THE CUB A RE VI EJV 11 



the mere fact of having fulfilled these formalities, there is in the same law (apart 

 from the usual duties of every court), a solid basis on which to maintain that the 

 court is bound to examine carefully all statements of the application and the essential 

 facts mentioned therein, as well as all documents presented; in particular, the con- 

 sistency of the bond offered to the creditors who are absent from the proceedings. 



All of this seems very clear. In addition, it should be noted that the same law 

 provides that the judge must explain the reason for his decision or for the issuance 

 of the proclamation, and in case of refusal or rejection of the application the debtor 

 has the right to appeal. 



It is the right and duty of creditors whose claims are threatened through collusion 

 on the part of a dishonorable debtor, to bring the matter to the attention of the proper 

 authorities in due form established by the same law, to discuss the facts and prove that 

 a wrong has been committed. This is the only remedy and the best protection. 



Active Interest of American Creditor Needful 



A creditor in the United States sometimes complains that he has been the victim 

 of unscrupulous tactics on the part of his debtor in Cuba and that the latter is 

 protected by the law of suspension of payments, but at the same time it is usually 

 noted that he has not done all that he might have done to protect his own interests. 

 Should he maintain the same passive attitude in any other country, the results, under 

 similar circumstances, would be the same. It is not enough in such cases merely to 

 have on hand an attorney or agent; the lawyer or agent must also have ample means 

 to act in a decisive way. The aspect of the matter involves one of the principal points — 

 that of expenses and fees. 



When the claim is small, that is, under $500, it is not advisable for a creditor 

 to enter upon proceedings in the courts, as the expenses can not be estimated before- 

 hand and may be out of proportion to the amount of the claim. In such cases the 

 following course is suggested: 



When suspension of payments is applied for, usually there are many creditors. 

 If these creditors suspect that there is something wrong, something which will damage 

 their interests, they should come to an understanding and agree to have only one 

 representative for the group, this representative being a man of high standing and 

 efficiency, and to divide the expenses and fees in connection with the proceedings 

 among the creditors in proportion to their respective claims. 



Havana Correspondence 



Havana, August 17th, 1922. 



Sugar: As the present grinding season draws to a close, attention is now chiefly 

 centered upon prospects of the industry for the coming season. There are only seven 

 mills still continuing to grind, as compared with five mills grinding at the same time 

 last year. 



Weather conditions throughout the season have been extremely favorable, much 

 more so than last year, when prolonged droughts resulted in a decreased crop. This 

 season the rainfall has been very evenly distributed and at no time seriously interfered 

 with the harvesting of the cane, enabling the mills in most instances to grind throughout 

 the season without interruption. 



All present indications point to a return to normal conditions next season and 

 the outlook for the future of the industry is brighter at this time than it has been 

 for a long time past. 



It is a source of great satisfaction, as an indication of the restoration of confidence 

 in the industry, to learn that a considerable amount of cleaning and planting is being 



