The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-05-26
THE OUTLOOK FOR CIGARS.
Effects Of Weyler's Decree and the In
surgents' Activity.

The Prohibition of the Export of Tobacco
From Havana Not Surprise Here
Havana Cigars, Either Domestic OF I'm
ported, Likely to Be Scarce Year
Hence-Bad News for Smokers.
New York SUM-
The ediot of Gen. Weyler prohibiting
the expectation Of Vuelta Abaio and
Partdos tobacco from Havana has not
caused much surprise among the manu-
facturers OF clear Havana cigars in this
country, for the reason that all who had
cash at their disposal discounted it some
| weeks ego. This does not mean that
there is wealth OF these tobaccos in this
country, Tor owing to the difficulty of
keeping these fragrant tobacoos in per-
feet condition for more than twelve
months after the crop has been harvest
ed, no factory carries at any time large
STOCK, as is the case with factories using
domestic grown tobacco What 1t does
mean Is that for months past it has been
understood that little or no tobacco of
the 1886 corp could be expected, owing to
the insurgents frightening away the
farmers, and in some cases destroying the
nelds OF growing leaf; consequently such
tobacco as was brought into Havana
and was suitable for the American mar
ket was snapped up by the capitalists.
The wrapper stock of this Is said to be
very small, and the best informed people
OF the trade think that not more than
Tour or tive firms will be able to make
clear Havana cigars for period extend
ing longer than six months from now.
Many firms have not tobacco wrappers
enough to last them for more than; two
months
When it is remembered that about
20. 0000, 900 clear Havana cigars are made
IN this country every year. the deficiency
IN wrappers becomes important, as the
workers in these factories VIII be out of
employment unless some other type of
tobacco is used to work up the more
plentiful filler stocks. 1t seems likely
that some factories will do this, but there
are others of the legitimate high-grads
type, owned by Spaniards, who declare
that they will never resort to such an ex-
pedient. 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
tobaocos in expectation of the edict, or
prohIbitory tariff, are said to have the
bulk Of their tobacco here. The total
new crop for the current year was three
weesk ago estimated to amount to about
100, 600 bales, but at presentsis is estimated
by one Of the leading leaf tobacco men of
this city to amount to less than rs. 900
bales, much having been destroyed, and
1T is very problematical how much of this
will ever reach Havana. At present it
is unmatured, and il landed in this couu-
try would not, in his estimation, be
worth five cents pound.
Dealers in all ports are being anxious
ly asked by their customers what the re-
suit will be. They are told that the i'm
mediate result will be that they must
take darker color On their cigars, and
use the better and ripper tobacco, which
has hitherto been crowded aside by
popular fad in favor of the supposedly
milder lighter colors. An increase in
that several Of the large firms who have
tobacco to last for upward of year are
already assuring their customers that no
advance in price will be made, but that
darker colors will have to be sold. So
the consumer need not expect to pay
| more, in some cases.
A year from now American made clear
Havana cigars will be AS scarce as hens
teeth and the imported article from Gu
ba will not be much more abundant for
til Cuban factories are said to have little
more leaf OH hand than the American
manufacturers. 1t is stated that short
time ago Gen. Maceo notified the mana
gers of the Golden Eagle factory of Ha-
yana that il they wanted to make sure
of a large quantity OF tobacco in Re.
mates, they could have it by paying the
insurgents $780,, This the factory
proprietor was willing to do, but he con-
suited Weyler about it, and the General
| laughed at him, and said:
''Do not pay it. I will give you proteo-
iton, and you can fetch it."
A body of troops was sent for it, and
found the entire stock in ashes. The
Pedro Murias factory IS also said to have
lost 800, 900 in buildings and tobacco,
and it is doubtful il imported cigars can
| last the year out IN addition, the pres
ent crop of Sumatra leaf, which is used
for wrappers on cigars made of Havana
filters, is said to be dark. heavy, high
priced. and poor in quality. To cap the
climax, the domestic crop of leaf tobac-
co seems to be light in sections. The
Lancaster (Pa.) Tobacco Growers Sooi
ETY. reports that the crop is about 70 per
cent. shy. 1t looks as If cigar smokers
were about to have hard time, rs the
supply of Florida tobacco is limited.