THE CUBA REVIEW 15 
of 75 per cent. of the cane growers, which was secured. The first effect of the estab- 
lishment of this commission was the immediate rise of sugar of about 114 cents 
per pound, or from 3.50 cents per pound to nearly 5 cents. This commission is to 
pass on and approve all sales of Cuban sugars, the object being the prevention of 
sales for less than a fair price in order to guarantee fairly substantial returns for 
the sugars sold. 
There are those who protested strenuously against the appointment of this Com- 
mission, but the consensus of opinion holds that it was the only means that could 
be adopted. The producers of sugar had gone to enormous expense in the purchase 
of new and up-to-date machinery and also in the preparation of vast new tracts of 
land for the production of sugar for the grinding of the 1920-1921 crop. With the 
prices as quoted at the beginning of the grinding, namely 3% cents per pound, the 
sugar producers stood to lose exactly $5.00 per bag on every bag of sugar made. It 
is generally admitted that there will not be any great amount of money made on 
5 cent sugar, but those most concerned in this industry estimate that the Ingenios, 
at this price, will be permitted to at least meet their outstanding obligations and 
prepare themselves for lower prices which are expected to obtain for the next crop, 
that of 1921-1922. 
One of the adverse developments of the past month is the enactment in the United 
States of the Fordney Tariff Bill, which will increase the duty on raw sugar from 
about 80 cents per 100 pounds to $1.60 per 100 pounds. From Associated Press News 
it has been gathered here that President Wilson intends to veto this act if it is passed 
and the sentiment is strongly against the incoming American administration’s review- 
ing the measure with the ultimate intention of passing it. Legislating against Cuban 
sugar is, it is believed, sure to affect the price to the ultimate consumer, since the 
producers, it is generally agreed, cannot absorb this extra duty this year or next. 
Labor is adjusting itself to these new conditions very slowly and it is believed 
that, although labor will have to be content with lower wages for the coming crop, 
little toward a materially reduced wage can be accomplished this year, since the cost 
of living has not declined to any appreciable extent so far. 
CUBAN GOVERNMENT MATTERS: The partial elections that were scheduled to 
be held March 1st have been postponed until March 10th, when it is expected that 
the question of the next President of Cuba will be settled definitely. Dr. Alfredo 
Zayas, it is declared, will surely remain the people’s choice, although some of the 
Liberals are of the opinion that General José Miguel Gomez will be found to have 
received the necessary plurality. For a time the situation was somewhat tense be- 
tween the contending parties, but within the last few days, the papers announce, a 
partial reconciliation has been effected and the forthcoming partial elections will 
doubtless be carried out without disturbances of any kind. The uncertainty of the 
Situation has precluded the possibility of Dr. Zayas making any announcements as 
fo who will comprise his cabinet, should he be finally elected, and the Liberals have 
never, it would seem, felt that they were sure enough of the election to have made 
decisions either, 
General Crowder, author of thernew Cuba Electoral Law, who was sent to Cuba 
by the Washington Government for the purpose of rendering what assistance might be 
heeded, remains in the city awaiting, we assume, the final outcome of the elections 
before returning to the United States with his report of conditions as he found them 
in Cuba. 
FINANCIAL CONDITIONS: The Torriente Law, whereby affected banks were 
granted until May 30, 1921, to liquidate their outstanding obligations, is working 
splendidly so far and much praise has been extended to Representative Torriente 
for his broad-mindedness in shaping this splendid law which will mean so much 
