New-York tribune., 1902-12-01
CUBAN SKIES CLEARING
NEW GOVERNMENT MAINTAINS ORDER
AND THE ISLANDS ECONOMIC
PROSPECTS IMPROVE.

Havana, Nov 80 (SpeciaD.-The most serio,.
phase of the general strike is considered over
The prompt and vigorous action OF Presiden-
Palma in ordering the Rural Guard into the ctv
is generally approved. and his hrmness has
made him many friends. Those who have
regarded him as man without decision and
weak have changed their opinions of President
Palma.
An effort has been made by persons M,
friendly to the Cuban Republic to make the
riots attending the strike appear as an uprising
against the present government. AS matter
of fact. they were nothing more than strika
rioCs. such occur in the United States and
every other country where strikes occur II q,
true that there are in Cuba many persons wbo
would like 10 see the return Of the American
authorities TO the island But another inter-
vention in the affairs of the island or annexa-
ton. for that matter. is not sought by native
Cubans. but by foreigners who think that If
would bring about an improvement IN the fnan-
cia condition of the country. and who hope TO
profit thereby. Their motives are entirely selfish
and the annexation movement can hope for lit
tie popular support.
NO FEAR FOR THE FUTURE.
1t is charged that the riots were fomented by
persons who are interested in intervention nv
the United States. hoping that they might be-
come serious enough to demand the interference
Of American troops. from which they believe
annexation would be but step. Those how
ever. who have carefully watched the career OF
the Cuban Republic since its Inauguration six
months ago. have no fear for the permanency
OF it's sovereignty or for its economic future
The budget for the coming year shows a sur
plus of S2.G10O0O which is considered an ex-
cellent showing for new country which has
been impoverished by years of war and carnage.
1t is true that business conditions are not at
present so satisfactory as they might be- but
the outlook is bright. The rise in the price Of
sugar and the coming abolition Of sugar boun-
ties in Europe are certain greatly to improve
things in Cuba
BUSINESS CIECLEs MORE OPTIMISTIC.
The following report has been especially pre-
pared for The Tribune by the local manager OF
Dun's Mercantile Agency. and gives an IN
biassed statement Of trade conditions:
The feeling in business c relies has been mora
optimistic during the last few weeks than for
a number of months. due to the advance in the
as to the condition Of the sugar beet crop in
Europe This better feeling has yet, had
no effect on business. which in most lines has
steadily declined. although jobbers Of drygoods
and notions report a slight Improvement in
sales during the last week or two. Volume
OF business for October and November in all
perioS OF last year or the two years preceding
1901. Collections have steadily fallen off. and
the amount Of outstanding debts az present is
larger than for many years past, possibly
greater than ever before IN the history Of the
island.
Failures reported from July 1 to October 81
number So with liabilities Of S2.13SO0O this
amount being greater than liabilities of the two
previous years. Failures for the year ending
witS i2s for the YEAR ending ID June 60 1867
II American methods Of collection were adopt
ed at least 80 per cent Of the merchants Of the
island would be forced To suspend
The Cuban Government has been nnisunder-
stood IN some quarters. There has never existed
any disposition the part Of the President or
his Cabinet to delay the ratification Of the reci-
procity treaty with the United States This can
be stated with authority. President Palma has
worked hard to bring about an early under
standing as to the terms on which the two coun-
tries could make treaty. He objected to GER
tain parts OF the treaty drafted at Washington
and sent to him for approval But the report
that the delay in returning the treaty from
Havana was to wait for better propositions
from Lionel Garden. minister Of Great Brllaln-
was entirely unfounded- No one is more anx-
TONS for closer trade relations with the United
States than President Palma. but he will insist
that Cuba shall not be made 70 suffer
GENERAL BLISS MISSION APPROVED
Since the arrival Of General Tasker Bliss as
special envoy TO negotiate treaty there naS
been a better feeling. General Bliss. because Oh
his knowledge OF Cuban affairs and rarine
Gained while chief of the customs service OF the
island is regarded as well fitted TO carry out the
,,onortan+ mission assigned him There IS also
n hertsr understanding generally now Up 70
a short time ago, it was generally believed tnat
The United States would force on CUba a treaty
which would seriously affect the revenues. NOW
hov,ayar since u has become known that the
government at Washington proposes that Cuo&
shan increase her duties European gooos
instead Of lowering her present tariffs on Anel-
,.a, ,v,norts there IS a better feeling Ths
will leave unimpaired the income OF the Gus
80, to,,~a a,d give the United States the pref
erance over other countries and the predohiF
nance IN the Cuban market II this is TO be the
basis of the commercial treaty. Cuoa "ou1-
probably be willing TO accept i reouct-o-
nar cent on her products in the United states
rrba 1oan of s35. 100000 which will have TO oe
negotiated for the payment Of the army WIZ
be deferred President Palma INFORMS ~
Tribune correspondent. until the question Oh 'Ao
treaty has been disposed Of II Is posSioI1 80.
that so5pNoOOO will be the amount asAeo ~
nv Cuba instead of the sum flrst naHleu-
reason for this is that the money is 70 Oe U1
solely to the payment OF the army - lol 1000
they will not require more tnan 1890 -.
This loan in view of the showing rlaue ~ ,,,
Cuban Republic in it's first annual ouNs9"
probably be secured at per cent Aheio
uany American financial institutions III N'
petition for the loan