The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1876-01-21
COMMERCIAL MATTERS, Etc.

Spanish trade, notwithstanding internal and
external wars, proves remarkably elastic, and
shows what the resources of the country
would BE- if properly developed In 1949 the
value of her foreign commerce was 500, 700,
600; in 1874 it had grown to Sl5IO!6 GOV
The increase took place entirely under the
monarchial form Of government.
The Alabama-claims commissioners met IN
Washington On Wednesday, the OH inst, and
will consider the case Of y. Il Tucker Co..
for the loss of vessel, destroyed by the Con-
federste cruiser Shenandoah III 1865. There
are yet 375 claims to dispose of. The Geneva
award OF $4,000, 600 has reached, with the
accruing interest, over SIS, 0OO, 600, and as the
claims will not take over Sic, OOO, OOO there
will be handsome surplus, which the insu-
rance companies are now trying very hard
to get.
The Cuban Sugar Crop and the Rebellion.
New York Bulletin 18th inst.l
About year ago, we were told that the Gu
bans had made inroads On the sugar pro-
ducing sections Of Cuba and destroyed large
amounts of sugar. The reports, it was ulti.
mately discovered, contained one part OF
truth to four of exaggeration. This year also
the journals OF the island present alarming
statements. The Cardenas Boletin Mercantil
of the 9th inst, contains advices from plan
teIS III Alo NACAulty SoItluB lOItu uESt lut', wv
ing to two months of drouth, csu sing
shliakage to the cane and diminution OF
sac ,harine juice, the yield Of sugar promises
to fall IS per cent below that Of 1875, and
Eext that universal alarm Is felt at the pfOx-
unity of the rebels.
The Boletin says that an undertone of dis
content is noticeable among the gangs OF
slaves, which in some instances has broken
out in actual revolt The organizing OF
armed local patrols has been undertaken to
protect the estates, with official sanction, and
it is feared that rebel raids may cause serious
destruction to the crop through applying the
torch to this most combustible of crops.
The Havana DidriO de Ia Mlrina, an official
organ, also had its attention directed to this
subject through statements contained in the
Didrio de CsenfuegOs, which, with some ap-
pearance of anxiety, considers what may be
the effect on the sugar crop of the burning OF
q certain number OF canetelds. The Utdri0
de la Marina, which has always made light OF
the rebellion, appears to consider the situa-
ton serious, and discusses the measures to be
adopted for protecting the best sugar growing
section of the island. 1t remarks:
"It is undeniable that Maxine Gomez an
followers from Camaguey did not advano }
across the Trocha with the intent to conquer,
under beating drums, the western part OF the
island. They evidently crossed with the
purpose of gaining a tenure IN section OF
country likely to afford them more ample
and better subsistence than that from which
they emerged, and to intlict meanwhile all
the injury in their power on property OF all
descriptions. The confederation of this as
sertion lies in the fact that all their doings
and exploits have merely consisted In the
wanton destruction of a number OF planta-
tons and unfortiied towns. BY thess pro-
ceedings they thought to achieve twofold
purpose-to create alarm within the island,
and to draw the attention of outside sympa'
tbizers by the glare of the flames"
In considering what steps should be taken
to protect these threatened districts, the Dia
rio says: "We should proceed to create two
territorial zones; forming the first out OF the
seven invaded counties, from Colan TO Cienfue
Cos. and the second from those of Cardenas,
Colon Guines and Matanzas, which comprise
those in most imminent danger" This recon
mendation conveys information which will bt
news to most of our readers, that the rebels
have gained foothold, more or less. IN seven
important sugar counties, and that four Others
are Gin imminent danger"
If all this be so, the rebels are evidently
near enough to the most productive part o.
the island to do vast mischief If they are SC
disposed for the regular troops, though
centered in this very district Of country, arr
by fevers and so emaciated by malaria, thai
they could do little toward averti0g destruc
tive raids; and the local protective forces tina
are being organized will probably have enough
to do to watch the slaves, if they are as nucl
disaffected as these Cuban journals repre-
sent.
But one or two things need be considered
in connection with these representations
The cane fields are at this season more sus
-. tha~ ~ Sptr
dangers feared; and hence it is natural enough
that, Just now, there should be q fever Of ap
prehension. In the next place, both tn
planters ard the newspapers OF the lslan'
have keen commercial eye to the effect Q
any reports of this character and, to say tn
least, would not be likely to mlnity whateve
danger might exist
And further beyond the distinctions cause'
year ago-which seem to have been more TO
strategic effect than from mere wantonness-
the rebels have not shown much disposition
to adopt the frebrand method OF warfare
Indeed, they seem to have chosen policy Q
consideration for the territory acquired. as
regarding it necessary to do SO in order t
maintain fruitful source Of supplies. II
also to be noted that, although the fields Il
before them ready to burst into conhagra
ton at the touch ofthe torch, and confessedl
within their easy reach, yet we do not hear c
the first instance in which such destruction
has been attempted.
Coffee Duties.
The first duty imposed on coffee in tn
United States by the tariff act OF 1859 levle
a duty of q cents pound. This was in
creased in 1891 to 4 cents pound and il
1895 to cents pound, where it RENAME
until the war tariff of 1912 and 1915, whic
rendered war duties nee essary. and the tai
on coffee was fixed at 10 cents per pound. l
1853 reduction was effected on coffee to
cents a pound, and by 1880 to cents and
cent according to grade. The days Of To-
tariff coming about, coffee was made free fror
1880 to 1861.
In the latter year duty Of and cents
pound was imposed, and the tax continued
5 cents per pound during the war and Ii
years following, until the act Of July IA, 1871
which reduced the duty on coffee from GEM
to 3 cents per pound, until it was who'll
abolished in 1872.
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