The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-07-06
INTERESTING FROM CUBA.
LARGE CONTRABAND TRADE IN
TOBACCO DISCOVERED.
The sugur and Corn Crops-Custou Hour.
Fraad--Reperted Military Movements
The Militia Lava New Orxa nizntion,

Frauds Reported Military Movements
The Militia Lava New Organization.
HAVANA, July 1.-The news from the
interior is that the rebels have pretty well
evacuated the Western villas district, and this
is supposed to prove that the peace OF that de-
paitment may be considered as permanently
secured. The reports unanimous In regard
to the good aspect OF the cane fields, aud of the
prospect OF good crop next year, but the fields
Of corn are stated to have suffered from e1ces.
sive rains In many places. The Sagua papers
represent business In that district as more
cheerful. and mention some contracts for next
seasons sugars as having already been effected
at satisfactory prices Tor the planters.
The VOz dc Cuba calls tho attention OF the
Government to a cont-aband trade which u be-
lleves to exist In tobacco, and saws that this ar
ticle Is one Of the most important products of
Cuba. both as To quantity ami quality, oonsti-
tutlng at once chief branch OF agriculture and
the principal basis OF manufacture In he island
and furnishing occupation to great number of
persons. IL has always recel red special protec-
ton, and has attained IN consequence "a high
state OF prosperity The fame OF Cuban
tobacco IL universal. IN ordinary times. wnen
cture were free from heavy taxation, Cubhn
cigars could compete with all others In the mar
kets Of the world, not only on account OF their
superior quality. out necause the price, although
somewhat higher than that Of other rival prod
uct', dh r slightly ~ compari-on with the
now Changed completely. Heavy taxation and
tue Increasing scarcity OF LABOR have 50 aug
mented exc nses that Havana tobacco can no
longer compete IN price with the foreign leaf,
no, wlth-tanlinG IL unrvalied quality. The I'm
purt dtiOn 81 touaccO INTO this island Ia prpbib-
ltei' eN,fpt that IRON Porto Rico The OBJ
JeCt OF this prohibition Il to prevent interior
articles from being brought hither and Of
Tered for sale after being worked up. to
exporters at prices below those OF the local
crop. aud to tue prejudice Of Cuban brands.
~ splte ~ the prohbltipn an active trade ~ be-
heved to carried On In the Introduction Of for
eign tobacco. as Porto REQ certainly does not
produce all the tobacco that comes here under
u name. Tue crop there Il limited to a SIN III
district OF the island. aud indeed wrappers OF
cant district Of Comero. What little is nro-
duced In excess OF the local consumption IL
almost al taken by Germany. Besides
ity OF most OF the so-called Porto
Rico tobacco imported here is bet er
tnan that OF any grown In that island at ALL II
i tolerahy evident that the greater part OF this
tobacco is brought from Sipto Domingo, Cuma-
hap iled Porto Rico. In connr nation Of this
the Voc de cuba says that =" few DAYS ago there
arrived u this port from Nieques, a small islet
belonging to Porto Rico so large cargo Of to-
bacco that II was iinprob ibls that the whole
island could produce so much for expectation
IN a year"
II THIS is so. the authorities will have another
busy time IN correcting this abuse. The frauds
recently committed at Cardenas are likely to be
severely expated The administrator OF the
Custom House there WILL Il Is said, PASS eight
years In the chain gang. and other on tails six,
four, and two years, and although the merchant
will be released, As his signature does not ap-
pear IN anv OF the documents connected with
tho fraudulent entry, vet he will have been
punished, In any case, nv the expense
and hts imprisonment, whether an ac-
cessory or lot. Rumors are current
OF abuses having been denounced In the Matan-
zas Custom House, aud changes being made
in the officials there. The PROCEEDINGS against
the former Military Intendant, Sr. Arrova. and
several contractors continue with great vieor,
but reports are hdtlv contradictory rs to their
result. Some state that the principal prisoners
will either be shot or sentenced to the cham
gang, while Others. who should he equally well
informed assert that although the moral cu pa
able proofs Of legal culp ,bihty. Gen. Jovellar
Is sad. there fore, to re in despair at the POSI-
billy OF conyicting tn IN and making them an
ex ,mple. The difficulty OF doing consists
chiefly IN tue escape OF Fe'jio and the subordi-
nate officers, whose evidence IL needed to con-
Wet their superiOrs with the contractors.
he militia law ~ being enforced here. and tho
young men who have attained the period for
militia duty are as DESTROYS Of hiding their are
as any old maid. On the other hand. those OF
thirty-hve have resoutely jumped into the full
possession OF thirty-six.
The merchants OF Havana have Organized a
&c neral Centre Of Commerce" In this city,
under direction Of ID. Quentin de Tore, the
Syndic. to serve ~ a medium OF Communication
between the Government and the commercial
community IN all matters respecting taxation.
Sc. and OF claims against the Government for
errors In assessment, Classification, and similar
matters.
The insurgents are reported to have attacked
GaVilaucitO. but to have been repulsed alter a
e