New-York tribune., 1896-11-22
HAVANAS IN SHORT SUPPLY.
THE CUBAN WARS EFFECT ON THE
CIGAR MARKET.
PRICES LIKELY TO GO UP SOON BECAUSE OF THE
EMBARGO on EXPORTING TOBACCO FROM
THE IsLAND-wHAT CLEAR

PRICES LIKELY TO GO UP SOON BECAUSE OF THE
EMBARGO on EXPORTING TOBACCO FROM
THE IsLAND-wHAr CLEAR
HAvANAs" ARE.
Unless all present signs fail. or hosties IN Cuba
are brought suddenly 10 an end and the embargo on
exporting tobacco raised II is going TO be advisable
for the smoker 10 lay In large stock OF his favore
brand at once. There seems TO be little question.
Judging from the outlook that the man VINO pur-
chases a thousand or two cigars before December
will save money Many cigar-deaers pooh-pooh
this but there is great element Of uncertainty IN
the tobacco situation. TO say the least. The facts
OF the case are that there is very small stock o.
Cuban tobacco in the country. not more than
enough TO last two months under ordinary crcum-
stances Furthermore. there is little chance OF any
more coming In while the Cuban war lasts. ana the
decided prospect either that clear Havana goods
will become very or else that the old. stable
brands will be made UP In part OF cheaper tobacco
To understand fully the cigar situation some ex-
PLANTATION Of the kinds varieties OF cigars
smoked In America is needed Smokers frequently
talk gbly about imported brands clear Ha-
vanas" and the Ike without having any ade-
ouate conception OF what these words actually
mean. What they really do signify Is this: The I'M
ported cigar though many cheap makes are sold 70
unwary purchasers under that title. is very little
smoked in this country nowadays. because OF us
price. The consumption OF imported goods has not
only proportionately decreased but actually fewer
OF them are smoked There two reasons FOR
this first the expense and second and chiefly, that
the quality Of the clear Havana makes has been
steadily improving for some years
An imported cigar is one that is made IN Cuba
OF the duty imposed on Them in the box rheir
consumption to-day only amounts 70 about per
cent Of the total American Smoke" II used 10
be nearly per cent. but. has been said. the use
Of imported cigars has gradually dropped. Next IN
ola ~.
No exact statistics OF the number OF these mace
has ever been kept but II is known that they 700,
up about u per cent. OF the total consumption. II
is on these cigars that there Is the imminent short
age and these the brands the average man OF
position and means. though not great wealth.
smokes.
clear Havana cigar is a cigar that is made in
this country by Cuban cigarmakers. who have
generally received their training In the Havana
factories out OF precisely the same material OF
which the imported cigars are constructed. IL Is
essential that these cigars shall be made by cigar
makers that genuine Cubans because only
these men know the proper and historic way OF
rolling the Havana leaf Genuine clear Havana
cigars have the Havana nler. binder ana wrapper.
and no other tobacco IS introduced in them. Ihey
are precisely the same as the ordinary grades OF
imported. save that they are made IN this country
No Bohemian, German or Niddlsn hands are al
lowed to touch them. They can be soid at a Inucn
lower figure than the imported cigar. for the Tea-
son that tobacco coming here In bales is dutiaDe
at lower figure: . a.. ,-
smoked here OF the better qualities as described
Imported and clear Havana. The remaining 30
nor cent consists OF the cheaper grades. domestic.
Dutch (Surinam and SumatraJ, ana Mexican toDac-
CO. These rolled over ON the Last Sloe OF Ne%-
out the country. and In The back rooms OF thou-
sands OF small shops Few excellent cigars are
these have never become very popular among inc
whG sTe are eSfH e chief Of the
cigars and their method OF roiiing anu nhisnhnS inhS
hem Is substantially different from the CUBAN
process Ito, r, d,rarence &c I'm the finish
~ he rasiiy nopular among It's class OF smokers. the
twofer'' or 'threefer' (by which is meant TWO Tor
cents three for the same amour , sr o Inst bs
inesilv coated and shiny instead OF having the hui
smoothness OF the high-class Vareues, ms eoSs
~ DDoduced generally by the use or giyctTln II is
- p p,beee cigars however that will be affected by
.ha nresent shortage Of tobacco. Inc scarcl'y Is
emu s,d are the cigars OF the people OF the classes
There are now In the Chlsu o'a,,n d U'y o,,o,,,n
bales Of Cuban tobacco. nh unuGl sunny together
rith ~ 600 bales In Cuba tha cah,ot DC eHPo' -
These SO 600 bales are uneVeniy nelu. sr ~ ra
tlon oi Tor higher prices. Not single manuiact-
wrer of clear Havana has more than enough stoCn @
10 run s -, his size are very few. BY far the great
p,rnber of manufacturers OF THIS cass OF SoodS
er En- mel nnlv two or three weeks supp.y on mana, @
nave ohiy N.u York Key West and Tampa nave
,.nadv ehut of manufacturing ehurey otheis arc
running on half time ana tncre "etv We no The srorks
Cunan made cigars OF this kind are drawn down
arv low and certain colors are hii DuI p ,h
very ~" Not a few wholesalers prominent III me
10 get; ~. already announced that they can no
Laaoe ,aoer furnish certain brands .o,,, ,,hor
ionge he situation is in some way relieved either
uhIeess '' Havana brands will speedily become ex-
tne or Mexican tobacco VIII be useo or me sly
in making up these ceatS Gu ,bousanS alleged clear Ha-
number % the market made with wrappers or Mexi-
vanas ocn on Mexican tobacco Is OF considerably
lower grade.