The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-02
CUBANS WANT
DUTIES REDUCED.
The Industries of the Island Have
Been ParaIyzed by the War.
WANT PROTECTION FOR TOBACCO
They Also Want Relief from Taxation
for Some Years-Amcrican Money
Should not be Obligatory Tender
Owing To Scarcity on Island

SANTIAGO DE CUBA, Dec. 1.-Robert
L. Porter, United States special commits
sioner TO 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. who afterward
gave him offices at the Palace. 20 enable
him to meet prominent business men In
this locality and 10 transact other busl-
ness.
REDUCTION OF DUTIES
This afternoon a committe of the Cham-
Der OF Commerce waited upon Mr.. Porter
and presented "A memorial upon PROB
lem Of paramount Importance, impera-
lively demanding the attention OF the gov
erlment. According to this memorial
the financial situation Of the country and
its very economic life depend upon re-
duction OF duties. Sugar production, Tor
instance has suffered a severe blow dur
ing recent years. falling from l,UJOOO IN
1894 TO 10000 tons in 1897. Meanwhile
prices are lower. and the difficulty OF
trans ortation Is greater, while there Is
deficiency Of apparatus. and interest IS all
the time accommodating on debts.
FREEDOM FROM TAXES.
The Chamber recommends freedom from
all taxes for reasonable number of
years. the abolition OF duties on ma
chnery and free admission 10 the mar
kets OF the United Etates.
REGARDING tobacco the Chamber de-
cides that the Importation OF the foreign
leaf be absolutely prohibited in order to
avoid the manufacture Of the same Whlch
is then sold abroad as the product or the
island to the prejudice of the CUBAN
manufacture and agriculture
The Chamber requests, too, tho sexten-
sion Of the privilege granted TO Spain
in the CUBAN mining industry for an ad-
ditlonal ten years, expiring In 1913. ow-
ing 10 the fact that the warfare during
the last three years has seriously IN
sured the mining industry
Tho Chamber considers that many
thines are greatly overcharged under
the existing tariff and others greatly
benefited. The Chamber also asks lhe
entire suppression of export duties Win
a view TO the development Of cuban IN
dustries and an abolition Of the duty
on passengers arriving In the isiahu'
AMERICAN MONEY.
Tho memorial i'm pointing their under
standing that American currency Is opls-
atory tender in all transactions that tahe
place I'm the territory under American
control characterize this regulation as
premature. because the political situa-
ton I'm cuba is not yet settled ana there
is a lack OF American currency 10 meet
an transactions These objections are IN
dependent Of the fact that such resula-
tion must deprecate the Spanish goid IN
circulation. thus being preiudicial TO the
public wealth and commercial interest
The memorial requests that waste lands
be granted to natives who desire to cul-
tivato IL and that facilities be given lot
railway construction and other means OF
transportation and communication.
MOUNTED INFANTRY.
General Wood. a few days ago. propos-
ed plan TO the War department 70
mount two companies TO each white
regiment IN the province. and to amaiga-
mate them in a regiment Of mounted in
fantry lie has received by cable an APP
prevail Of his suggestion and the infor-
nation that a thousand horses with their
necessary accoutrements will be for
warded Immediately.