The times., 1898-11-16
THE CONDITIONS IN CUBA
An Interesting Paper From
the State Department.
CHANCES FOR ENTERPRISE
Immis ration From the United States
Premature at Present - Difficult
Labor Problem to S"lve-Necessity
for Cold Storage Plants-IrOn Ore
Industry-ForecastiD the FIXTURE.

An important paper showing the pres
ent conditions in Cuba was given out for
publication by the State Department yes
terday. 1t follows:
Everybody is fully aware of the
change that the Island of Cuba has al
ready commenced to undergo, but few
stop to consider the magnitude of such
radical evolution and of the enormous
amount of work that 1t entails
1.-The United States authorities have
wisely sent to Cuba their best organizers.
men of recognized experience and alb lity
for each department, who are working
like beavers in their various assignments.
studying minutely every detail and rec
ommending to Washington what is prop
er and best for the successful general re-
organization of government in the island.
The precision, foresight and tact en-
ployed by these officials is truly admira-
| BILE; and when the fact that they are at
the same time exposing their lives to
disease is taken into account, their work
| becomes all the more meritorious ard
| praiseworthy.
Under the assurance of the proXmate
establishment of good management of af-
fairs, the planters, who during the late
prolonged struggle suffered so much and
who welcomed the Intervention of the
American nation to stop ruinous war,
are now preparing to reconstruct their
plantations and commence to work with
renewed vigor and faith in the future.
Such preparations are To be noted III the
districts of Havana, Pinar del Rio, Ma
tanzas. Las Villas Sagua Santiago, and
elsewhere.
The Labor Problem.
The main difficulty that the new au-
thorities in Cuba will haze 10 confront
and solve is to furnish work for the
thousands at present unemployed
I throughout the island.
! Until the various civilizations are once
more started under proper protection and
! guaranty, without which the planters Will
/ not venture to resume operations. this
mass of idle people must De taken care
! OF in some manner. At present. they are
! living practically on popular charity, for
I there is no properly organized system of
relief, excepting few associations who
render assistance in small way. This
state of things would of itself be sufficient
! to start a fresh revolution in any other
| country. Here, the people are orderly
. and resigned to their misery.
| 1T is said that railroad will be built
| from one to the other extreme of the
! island and it is also reported that the
/ work of improving the sanitary conditions
! of Havana and other places will be under
| taken necessary war measure. This
will furnish labor for many hundreds or
thousands of the unem pioyed, and the
/ country will benefit both ways. These
! practical and effectual measures will no
doubt have an excellent effect.
"As to immigration either from the
United States or other countries, 1t would
prove premature at present and until
| the resources of the island are again de-
! veoped on a good working basis 1t
| would then be advantageous. Such de-
( gree of development should not be diff
cult or tardy TO attain under good direc-
/ ton and management of affairs. for Cuba
has already proved its quick recuperative
powers, with its magnificent natural re-
/ sources.
There is special scarcity of oxen for
labor in preparing the lands for sugar and
tobacco cultivation, these animals being
I Indispensable for such work; and great
numbers will be required. There is now
| considerable speculation with these ami
mails. and those who venture to bring
them and put them in pasture, for sale as
opportunity presents, will most probably
obtain good profit These animals should
be already broken in and ready for
work
THE Mexican oxen. although smaller
and less powerful that the American, give
better results. because they become accli-
mated more readily, with less risk of loss
to the planters.
Cold Storage.