18 THE CUBA REVIEW 
in the number of these parties arriving in Havana. During the war these personally 
conducted tours were suspended and they are just beginning to again become popular 
with American tourists. 
FRENCH BATTLESHIP ENTERS HAVANA: The French battle cruiser “Jeanne 
d’Are”’ entered the Bay of Havana on Saturday, February 19th, and was accorded 
a very hearty welcome by the Cuban populace as well as by the American battleship 
“Minnesota,” which is still in the harbor. The French Minister to Cuba gave the 
officers of the French cruiser a splendid banquet at the Hotel Sevilla. The “Jeanne 
d’Are” sailed on February 25th after six days of sumptuous entertainment, 
CUBAN SHIPS AT HAMBURG: The information reaches Havana that three steam- 
ers owned by the Cuban Government and operated by a recently formed Cuban 
steamship company, which are now in the Port of Hamburg, Germany, are experiencing 
dire trouble on account of difficulties in securing cargoes for return movement and 
trouble with their crews. Funds seem to be wanting for the payment of salaries to 
officers and crews of these vessels and from reports it would appear that these ships 
will not be able to continue in the service of this new company. 
HARBOR LABORERS THREATEN STRIKE: Jith a view to pressing their claims 
for higher wages, the laborers owing allegiance to the Federation of Harbor Workmen 
recently visited the Secretary of Government, Col. Charles Hernandez, and laid 
before him their side of the story. Although it was deemed that the wages paid to 
laborers were coming down, it would seem that a determined effort is to be made to 
at least maintain present wages if not increase them somewhat. It must be admitted 
that the cost of living in Havana has not been lowered to any noticeable degree, but 
reductions in prices are looked for from day to day. 
SCHOONER ENTERS HAVANA IN DISTRESS: The four-masted schooner “Cecilie 
M. Dunland,” carrying a cargo of coal from Savannah, Ga., was towed into Havana 
Harbor on February 18th, having called for assistance after experiencing a severe 
gale off the Florida coast. The rigging of this vessel was lost in the gale and it was 
only with difficulty that the tug sent to her assistance was able to rescue and bring 
her to a safe berth in Havana. 
PORT OF HAVANA CONGESTION RELIEVED: In striking contrast to conditions _ 
which maintained only a few months ago, the Port of Havana looks practically empty 
as compared with its record for the past year. Col. Despaigne, acting on a special 
appointment from President Menocal to clear the docks and Bay of Havana, has done 
such splendid work that it is hard to realize that only a few months ago the Port 
of Havana was shunned on account of the congestion maintaining there. Where an 
average of from 85 to 100 vessels were always lying in the bay either awaiting dis- 
charge or in process of discharge, there are now less than thirty vessels, most of 
which are lying in port awaiting orders or just finishing their discharge. We believe 
that shippers will be gratified to know that it is now safe for them to resume shipment 
to Cuba as the General Wharves of the Cuban Government have been cleared and 
privately-owned wharves are also getting in proper shape. 
PAYMENT OF OBLIGATIONS INCURRED ment in full may be demanded on March 
DURING CUBAN MORATORIUM 15, the date of expiration. It is believed, 
Payments of obligations incurred dur- therefore, that creditor institutions should 
ing the moratorium in Cuba may be de- +*extend the period of payment and be 
manded on the date of expiration at the lenient in their collections so that debtors” 
full face value. For instance, in the case in difficulty may not be required to meet 
of an obligation incurred November 15, their obligations until conditions are re- 
1920, to become due March 15, 1921, pay- lieved. 
