The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-05-01
CUBA'S PROMISE OF WEALTH
INTERESTING STATEMENT OF THE
ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF WAR.
The Future of the Island Under Stable
Government Promises Wonderful
Development of Wealth Tho Bone.
mintstrntiOn Already Apparent.

Washington April 30.--Acting Secre-
tary of War Meikeljohn made public
to-day very interesting report upon
the commercial and industrial condi-
tions in Cuba, showing that the future
of the island under stable government
promises a wonderful development OF
wealth. The beneficial effects Of an
economical administration of the ISL
and's affairs such as is now being given
under the direction Of the war depart
ment are already apparent. n A good
deal of the capital which was removed
or which went into hiding prior to and
during the Spanish war has returned,
and new capital is being attracted BY
the safer and more stable conditions.
The increase in the business of the GUS
tom house demonstrates better than
anything else the revival of general
trade. Tobacco, which will continue to
be one of the most important crops Of
the island, Is already being cultivated
in sections of the island where it has
never been grown hitherto. The crop,
estimated at the beginning of the pres-'
ent year at 100000 tons, based upon ac-
tual production at the end Of March, 1t
is estimated will reach 100000 tons
this despite the lack of facilities, the
confusion and hurry with which the
crops were planted and the fact that
much of the machinery was totally or
partially destroyed.
The scarcity of domestic oxen, due to
the wholesale slaughter of stock by both
Cubans and Spaniards for food purposes
during the war, is greatly retarding the
operation of sugar estates During
March 1880 bales of leaf tobacco, 8,4e0
boxes of cigars, $4,000 packages OF ct-
garettes and 1900 kilos Of cut tobacco
were exported from Havana. The ex-
portation of various kinds of merchan-
disc which do not pay duty, principally
sugar, apples, palms, preserved fruits,
sponges, etc, reached 4,091,00O kilos
from Havana. The total collections dur
ing March were $S96,925, a collection ex-
ceeded only twice in Havana during the
past ten years 1895 and 1898.
The apparently large collections last
year, which reached in the equivalent
of American money, 1921, ,12S, ID account
ed for by the fact that the duties on s
large quantities Of war supplies and
materials shipped into Havana under
the title of "Libramentos'' were paid by
check and figured in the collections az
money which went into the treasury,
but which as a matter OF fact never
represented money at all. In consider
ng the large importations into Havana
last month it must be borne in mind
also that the duty under the American
.egime is at least so per cent. lower
han the Spanish rate, showing that
hone of the revenues are being seques-
.ered as under the old Spanish rule. For
he first three months Of American rule
he total receipts for all the ports OF
Cuba were as follows:
January, $1,O61,22S; February, $685.
is; March, $1,261 ,S45 while the cost Of
collection for these months were ex-
,eedingly low as follows: January,
:01 per cent; February, 4.6S per cent;
March, 3.43 per cent. The money trans
erred to the customs fund during
hese three months Of American rule to
he other administrative departments
otal 1,968, 400 divided mainly as fol-
ows: $4,000 for barracks and quar-
ers;" $942925 for sanitation" ..268,-
80 for rural police and administra-
ion;" $197,9 1884 for public works, ports
nd harbors; 100000 for charities and
ospitals, and $351,653 for civil govern
nent. During March 200 vessels Of 213,-
65 tons entered the port Of Havana. OF
hese 107 were American, 80 English, 26
panish and 35 of other countries. OF
he 4349 passengers landed 1924 came
rom the United States
HOrseshOers' Strike.