentioned above. We under- 

 stand that one of the principal reasons for passing this law was so that sugar mills and 

 the mining industry might use crude oil as fuel in case of a shortage of imported coal. 



We have made previous mention of mihtary court martials of the officers taking part in 

 the late revolution, and would now state that the death sentences of the officers who were 

 doomed to be shot at Cabanas were commuted to Ufe imprisonment, all the officers being dis- 

 honorably discharged from the Army. 



Negotiations have been in progress for the consohdation of the principal chocolate and 

 cracker factories in Havana, including "La Estrella," "La Constancia," Mestre & Martinica, 

 ViUar, Gutierrez & Sanchez and the Cuban Biscuit Co. The new company will be known as 

 the National .Mfg. Co., with a capital of $2,500,000, the Banco Espanol being largely interested 

 in the formation of the new company. 



Hotel keepers and retail merchants here are endeavoring to get some change in present 

 regulations which require travelers leaving the L". S. to secure passports, believing that same 

 would have a very bad effect on the tourist travel next Winter. 



Havana, Aug. 6th, 1917. 



GUATEMALA 



The total quantity and value of the exports from Guatemala to Cuba during 1916 were as 

 follows: 



Kilos Value 



692 .S6,618 



