Akron daily Democrat. [volume] (Akron, Ohio) 1892-1902, 1899-08-26
SCENES IN HAVANA.

though there is still chance for i'm
| provement. In the departments OF
| Santiago and Matanzas-S Santa Clara
however, the Improvement has beer
| very marked. and too much cannot be
said in praise of Generals Wood anG
Wilson, who are respectively. in com
mand of these departments.
The slow but steady return of Cuba s
commercial and Industrial activities
under the protection of the United
States and the multiplying ties of bust
ness that are being formed between
the islanders and our peoplesare hav.
ing a most salutary effect.
The end of Spanish rule came only
five months before the last of May
1899, and the six next preceding
months covered nearly the entire pc
riod of the Spanish war Yet for
the IL months ending on that date
Cuba exported TO the United States
$1S,2S9.900 worth of sugar and tobac-
co, an increase over the same period
in the year before of $5,S00.000 The
United States has absorbed eleven
thirteenths of Cuba's exports.
The exports from the United States
to Cuba show a like encouraging in
crease. For the II months named
our exports of agricultural implements
were $31,692 against S7,S17 for the
corresponding period of the preceding
year; of cotton cloths, 1851 ,497 against
$12.16S; of wearing apparel, sos, ,294
against S11,715 of builders hardware,
1924, 100 against S56,961.
Day by day Americans are becoming
more closely allied with the CONNER
cial interests of the island. The latest
big transaction of which | have heard
is the purchase of the islets of La
Cruza and La Ramon, off the coast of
the province of Puerto Principe by an
American syndicate. The price paid is
said to be S1.000.000.
General A. G. Greenwood, who was
on the staff of General Robert e. Lee
during the civil war. has been the
active representative of the American
capitalists. Before returning to New
York the other day, he said:
La Cruza and La Ramon. We are sat
isfied that there are immense quanti-
ties of iron there, but we also have
reason to believe that there are hidden
there the vast treasures taken from
Panama when that city was the rich
est in the Americas This is no Cap
tain Kidd yarn. Historical records
show that the treasures of Panama
We're taken to La CruZa and La Ramon,
and with them were taken the captive
women and girls. Our titles are being
perfected, and just as soon as this is
accomplished | am of the impression
that something will be done that will
arouse worldwide interest"
Speaking OF present conditions In
Cuba, General Greenwood said:
Matters in Cuba are generally quiet
Just now. something really remarkable
in the history of the island. Like
Mic;lwber. the people here are waiting
for something to turn up. But it
would be idle to say that the people
are not dissatisfied, but that dissatis-
faction is the result of lack of knowl-
edge of what may transpire. Some
favor an Independent government, out
many want annexation to the United
States"
General Greenwood thinks that a
plebiscite would be "a good means of
determining what shall be done with
Cuba. but expresses the opinion that
it would not be wise 10 give the
Cubans free rein Just at present. This
opinion is shared by all Americans
who have investments here.
rf'ETER RICHARDS.