12 THECUB A REVIEW 



be coiisidtM-iilily aiigiiioiited. M:my .IniiiUit'St' vessels visit the ports of Cuba loaded 

 with rioe and other nienhaiulise produced in the Orient, and it is understood that 

 the majority of these ships will f.'o liack with eargot^ of l)ale tobacco and also cigars 

 and cigarettes. 



That Cuban cotYee is becoming mon' popular in the rnited States is evidenced 

 by the fact that a member of the firm of Arbuckle Brothers was in this city during 

 the past month uegotiating for the purchase of a considei-able portion of the mer- 

 chantable coffee produced in Cuba. 



It is also understood that Arbuclde Brothers are contemplating purchasing one 

 or two sugar mills in the Island of Cuba. 



Considerable enthusiasm has been aroused in Havana among the Spanish Colony 

 at the expected arrival of the Spanish dreadnought, "Alfonso XIII," which will arrive 

 in Havana about Sunday, June 2Tth. The visit of the "Alfonso XIII" will be the 

 occasion of considerable entertaining on the part of the Spanish societies in Havana, 

 since this is the second \\ar vessel of the Spanish Navy which has visited Cuba 

 since Cuba obtained her independence in 1S99. The other vessel which came to Cuba 

 was the "Nautilus," which was here in 1910. An entertainment will be given in th4 

 Tropical (iardens for the men of the battleship and the officers will be entertained at 

 the Spanish Club, Sjianish Legation, etc. This vessel will remain in Havana harbor 

 four days. 



CUBAN CONGRESS: The bill to increase the salaries of the Government 

 telegraphers was not acted upon on account of lack of a quorum in the House and 

 the Senate, and as a result the telegraphers went on a strike and only returned to 

 work when drastic measures were threatened l)y the Secretary of the Interior. How- 

 ever, immediate action was begun on their demand for inci'eased remuneration and 

 fewer hours of work. 



As mentioned in out last letter, the employes of several of the Government 

 departments have petitioned Congress for inci'eases in compensation, and it has now 

 been oflicially announc(xl that President Menocal will sign a decree increasing the 

 pay of these Goveinment employes. There is every reason to believe that sufficient 

 pressure will l)e brought to bear on the Senate and House of Representatives to have 

 the desirfHl bill jiassed next Monday, which would make funds iunnediately available 

 for making the increases which the presidential decree will call for. 



QUARANTINE REGULATIONS: I>r. Hugo Roberts. Chief of the Quarantine 

 Deiiartment of Cuba, has placed an embargo on all ports outside of Havana against 

 vessels arriving from Mexican or Gulf ports. This action was taken as a precaution 

 against the recent bubonic plague which broke out in Vera Cruz. Since several cases 

 of bubonic plague have been reported at I'ensacola. New Orleans, Tampico and Vera 

 Cruz, it is now reipiired that all vessels coming from these ports must first call at 

 Havana for a thorough fumigation and observation of their crews and passengers. 

 The City of Havana is undergoing a cleaning-up process which usually follows an 

 epidemic scare of this nature, and local sanitary authorities are very much occupied 

 with instituting meastu-es for the eradication of rats. 



POLITICAL NEWS: "Kl .Mundo." one of Havana's best known morning papers, 

 on June 10th published an interview with President Menocal in which the President 

 stated he believtHl the general i»olitical situation with relation to the coming elections 

 is quite satisfactory. The political parties, he states, have organized and are organiz- 

 ing in strict compliance with the new Crowder Electoral Law, and he has no knowl- 

 edge of any conflict other than that of party principles which each groui) advocates. 



At the convention of the Conservative party held in Havana, Gen. Montalvo, 

 formerly Secretary of Government, was unanimouslv nonunated f«>r the Pre.sidencv. 



