The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-02
IMPORT DUTY ON
LEAF TOBACCO
Will Revive the Industry Throughout
the Island Of Cuba.
OTHER TOWNS EVACUATED
United States Delegates Sent In ADJ
vance to Take Charge.
ACTION OF INsURGENT OFFICER
In Assuming Command at Pinar del
Rio Will Not be Repeated-The
Comal Anxiously Awaited
..sv With Supplies.
ACTION OF INsuRGENT OFFICER

Havana, December IA cable message
received yesterday by the principal to-
baceo and cigar importing firm in Havana,
announces on authority of SenorLuis March
special commissioner of the Cuban tobacco
manufacturers at Washington, that the
United States government will place pro-
hibitive import duty on leaf tobacco I'M
ported into the island of IS per pound and
of $3.50 plus rs per cent. on cigars The ex-
port duties are to remain as heretofore,
$3.50 per 100 kilos on leaf tobacco and $l.S5
per thousand on cigars
Although hopes had been entertained that
export duties would be abolished entirely,
the announcement that prohibitive duties
will be placed on tobacco imported into the
island has been received with jubilation by
manufacturers and exporters, as guarantee
ing the survival and development of the to-
bacco industry In Cuba, which otherwise
would have been threatened with extinc-
ton.
Last evening the Marquis Esteban, mayor
of Havana, had a long conference with
General Greene concerning street cleaning.
General Greene undertook to clean and dis
infect the city forthwith 1t was decided
towed out to sea and dumped several miles
away. A sufficient number of scows and
lighters are to be sent here by the United
States government for. this purpose.
Will be Retained
Several municipal officials now holding
office under Spanish regime will be re-
tanned to assist the Americans with, their
experience and special knowledge OF the
city.
General Clous this morning paid conf
Dental visit on behalf of the United States
evacuation commissioners to General Par
RADIO, president of the Spanish evacuation
commission, who informed him that the
towns of Guirar La Latina and vereda, with
other less important villages would be
evacuated in the course of the day.
Colonel Hecker, chief of the United States
transportation board. entertained at dinner
last evening the directors of the local rail-
way lines, with which he recently concluded
agreements for the transportation of United
States troops and supplies. Although it is
impossible to obtain the exact figures as
yet, it is understood that the transporta-
ton rates are rather more favorable to the
carriers than might have been expected.
Settlements are to made monthly in United
States currency.
The death list of the victims of the recent
powder explosion on Avenue De La In
fanta had reached twenty-five at noon to-
day.
To Send Delegates
1t is learned from reliable sources that
the United States evacuation commissioners
have requested the Spanish commissioners
to advise them at least two or three days
in advance of the evacuation of cities and
towns, so to enable the American au-
thorties to send delegates to take charge
of the evacuated points, with view to
avoiding hereafter such incidents as oc-
Cured on the evacuation of the city of
Pinar del Rio when an insurgent lieuten-
ant-colonel with $50 men assumed control
The return of the released steamer Comal
with further supplies for the starving Gu
bans is eagerly awaited. Her cargo it is
understood, will be assigned to Mr. Gould
for distribution. This sending of supplies
is undoubtedly step in the right direction
and will do more to concliate the Cubans
and earn their gratitude than anything else.