Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-02
ECONOMICS IN CUBA.
Imperative Needs, According TO sam
tfngos Chamber of Commerce.

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, December l.
Robert p. Porter, United States Special
Commissioner 10 Cuba and Porto Rico to
study the economic conditions in both
islands, had a long interview to-day with
General Leonard Wood. Governor OF the
Military Department of Santiago VINO al
terward gave him Offices at the Palace TO
enable him to meet prominent business
mo This locality and 10 transact otEer
business.
afternoon a committee Of the
Chamber OF Commerce waited upon Mr..
Porter and presented memorial upon
problem Of paramount Importance. impe-
ratively demanding the attention Of the
government.
REDUCTION OF DUTIES.
According 10 the memorial, the financial
situation OF the country and its very
economic life depend upon a reduction of
duties. Sugar production, for instance,
has suffered a severe blow during recent
years falling from 100000 in 1884 20 4OO,-
co0 tons in 1897 Meanwhile prices are
lower and the difficulty Of transportation
is greater while there is deficiency or
apparatus. and interest is all the time ac-
sumulating on debts.
The chamber recommends freedom from
all taxes for reasonable number Of
years. the abolition Of duties on ma
,hinery. and free admission TO the mar
kets Of the United States.
TOBACCO AND MINING.
Regarding tobacco, the chamber decides
,hat ne Importation of foreign lear De
absolutely prohibited. in order to avoid
he manufacture CT the same, which Is
hen sold abroad as the product Of the
Island. to the prejudice OF the cuban
manufacture and agriculture.
The chamber requests, too, an extension
Of the privileges granted to Spain in the
Cuban mining industry for an additional
ten years. expiring in 1913. owing TO the
fact that the warfare during the last
three years has seriously injured the
mining Industry.
The chamber considers that many
things are greatly overcharged under the
existing tariff, and others greatly bene-
flied The chamber also asks the entire
suppression Of export duties, with view
TO the development of Cuban industries,
and an abolition of the duty on passen-
gers arriving in the island.
AMERICAN MONEY.
The memorial. in pointing out the UNI
derstanding that American currency is
obligatory tender in all transactions that
take place in the territory under Ameri-
can control. characterizes this regulation
as premature, because the political stu
alton in Cuba is not yet settled, and there
is a lack Of American cuTrenry TO meet
all transactions. These objections are In
dependent Of the fact that such regu-
lation must depreciate the Spanish gold
in circulation thus being prejudicial 10
the public welfare and commercial inte-
rests.
The memorial requests that waste lands
be granted 10 natives who desire TO cul-
tivate them. and that facilities be given
for railway construction and other means
of transportation and communication.
CUBANS FOR CAVALRYMEN.
General Wood a few days ago proposed
a plan TO the War Department 70 mount
two companies OF Cubans to each white
regiment In the province. and 70 amalga-
mate them in a regiment Of mounted in
fantry. He has received by cable an APP
proval OF his suggestion and the intorma-
ton that q thousand horses, with their
necessary accoutrements will be for
warGed Immediately.