The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-12-27
MOYNELO AS CONSUL
NOTIFIED OF APPOINTMENT AS
CUBAN CONSUL HERE.
APPEALS FOR DIRECT TRADE.
ADVANTAGES OF STEAMSHIP LINE
TO HAVANA.

Statistical Information in Regard
to the United States Growing
Trade With Cuba-What the New
Treaty of Reciprocity Is Expected
to Accomplishments. MOyneIO's Ac-
ceptance of the Consular Appoint
ment Held in Allegiance.
Mr.. A. E. Moynelo received official
notification yesterday of his appoint
ment as consul of the Republic of Cuba
at Savannah. The news was transmit
ted to him in the form of a letter
from the Secretary of State of Cuba, to
the effect that President Palma had
made the appointment by decree July
IL, and that the Cuban Senate had
approved the selection Nov. 26.
To a Morning News reporter
Mr.. Moynelo said: Il am much
flattered with the compliment paid me
by the President and Senate Of the Re-
public of Cuba. AS yet 1 have not
made up my mind fully whether will
accept the appointment. 1 shall hold
the matter in allegiance for a few days,
when 1 shall make my decision known
to Washington"
Trade With Cuba.
When asked concerning direct trade
between Savannah and Cuban ports
Mr.. Moynelo said: THE advantages
Cuba offers will necessarily attract
to the island thousands of people seek
ing mild and healthy climate where
wealth will undoubtedly be the reward
for thrift and honest labor.
1T will be a question of few years
only when the population of Havana
Will reach million, and the increase
in population will be in the same pro-
portion on the whole island. The treaty
of reciprocity between the United
States and Cuba will open a great field
to American producers and manufac-
turers.
''The distance from Savannah ito
Havana" Mr.. Moynelo pointed out,
lis less than half that from New York
to Havana. 1t can be reached by
fast steamers in thirty-four to thirty
six hours. 1t takes fifty-six hours from
Savannah to Havana via Tampa,
Therefore, even the United States
mails could be carried by steamer, in
stead of by rail to Tampa and then to
Havana by steamer, via Key West. 1t
seems to me that the merchants of
Savannah should look into this matter
very carefully, for it is likely that
Charleston will establish a line If we
do not"
Merchants Interested.
"All classes of merchants are in
terested, the wholesale grocer, as we'll
as the dry goods, lumber and mill
men. Cuba is an importer of every ne
cessity of life except tobacco, sugar
and coffee.
while Cuba grows sea island cotton,
and will continue to grow it,
it will never be a competitor
no other section in the world grows
such cotton as do Georgia, South Caro-
lima and Florida"
Touching the rice industry, Mr.
Moynelo said: Rice is at a very low
ebb at the present time on the At
lantic coast, and it is my opinion that
if the new tariff on rice is such that
our American product can compete
with the rice from Java that a new
impetus Will De given TO LnlS INDUSTRY
on the Atlantic coast.
The people of Cuba are great rice
eaters and from the highest to the
lowest they use it daily for break
fast and dinner. 1t is well known
that since the Spanish American War
the amount of rice exported from
Louisiana to Porto Rico has amounted
to millions of dollars. Porto Rico has
a population of only $780, 900 while Cuba
has more than double that number
of people, therefore Cuba will consume
twice as much rice from this country
as does Porto Rico.
Gulf Lines Pay Well.
1.-THE ports of the Gulf, Mobile and
New Orleans have lines of steamers
to Havana, which are paying very
good dividends, and 1 don't see why
Savannah should not avail itself of
the opportunity.
I am glad" said Mr.. Moynelo. THAT
you have spoken to me in regard TO
this matter, because the merchants of
savannah may be stirred up. I have
often tried to get them interested in
an enterprise of this kind, and I hone
they will not lose the opportunity of
making connection by a line of steam
ers with Havana at an early date"
Mr.. Moynelo, if he accepts the ten
dered appointment, will be the ONLY
consul for the Island of Cuba. in
Georgia, and it is generally conceded
among business men that on account
OF his intimate knowledge Of Cuban
affalrs, and of the islands needs. that
ne Will be able to do much toward