14 T II E CUBA It E \- I E \V 



incroased its acreage and it is reported that tlie prodtutioii of its cominodity will be 

 greatlj- increased the next year. Tremendous quantities of rope are used in Cuba 

 and tlie liennequen factories have never been able to produce anytliing lilse the 

 amount whidi is used here, thereliy necessitating tlie importation of large quantities 

 of Manila roi)e. At present tliere are two large factories in Cuba producing henne- 

 quen rope, one at Matanzas and the other at Cardenas. 



The Havana Post, one of tlie oldest English newspapers on the Island, has, under 

 its new ownership, established a new l)ureau at Washington called the '•Ilaraua Post 

 News Bureau," for the purpose of gathering information of interest to Americans in 

 Cuba and also to assist Americans in tlie United States wishing information regarding 

 Cuba. This is a new and interesting addition to this important llavaiia puldication, 

 and we are liearing much of the assistance rendered by this bureau to l>i>rh Americans 

 and Cubans in Washington. 



An interesting light on the prosperity of the Island of Cuba is luiuilfested in the 

 many new branches being established throughout the Island by the various banking 

 institutions in Cuba. During the last month no less than tifteen new branches have 

 been opened for business in many of tlie smaller cities and towns of tlie Republic. 



The Compania ^lanufacturera Xacional (National .Manufacturing Company), 

 who are large manufacturers of chocolates, candies and fancy caljes and crackers, 

 have recently installed new machinery in their fnctoiy on Infanta Street and have 

 employed a specialist in this line from llolhmd. who was formerly in charge of tlie 

 famous Swiss chocolate factory of ^linier. This new machinery will have a capacity 

 of 100,0()0 pounds of candy and other sweets per working day of eight hours. The 

 strides that this industry has taken in Cuba are phenomenal and despite the fact 

 that Havana jn-oduces vast amounts of candies and crackers, large quantities are 

 still imported from the United States and other countries. 



PORT CONG f:sT ION: Kt'iiresentatives of the Suinnarine Boat Corporation, 

 who recently visited Havana witli a view to operating a line of steamers from 

 United States ports, after looking the situation over left Cuba without any definite 

 decision having been arrived at. It is understood that the congestion which still 

 maintains in Havana wharves and warehouses rather discouraged the entrance of 

 this new line at tliis time. 



An increase of 2.j i)er cent, in freight rates to Cuba was recently instituted by the 

 steamship lines operating between American ports and Cuba, as tlie congestion wliich 

 is prevalent throughout the ports of tiie Island has been the cause of considerable 

 connnent and strenuous efforts are to be made to relieve this condition in the im- 

 mediate future. At this time there are in the Bay of Havana more tlian 2.50,000 

 sacks of rice awaiting discharge from vessel, and it is rumored that the Government 

 will seize this rice in an endeavor to reduce present prices. Lack of dock space is the 

 cause of nondelivery of this rice, and the Government will doubtless make arrange- 

 ments to unload these vessels within the next few days. 



To relieve the congestion which exists in wharves and warehouses in Havana, 

 it has been jji-oposed to use the old Tacon Market building as a warehou.se, which 

 would afford considerable relief, since tlie caiiacity of this building is many thousands 

 of tons. 



Santiago de Cuba is also suffering from a shortage of warehouse and dock space 

 and efforts are being made to augment the despatch of merchandise in that port. 

 Tlie American Consul at Santiago has issued a warning to all vessels calling at that 

 port that there is a shortage of fresh water, and suggesting that amide supplies be 

 taken on ves.«;els which make Santiago a port of call. 



SUGAR: Mr. H. A. Himely. the sugar authority of the I.sland, has revised 

 his figures on the amount of sugar which will be produced in Cuba this year and it 

 has been found that the crop will be short some T.W.OOO tons or 2.50,000 tons less than 

 was at first estimated. This accounts, to a large extent, for the very high price of 



