The Indianapolis journal., 1898-12-02
And Point Ont Many Things Which
They Believe Should he Reformed
I'm the Interest of Cubans.
TOBACCO PLANTERS PLEASED
PROHIBITIVE DUTY MAY BE PLACED
ON LEAF IMPORTS.
Evacuation of Havana Expected by
Christmas, When Old Glory VIII
Float Over MORO Castle.

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Dec. Robert
P. Porter, United States special commits
sioner to Cuba and Porto Rico to study
the economic conditions in both islands,
had long interview to-day with Gen.
Leonard Wood, who afterward gave him
offices at the palace. This afternoon COM
mittee of the Chamber of Commerce
waited on Mr.. Porter and presented me-
mortal upon a problem of paramount i'm
portance imperatively demanding the atten-
tion of the government. According to the
memorial, the financial situation Of the
country and its very economic life depend
upon reduction of duties. Sugar produc-
ton, for instance, has suffered severe
blow during recent years, falling from one
million tons in 1894 to four hundred thou
sand tons in 1897. Meanwhile prices are
lower and the difficulty of transportation is
greater, while there is a deficiency of ap-
paratus and interest is all the time accum-
ulating on debts.
The chamber recommends freedom from
all taxes for a reasonable number of years,
the abolition Of duties on machinery and
free admission to the markets of the United
States. Regarding tobacco the chamber de-
sires that the importation of the foreign
leaf be absolutely prohibited, i'll order to
avoid the manufacture of the same which
is then sold abroad as the product of the
island, to the prejudice Of the Cuban manu-
facture and agriculture. The chamber re-
quests, too, an extension of the privileges
granted to Spain in the Cuban mining in
dustry for an additional ten years, expiring
in 1913, owing to the fact that the warfare
during the last three years has seriously in
Jured the mining industry. The chamber
that things greatly
charged under the existing tariff and others
greatly benefited. Among the former are
petroleum and other refined mineral oils and
the memorial asks a reduction TO cents
gallon. The chamber also asks the entlre
suppression of export duties, with view to
the development of Cuban industries and
an abolition of the duty on passengers ar
irving in the island.
The memorialiSts, pointing out their un-
derStanding that American currency is OBJ
ligatory tender in all transactions that take
place in the territory under American con-
trcl, characterize this regulation as prena-
ture, because the political situation In Gu
ba is not yet settled and there is a lack OF
American currency to meet all TRANSACTIONS
These objections are independent or the 1acL
that such regulation must deprec1ate the
Spanish gold in circulation, this being pref
judicial to the public wealth ana commences
interests. If, however, this regulation Is 10
be enforced the Chamber of Commerce re-
quests the United States government to SEND
enough silver fractional currency to pay
the army of occupation, thus bringing small
that waste land be granted to natives VINO
desire to cultivate it and that facilities be
given for railway construction and other
means of transportation and communication.
Mr.. Porter on receiving the memorial told
the committee of the Chamber of Commerce
that he was glad to be put in possession of
such comprehensive report of the indus
trial needs of the island. While not pre-
pared to enter into details, he assured them
that q general recommendation had already
been made to President Mckinley and Mr..
Gage secretary of the treasury, based upon
provinces, along the lines of the memorial
just presented. 1t was gratifying, he said,
to be able to add that he was in accord
with the chamber in most of its sugges-
tions. Much had already been done which
was due in no small degree to the broad
Mr.. Porter asserted, a complete grasp of
the economic, social and military problems
confronting Cuba and America Every dol
lar of revenue was now being honestly APP
piled for the benefit of the people OF the
province. Cuba was no longer drained by
civil government like that given by General
Wood the complete industrial reconstruction
of the island was near at hand The COM
mittee retired much gratified with their re-
ception at the hands of Mr.. Porter.
General Wood few days ago proposed a
plan to the War Department to mount two
companies of each white regiment in the
province and to amalgamate them in a
regiment of mounted infantry. He has re-
ceived by cable an approval of his sugges-
ton and the information that a thousand
horses, with the necessary accOutrementS,
will be forwarded Immediately. Each COM
pany will retain its present officers and re-
main under the order of the colonel of its
own regiment Such force of cavalry is
badly needed.