Evening star., 1895-04-30
c uBA'ssa U HARD LOT
Its Burden Of Tat and Its Mortgaged
Revenues.
Effect of Spanish Misrule-Facts Re-
ported byISC9nsul General
Williams.

United States Consul General Ramon O.
Williams of Habana, Cuba, has made an
instructive report to the State Department
on the condition of Cuban finances. He
appends a translation of an editorial from
! the Diario de la Marina of February Il
last. ..
The report and the editorial show that
the public debt of Cuba is now about 5000,
| O000O0-nearly double the amount of the
Indebtedness at the close of the war six
teen years ago; and this notwithstanding
the fact that $12O.0O0.OO to $13O, ,OOO, 900 has
been paid during these sixteen years of
profound peace. The deficit in the revenues
of the island for the last ten years has
amounted to s42,694575, and it is said that
the annual deficit threatens to become per-
petual.
The deficit really aggregates $SO,OO0,0OO If
the deficit from the year 1878 be included.
These figures explain the rapid growth of
the public debt, with its increased interest
and successive conversions.
Customs Revenues MortEnged.
For the payment of such an enormous
burden, as well the interest thereon
(Which amounts to about $13, 900, 900, and all
goes to Europe), the customs revenues of
the island are mortgaged. The present
Spanish law regulating the commercial re-
lations of Cuba is such as to. greatly Grip
pie the resources of the island. and it's re-
form Is demanded by all classes interested
In keeping up Cuban credit. For instance,
1t Is reported that a steamer landed 10000
bags Of rice at Habana as of peninsular
production. and hence free from duty,
in the East Indies and paid 5000 in duty
to Spain instead of paying to the Cuban
treasury. Much of Cuba's supplies are re-
ceived through Spain in that way.
Cubans demand that foreign countries be
given freer access to their ports and that
the tariff be so reformed as to yield the
island larger revenue. AS it Is they have
been obliged to tide over their financial
difficulties by repeated loans.
The bankruptcy Of the Cuban nation is
scarcely more ominous than the condition
OF the Cuban planters
The Sugar Growers.
According to a report made by Mr.. Bar
ker. United States consul at Sagua la
Granda, the sugar growers of that district
as, in fact. throughout Cuba, are at the
very beginning of the grinding season in a
most deplorable condition, and bankruptcy
appears inevitable to nine-tenths of Them
The very low price Of sugar. centrifugals-
selling today at 7-S cents per pound
Spanish gold), with Indications of a fur
ther decline in prices-renders the situation
so discouraging that some mills have ceas-
ed to grind. Within the past few days one
large planter has suspended, and others
may have to do so for want of money to
operate their mills. Holders sell only the
amount compelled by their contracts-for
money advanced for preparing the crop.
They are anxiously awaiting the effect of
the concessions made by Spain to the Unit
ed states products imported into Cuba, and
indulge the hope that Cuba sugars will. in
some manner, be favored by the United
States in compensation for the aforesaid
concessions. The consul says that without
some concessions. Or an advance in price,
another year viii see state of affairs
direfuI and disastrous. even with the most
prosperous Of Cuban planters.
At this season of the year it has been
usual for commercial houses in the United
states to have quite number of repre-
sentatives IN Cuba soliciting business. but
Under existing circ unastances. they have in
the consufs Judgment, acted wisely In not
now seeking the trade of Cuba; for, owing
to the impoverished condition of the peo-
pie. they cannot, with safety, incur further
obligations. This condition is verified by
the almost daily suspension of some we'll
known firm. Since February the weather
has been so disastrous to the growing cane
preventing its being cut in due season. as
to materially decrease the yield. Thi de-
crease is due to the winter and sprnt cane
being hollow and containing very little
port grinding the same amount of cane as
last year. the result. In sugar, being 25 Der
cent less. Many mills will finish their crop
by April. as they consider 1t no profit either
for them or their growers to grind the
spring cane of 1894. This the consul says
together with the political agitation exist
ing on the island, renders the condition of
the sugar planter uncertain and discour-
aging
Consul General Williams refers to the
telegram recently addressed by the pro-
vfncia1 deputation of Matanzas to the dep
uties of that province in he Spanish cortes
urging suspension of al taxes on Cuban
sugar and its free admission into penin-
sula markets for one year, and says it ex-
presses the apprehension that the Cuban
sugar planters, from the low prices of su-
gar consequent upon its oyerproduction
may not be able to finish their present
crop.
A Grave Crisis.
says: 1.-THE sugar crisis is most grave, and
it is much to be feared that not only many
planters will not be able to start grinding,
but even a good part of those that have
commenced may not oe able to finish max
ing their entire crops. Famous 'centrals
that at this time of year were accustomed
to work night and day to be able to crush
within season their supplies of the cane are
now working on one-third time, for the
manufacturers cannot afford to make thou
sands of bags of sugar solely for storage
nor can they make sugar at the present
prices. In consequence of this state of
things great anxiety prevails in the rural
districts. for scarcity becomes greater day
by day. and the hopes placed in the pres
ent state of things are being lost. Nobody
pays. Customers do not satisfy their ac-
counts at the country stores nor can the
latter meet their obligations with the mer-
chants who supply them from the cities.
And all branches of business are linked
together, the specter of bankruptcy ap-
pears now on the horizon"
What the effect will be of the action of
the Spanish cortes in making tariff regula-
tions somewhat more favorable to Cuban
American trad and in removing revenue
charges and export duties from Cuban su-
gar remains to be seen. 1t is thought that
the rebellion in the island will greatly COM
plicate matters.
Victims of Nihilists.
From the Chicago Times Herald.
George Alexander jameson, one Of the
m. TT, Al. ,Ira