The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-09-21
Inland In Importing Great Quantities
Of Goods, but Europe Is Getting
the Bulk OF the Business.
THE COUNTRY is DEVELOPING
COTTON GROWING AND CATTLE RAILS
ING MAY BE FOLLOWED.
Building OF Cuban Railway Has
Opened I'D Vast Territory-InAux
Of Capital Is Expected Soon.
Special to the indianapolis Journal.

Special TO the indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, Sept 2o-Millions of
dollars are spent annually IN the struggle
for European trade, while Cuba, which
lies almost at our door. daily market for
our products and manufactures, is over
looked United States Consul General +.
steinhart stationed at Havana, has re-
Gently submitted to the Department Of
Commerce and Labor an exhaustive re-
port on the island. he goes into all her
resources. mineral. agricultural and indus
trial There is not at present sufficient in
formation on which to form an exact opin-
Ion or to make an accurate estimate. Be-
fore the Cuban revolution the mines were
probably worked and produced gold. silver.
iron, copper, manganese, lead, asphalt, pc
troleum. naphtha. graphite, amianthus,
zinc. mercury and coal.
The public forests of Cuba cover an
area OF l,226, asa acres, and the wood pro-
duced is valuable for fuel and for tan
ming purposes.
The great plantations and the smaller
farms are being rapidly reconstructed.
Most of the big sugar plantations have
been furnished with the latest and best
machinery for the production of sugar.
and railroads have been constructed to IA
cilitate the transportation of the product.
The old sugar-cane colonies have not been
re-established. however. owing to the lack
Of pecuniary means OF the owners on
whose lands they formerly existed; and as
there are no agricultural banks in Cuba
10 supply the deficiency, the planting of
new cane lands since the war has been
limited.
Cattle raising, which was formerly one
OF the principal industries of the island,
IS being encouraged by the government.
In 1902, 267. PSI head OF cattle were imported,
and out of this number 1892 were
slaughtered. 1t is therefore evident that
the importations greatly exceed the nees
OF home consumption, and with its natural
increase. and the numerous tracts of land
suitable for cattle raising. ii may not be
long before Cuba will have turned the
tables on the United States in this branch
of trade.
Sixty per cent of the tobacco crop for
lSvz was shipped TO the United States. The
total value OF the crop $97, 904, 200, and
this year 1t Is likely 10 be as great in guam
uty and far better in quality
OF the 40,e9o.Oso gallons of IDblasses pro-
duced in Cuba during 1902 l2,00o,0o0 gallons
OF the first quality were shipped to Phila-
deiphia.
The cultivation of cotton is being seri-
ously considered and an American expert
has recently made a report on the SUITABLE
tty Of the land for the successful rails
ing of cotton. He recommends the culti-
walton OF the Sea Island cotton, but states
that he found wild cotton growing in the
province Of Pima del Rio. Plants of Sea
Island cotton four months old are from
four to six feet in height, and are weighed
down with all the bolls the stalks can
hold, averaging eighty TO stalk. This
expert estimates 500 mature bolls a year
to plant which means about 5000 pounds
of seed cotton to the acre He believes
invested in cotton raising in Cuba.
A statement OF the imports and exports
of the island shows that while 1t imported
from the United states IN ls95 s2soes $50
during the same year goods TO the amount
of s4y, i9S,5S7. Cuba carries a larger
volume of trade with the United States
than with any European country; but dur
ing the past two years her importations
from this country have decreased, while
those from Germany, France and Spain
exports TO this country have increased dur
ing the same period. while her exports to
France and Germany have decreased.
While the demand of the domestic trade
In the United Sta. } during the present
era of prosperity may be responsible for
the fact that the manufacturers here over
look the market which Cuba offers, yet
this cannot be considered as an adequate
reason for the loss OF trade to the United
States.
Large shipments of hardware, both from
England and Germany, are constantly be-
ing made 10 Cuba. and inquiry as to the
cause for such shipments brings out the
fact that many Of our manufacturers re-
fuse to devote a portion of their output
for export: and Cuban buyers, finding that
they are unable TO get their orders filed
IL Ie. eo1 tote -
European market
IL at some time in the near future our
home market shall have been supplied and
countries To find outlet for their pro
auctions difficulty will be experienced in
divertipg the trade of Cuba from estab-
lished channels and the undertaking will be
found beth expensive and doubtful of sue.
cess. IL Is TO be hoped that the American
manufacturer will anticipate this situation
and take prompt steps to remedy the fall
ing OF in trade between the United States
and Cuba
The establishment of a United States mer
chants exchange at Havana is earnestl,
advised A suitable place devoted to IN,
exhibition or goods manufactured in tn,
United States would be an inexpensive ant
most efficient aid TO our manufacturers
If the pending treaties between the Unites
States and Cuba are ratified a large infiu,
of capital Is expected by the Cubans. I'm
proyements will continue to be made. II
this connection IL is impossible to avoi
reference TO the Cuban Railway. The con
structfOn or this railway. which was com
menced in November. 1900. and finished II
November, l9o2, has opened UP terrtor
which includes 10 per cent of the area o
the island This territory contains about J
per cent. OF the total population. Betwee
six and seven thousand men were employs
by the railway company and the cost o
construction up TO date has been SO 500 OOs
Naturally, considerable additional improve
ment will have to be made Villages an
towns will spring up along the line and
great market for goods OF American man
no viii he and
secured IL manufacturers will become I'm
terested and take advantage OF the oppor
tuIities offered
The fruit trade OF the little republic Ia
been shamefuily neglected by Americans
Almost the only outlet for the perishabl
fruit OF the West Indies Is the Unite
states and Jamaica has amassed million
by exporting fruit to this country Step
should be taken 10 promote this branc
of commerce between Cuba and the Unite
States
A serious check has been put on the es
portation OF hemp from this country
Austria Hungary by the action OF the Hun
sarisn minister of agriculture in AFFORD
ing state aid TO the production of fax an
hemp In Hungary. Exercising the pows
vested In him by the Legislature, ne
granting subsidies under the followin
stipulations and requirements:
Societies, manufacturers or corporation
who erect a hemp and fax mill OF larg
capacity. and who win bind themselves
take certain quantity OF raw materi;
from the small farmers at a fixed pric
may obtain a loan Of 80 per cent OF III
hn4lfd fr0 nrtd ant - ~