New-York tribune., 1899-05-05
AID FOR CUBAN FARMERS.
DISTRIBUTION OF AGRICULTURAL M
PIGMENTS PROPOSED.
IMPETUS TO WORK IN CENTRAL PROVINCES
CORRECTION TO EARLY CLOSING
OF sToREs-TAX ON SIGNS.
IBY CABLE TO THE TRrBuyE.l

tBY CABLE TO THE TRIBuNEI
Havana, May 4.-General Wilson, who is maxi
Ing visit of inspection through the added ter
rtory now under his command, is reported to
have made an important announcement in his
interview yesterday at Cienfuegos with Gen
eral Jose Miguel Gomez. the Civil Governor OF
that city. This was that the military govern
ment proposed to distribute agricultural utensils
to those who needed them to resume the tillage
Of the fields, and that the value Of the tools
thus advanced could be made good subse-
quently by payments to village and other local
governing boards Interest on advances was
to he charged at the rate of : per cent. Local
commissions were to be chosen to conduct the
distribution OF the utensils. Such a scheme
carried through in a practical way. would un-
doubtedy do much to stimulate the revival or
agriculture in the rich central provinces OK
the island. In Santa Clara Province sugar ana
tobacco growing did not wholly cease at any
time during the insurrection or during the war
with the United States and this section already
shows greater recuperaton than any other por-
tion Of Cuba.
Reports from the tobacco-growng district
around Villa Clara indicate a much larger crop
for this year than for last the yield being now
estimated at about fifty thousand tercios. The
quality is excellent in spite of unusual ea- 7
rains.
The owners Of coasting vessels here have
been put TO some emba barrassment by orders from
Secretary Alger forbidding them to engage here
after in commerce with foreign ports. Some OF
the lines have contracts for transporting cat
tie mules and other live stock from Mexico ana
the United States and will be forced to abandon
this part Of their business at serious loss
EFFORT TO ANNUL THE ORDER
On the ground that the Importation Of oxen
and mules should be especially encouraged at
this juncture. In order to extend work on the
plantations an appeal for the temporary vaca-
ton OF the Secretary's order will probably be
made to Washington.
One of the English newspapers here. "The Ha
vana Herald" Joins the Spanish press to-day in
questioning the expediency of the early closing
regulations put in force this week by the city
authorities. THE Herald" argues that much
public inconvenience has already been caused
by the early weekday closing edict. inasmuch
as a large part Of Havana's population has been
accustomed to make necessary small purchases
up to 10 and II O'Clock at night. AS most of the
small shopkeepers live in the shops they occupy,
forced barring Of the front doors at o'clock
is also declared an unnecessary hardship. Many
protests are being prepared by the smaller mer-
startling experiment.
An agitation is being begun also for the aboli-
tion Of the sign tax each shop sign being levied
on at so much letter This tax farmed
out for a lump sum under the Spanish occupa-
ton, and the methods Of collecting the mpost
are extremely irregular and annoying. Tie
privilege does not expire until June l. but any
sign put up by an American engaging in bus-
ness here must bear the full years tax from
June l. 1898 Naturally many complaints are
made and an urgent effort is on foot TO have
such an obnoxious monopoly abrogated without
further ceremony.
CESPEDES CHOSEN LEADER.
La Lucha's" English edition announces to-
day with sensational headlines that General
Gomez has chosen Colonel Carlos Manuel Ces-
pedes the future active leader Of the military
party in Cuban politics. Colonel Cespedes is the
son Of the President OF the first Cuban Republic.
and served In the insurrection General Ca
lixto Garca's staff. He Is native OF Santiago
Province. and Is considered of the abler
young men In the revolutionary movement He
is at present a member Of the committee assist
ing General Gomez in winding up the affairs OF
the nsurgent military organization.
Colonel Cespedes La Lucha" says with pro-
phetic insight quite unaccountable to ordinary
observers. is already practically nominated and
elected President Of the prospective Cuban Re-
public.
American political methods are apparently
coming rapidly into favor with Cuban students
of the art Of popular government.