New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-01-12
CUBAN TRADE REVIVING.
GRATIFYING SHOWING MADE BY THE
REVENUES OF THE ISLAND.
IBT TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

Washington. JAN 1.-THE people Of the United
States, as we'll those OF Cuba of course, feel a
deep and lively interest in the financial and COM
mercial prosperity of the latter country, which
under the reciprocity ARRANGEMENT effected under
the authority granted by the Tariff law of 1890 fur
nished a large and profitable market for American
exports. while the United States was heavy Gus
toner for Cuban exports That trade was seriously
injured. indeed, almost paralyzed by the termna-
ton of the reciprocity arrangement and the dis
turbances and war which followed Since the ter
mination of the between the United States and
Spain and the reopening of the Cuban ports to
commerce trade has revived In the eleven months
ending with November go 1899, the exports to Cuba
from the United States amounted to SO 742.0 OO
against $S,742,0oO in the corresponding months Of
1888 and $S145,000 in 1897 while the exports from
Cuba to the United States increased from SIS 679 600
IN the first eleven months of the calendar 1897
and Sl6s56OCO in 1898 SIS 265OOO in 1899 1t is
known that the imports into Cuba from all coun-
tries for the calendar year 1899 will reach in the
neighborhood of $4,000 OOO of which more than $4O
OO0OD will have been furnished by the United States
This will exceed 90 per cent of the total imports
being an increase of more than 10 per cent
previous years.
Another and most gratifying feature of the sItua-
tion is the increase of Cuban revenues from
toms in the last year under the regime,
compared with those while the island under
the sovereignty of Spain. The provisional tariff
established by executive authority became operative
on January l. 1892 and the total receipts from
december receipts being estimated) amounted to
about S4,0000O0, while the receipts from internal
revenue and miscellaneous sources December
celpts being esttmated) in the last six months of
the calendar year amounted TO about 81, 100000
making the aggregate revenues for the year some
SIoU0'OU The customs receipts amounted to 81 Co.,
OOO more than the estimate made by Commissioner
Forter at the time the tariff went into operation,
Out at That time there was actually basis
winch to make an estimate. Spanish returns were
< w n o1AL
We're much higher under Spain than under the ex-
listing tariff. the amount of revenue collected and
properly accounted for considerably less
another gratifying fact is that the average rate
OF duty under the existing tariff is lower by about
per cent than was estimated by Commissioner
Porter when he framed it. The estimated average
equ5 E al vaIorem rate was estimated by him
OF dutlabe goods than anticipated a year ago
is altogether probabe Il tRa 1ar eer 70 9s5
turns ior the whole year by commodities shall have
found advisab1e and vii b [aees ol GuIy wiz pe
II II is true that the average existing rate wheat
nour and other breadstuffs amounts to- say SO per
cent or more ad valorem while the average rate on
wines and spirituous and malt liquors amounts to
an al Yaorem equivalent of only so per cent, the
Other examples which might be cited viii appear
and furnish basis for future action These re-
turns should also show the cost OF collecting the
compilation and publication will be awaited with
1ager lnIeIesI by legislators and others who
Cuban trade and finances, wei as in the sub
lect OF public expenditures and administration in
the island respecting which only a limited amount
or of1cial information has yet been furnished. 1t
is hoped and expected that the full and classified
returns of imports and Of duties from customs for
piled by February l.
Taking everything into consideration-the dis
turbed business and trade conditions at the end of
period of insurrecton and war, the lack of any
trustworthy official data relating to those condi-
lions anterior to the insurrecton, and the uncer-
tainty that existed as to the future when he framed
the provisional tariff-COmmissioner Porter has
earned high praise by his work, and is be n
graduated on the fact that whatever errors may
have been found in his estimates of probable
nue. have turned out to be the right side.