The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-10-26
TIPS ron WEST INDIA COMMITTEE.
Ex-MayOr Myers and Mr.. VIM. Lag
aron ReYieM Their visit.


The West India trade committee met at
the De Soto last night for the purpose Of
| hearing Mr.. Herman Myers and Mr.. Wn-
| liam Lazaron, who recently visited the
Islands, and had information 1t was anx-
ious to get before sending the Savannah
delegation on prospecting tour Both
gentlemen submitted statements, which
contain answers to numerous questions
suggested by Commissioner D. G. Purse of
The Freight Bureau. who is making an
effort to get all information possible for
the delegation before it starts.
The first question is as 10 the cost or
employing interpreters. Both gentlemen
agree in this regard, and think about $50
per month will secure the best. Mr.. Laz-
aron went to Porto Rico, and in speaking
OF the interpreters said they can easily
be engaged at any point. There is no trou-
BILE in either Cuba or Porto Rico about
making financial arrangements for the
committee to defray its expenses While
there, as a sufficient introduction to bank
ers is all that is necessary.
Referring to Porto Rico, Mr.. Lazaron
says there Is little probability OF coming
into contact with infectious disease. He
suggests that the committee be familiar
with the details of trading in such articles
as sugar, coffee, tobacco, fruits, provls-
ions and textiles, American or California
wines and Irish potatoes. There is no
direct communication between Cuba and
Porto Rico and the Barbados. These
points are way stations for English and
Spanish steamers, and also New York
steamers bound TO South American ports.
Now that the island has changed hands,
Spanish steamers will not stop regularly
at Porto Rico, which breaks the connec-
ton.
There are no steamers plying regularly
between between Havana and San Juan,
and 1t will be an accident if the committee
| Is able to catch one. Mr. Lazaron made
| the trip on a Spanish steamer bound for
| Barcelona to Vera Cruz, which touches at
Havana. The fare Is 1913. In speaking of
| sending copies of the Savannah trade re-
view to the islands, Mr. Lazaron said
he would suggest that the review be print
| ed in both Spanish and English.
Mr.. Myers mentioned number of places
| in Cuba he thinks it would be well for
the committee 10 visit. Among them are
Matanzas, Cardenas, Sagua, Cienfuegos
and Manzanillo. Ponce Is, OF course the
principal point to be visited in Porto Rico
Moderate living and avoiding
| all excuses ought to carry healthy man
| through, except against infectious dis
eases. With reference to transportation
| the Ward steamers on their way from San
uaSO 10 new YORK, USED 10 touch at Mas
| sau and will probably do so again. The
| Herrera steamers, running along the north
| coast, have extended their trips to Porto
| Rico. There used also to be a Spanish
correa once a month, but at present,
everything is still unsettled. Vessels from
| Barbados are not heard of In Havana
| he says, as only vessels freighted with
| cedar, mahogany and other woods, form
/ ery came from there.
Both Mr.. Myers and Mr.. Lazaron agree
| that the Savannah delegation should pro-
| coed to the islands, as there is much val
liable information they could obtain. An
| effort is now being made to raise the ne
| cessary funds from among the merchants,
| and the soliciting committee hopes all will
| show a liberalty in helping the movement.
| All other arrangements have been made,
| and tedious work has been done by Capt
| Purse and others to get things in shape
| for the committee to make a profitable
| trip. 1t is desired that the delegation
| start by Nov. Is, The committee will con-
| tinue to solicit funds until the necessary
| amount Is raised.