The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-24
THE OUTLOOK FOR CIGARS.
EFFECTS OF WEYBER,s DECREE
AND THE INSURGENTS ACTIYITY.

The prohibttion OF the Export OF Tobneee
from Havana Not n Surprise Here
Havana cigars. Either Domestic or H--
ported, Likely to Be Scarce = Yeas
Hence had News for Smokers.
The edict Of Gen. weyler prohibiting the
expectation Of vuelta Ahajo and Partidos to-
bacco from Havana las not caused much sur
prise among the manufacturers OF cltAs Ha-
VauR cigars In this country, for the reason thNt
all who had cash Mt their disposal discounted
II some weeks ago. This docs not mean that
there Is a wealth OF these tobaccos in this
country. for owing to the difficulty of keep
ing these fragrant tobaccos In perfect .condt-
ton for more thar twelve months after the
crop has been harvested, no factory carries
NJ any time a large stock, as Is the case with
factories using domestic grown tobarpo-
What II does mean IL that for months pass
II has beon understood that little or no to-
bacco OF the 1890 crop could he expected.
owing to the In 'urgcnts frightening away
thc farmers, and In some cases destroying the
fields Of growing leaf; consequently such to-
bacco "a was BROUGHT into Havana and was
suitable for the American market was snapped
up by tho capitalists. The wrapper stock of
this Ia SAIL TO 10 very small. and the bcst in
formed people OF the trade think that not
moro than four or five firms will bc ablo to
make Clcnr havana cigars Tor n tHrlOu eN-
tending longer than six months from now.
Many firms have not tobacco wrappers enough
20 last them for more than two months.
When II IA remembered that about 2OO.-
600, 900 clear Havana cigars are made In ills
country every yenr, the deficiency in wrappers
becomes important, as the workers in these
factories will I've out OF employment unless
some other type of tobncco L. used 70 work up
the more plentiful filler stocks. 1t seems
likely that some factories will do this. hut
there are others ~ tie legitimate high grade
type, owned by Spaniarls. who declare that
they will never resort to such an cxpedient.
So stubborn are these people that they may
close down rather than work other tobacco
for wrappers. Most of the American firms
that have bought tohaccoS In cxpecta ion Of
the edict, or n prohthitory tariff. are said to
have the bulk OF their tobacco here. Tho to-
tai new crop for the current year was three
weeks ago timated To amount to about 1907
600 bales, but at present IL Is estimated by
one of the leading leaf tobacco men of this
city to amount 10 less than $4,000 bales,
much having been destroyed, and It. is very
problemn,ical how much of this will ever
reach Havana. At present 1t is unmatured,
and II landed in this country would not, in
his estimation, lie worth five cents a pound.
Dealers In all parts are being anxiously asked
by their customers what the result will DO.
They are told that the immediate result will
lie fiat they must take darker colors on their
cigars. and use the better ana ripper tobacco,
which has hitherto been crowded aside by Q
popular fad In favor OF III" supposedly milder
lighter Colors. An increase in price is also
probable. hut IL IL stated that several of tho
large firms who have tobacco to last for up
ward OF a year are already assuring their GUS
toners that no advance In price will lie made.
but that darker colOrs will have to be sold.
SO the consumer need not expect 70 pay moro,
In some cases.
A year from now Amcrican-maic clear Ha-
vana cigars will he as scarce as hens teeth,
and the imported article from Cuba will not
be much more abundant, for the Cuban facto-
ries are said to have little more leaf on hand
thau the American manufacturers. II Is stated
that a short time ago Gen. Maceo notified the
managers OF the Golden Eagle factory OF Ha-
vaua that II they wanted to make sure OF .
large quantity Of tobacco In Remates. they
could have il by paying the insurgents $780,
900: This the factory proprietor was willing
to do. but he consulted Weyler about It. and
the General laughed at him, and said
do not pay It. l will give you protection,
and you can fetch it."
\ body Of troops was sent for II, and found
the entire sock In ashes. The Pedro Murias
factory is also said TO have lost 500 900 in
buildings and tobacco, and 1t Is doubtful IL
imported cigars can last the year out. In ad-
dition. the present crop OF Surnatra leaf, which
IL used for wrappers on cigars made of Havana
iillers. Is said to be dark, heGvy, high priced.
domestic crop of leaf tobacco seems to be light
In sections. The Lancaster, Pa Tobacco
Growers society reports that the crop IS about
- per cent. shy. 1t looks as II cigar smok-
ers were abnnt to have a hard time, as tho
supply OF Florida tobacco is limited.