The Washington times., 1902-08-26
SOME INTERESTING DATA
Lack of Laborers and Oxen Checks the
Growth OF Tobacco Business Soil
Peculiarly Adapted to the Culture of
Coffee-Decline Attributed to Storms.

It itIpll 10 VI toitNidl IhNNl'SNs 90
it shows the immense amount OF trade
between Cuba and this country. The
report says;
THE total value of merchandise, ex-
elusive of gold and silver, imported into
! Cuba during American occupation, was
$225. 437 1875. The exports for this period,
exclusive of gold and silver amounted
in the aggregate to $3.50, sos C67, being
nearly s45 0OO, coo less than The importa-
tion.
"Of the imports the United States fur
| nished 43 per cent, United Kingdom 10,
Spain Is. France Az. and Germany 4
per cent; the importations from all
| Europe were Al per cent OF the whole
/ amount, nearly equaliRg the United
! States. In the matter OF exports. the
/ United States taking 10 per cent, United
/ Kingdom 9, Germany T. France 2Ia,
| Spain per cent; all Europe receiving
but % per cent. which consisted prin-
| cipally of tobacco and cigars, sponges.
| honey, hides. textile fbers. wax and
rum; practically all OF the sugar ex
ported went to the United States.
Balance of Trade.
THE balance OF trade between Cuba
and the United States during American
occupation has been decidedly in favcr
of the former, although not to so great
an extent as in previous years. During
this period Cuba, while importing from
all countries s45, ,00O, 900 worth more than
she sold. yet exported more than s37,-
600. 600 worth to the United States in
excess of her purchases from the latter.
1t is to be noted, however. that the ratio
of imports from the United States is
materially greater than it was during
the Spanish regime 1t might be re-
marked that the trade of the United
States has not kept pace in any OF the
Latin American countries with its won
derful strides in other parts OF the
world.
More than So per cent of Cuban ex
ports during American control consist
ed OF agricultural products, and a per
cent OF imports consisted of food and
animals. Breadstuffs and other provis-
ions, horses and mules in large guam
titles were brought from the United
States, while cattle were procured from
Mexico. Central America, and South
America.
THE comparison of the volume OF
trade shows that the imports for the
calendar year 1901, which amounted to
S66. .5S3. 973, were $4,000 less than for the
preceding period, and 5000. 0OO less than !
no
amounting to $6327s $50, exceeded those !
of 1900 by $14. 200, 600. and of those of !
1899 by s1S 200. 600, the imports showing |
but little change and the exports rapid |
Iy increasing. The decrease in imports !
affected chiefly the United States. !
United Kingdom, France, and Spain. |
Germany making gains. The importa- |
tions from South America. consisting for |
the most part of food products and ami |
mails, were largely increased in 1901. |
The gain in exports to the United States |
in 1901 over 1900 was approximately |
5000, 900. from which 1t appears that |
there was a decrease of about $500. 900 |
in value OF exports to other countries /
in 1901 as compared with 1900.
Heavy Deal in Corn.
Receipts of corn from the United |
states are dSSullillS tOh5lutI dDlt
nitude. the values for 1899 1900, and 1901
being in round numbers $3.50, 900. S607 900,
and $780, 900, respectively. For each of
these years more than $2,OOO,OCO worth
of wheat -four was imported from the
United States. The purchase OF btu
minous coal from the United States in
1901 amounted to Sl.12i,532; this trade
DrOmiseS TO increase IarPp,y
Spain has almost monopoly of the
sales of candles and soap and candy and
which are imported.
Cuba imports annually more than 81
500 900 worth of vegetables. about half
of which. excepting onions and canned
goods from Spain, come from the United
States. For 1901 the impo-tations of
wine amounted to more than 81 700 600.
OF which Spain sent 9S per cent.
The United States has a good showing
in exports Of wood and its manufactures
to Cuba. though in one article, that of
hogsheads and barrels, Spain is a close
second.
From climatic reasons Cuba is not ex-
pected to be heavy purchaser OF wool
and wooden goods, yet in 1901 she ex-
pended the considerable sum of 500 goo
in this way.
Sugar constituted practically one
half of the exports for 1901, and while it
may continue TO be the leading product.
there are other interests which are
and which may become of vital
Importance to the future prosperity of
the islsnd. BY far the greatest of these
is tobacco, of which, in its different
forms, there was exported in 1901 more
han so, 600 900 worth.
Sugar production in Cuba first began
to assume important proportions about
the year 1870, when the crop amounted
10 2O0 900 tons. This year is also noted
as being the first in which records of the
beet sugar industry appeared.
The expectation OF sugar for the calen-
lar year 1899 was, in round numbers.
y 900 tons; in 1900. 2S7. 900 tons. and in
1901, 500, 900 tons, and during the entire
period of American occupation more
han l, 400 coo tons.
Two great checks TO tobacco raising n
'ecent years have been lack of labor
srs and of oxen. Since American occupa-
ion there has been a heavy importa-
ion of cattle. and the tobacco industry
las already revived. The production,
@hile heavy and important now. is light
with what it will become II
remain normal.
The value OF raw and manufactured to-