New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-20

Postal e2S s2s -
Interior taxes zoos Sc
Other taxes. .--.-.--..--'''''''-' 5s54 SO
Consular fees ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 16295S So
S3orreconeI Courts. .........-.... 1o.ss2 -
Accounts pending -'Iil Il s72 no5 "a
s4o1O542 81
Total 81. 4T0 IL
cA 10, Nav .................. 50. 699,o7l 50
The most important question that conlrol's
Cuba to-day is the payment Of the army u iiO-
eration-those who fought in the last reoell'oii
Some unrest has been manifested in the eastern
mart Of the island over the delay. The coInnls-
sion revising the army lists has not yet com
nleted its work General Maxine Gomez, VINO
is chief of the commission, said when ne was
here two weeks ago to the writer that the hsts
would be ready il June Since this statement
was made the time has been EXTENDED. f1Iteeh
or twenty million dollars will be required To
pay the veterans for their services ana as d
matter of fact the completion of the work py
the commission will not necessarily bring money
with it. It must come from the S3o'o'oovo loan
that is to be negotiated this fall.
It is most improbable however, that the dlsap-
point1nent of the soldiers at not receiving their
nav will he marked by any disorder or violence
General Gomez who knows the Cuban solder
better than any man in Cuba, said before sail
ing for Havana
The Cubans have fought many years to at
tain their independence and will never take any
action which might endanger the institutions
which they helped create. They are a parent
people too and would rather wait indei1nltely
than have the government sacrifice ITSELF But
the army will be paid this year
PROVISION OF THE LOAN BILL
As passed by Congress, the loan bill provides
for ) per cent bonds, to be sold at not less than
90 per cent. Although several syndicates Oh
American bankers are trying to obtain the loan'
known New
banker who was recently in Cuba. that the
Cuban Government cannot realize 30 per cent
on its first issue of bonds.
In this connection the wisdom OF the Platt
amendment again demonstrates ITSELF one OF
its clauses provides that before borrowing
money Cuba must establish a sinking funo
fro7, which the interest is to be paid This is
guarantee that Cuba will never burden herseH
with debt without the means to meet the cbll-
cations This has been one of the drawbacks
to the progress of some of the South and Central
American republics. An internal revenue law
has been enacted by the Cuban Congress for
tbe nurpose of establishing the sinking fund,
but has not vet become operative because of OBJ
bottoms that some of the industries are too
heavily taxed.
The distribution Of SO, 100000 will be of great
benefit to the people, and materially help the
reconstruction Of the country Much OF tnls
money viii be invested in the cattle raising IN
dustry which was once an important one Ill
Cuba. A special tariff on cattle TO encourage
this industry has been enacted. Out of the pro-
posed $50 600 900 loan Cuba will either redeem
the bonds issued by the Junta in New-York
during the last instruction, refund them,
hut the bonds of the ten years will not
be redeemed.
THE GREAT GROWTH OF TRADE
Commercially, Cuba has also improved This
may not be directly credited to the able admin
istration of affairs by the Palma government
hut the increased activity in the productive in
dustres of the country argues well for the con-
fdence which the government enjoys. Much
new capital is invested in Cuba. and most Of it
IS American capital Especially in the sugar
ard fruit industries have there been large in
vestments Thousands of acres of land have
been bought
The tobacco crop has not been satisfactory
because of unfayorable weather Since the to-
bacco has been hanging in the barns there has
not been sufficient moisture to insure perfect
curing Ordinarily the total crop of tobacco
grown in Cuba each year is from 100000 10
100000 bales of which the Vuelta Abajo district
contributes about 10000 bales the Partidos
section about 10000 bales, while the district of
San Juan de los Remedies contributes the bulk
OF the remainder. The Vuelta Abajo crop this
year may turn out to be as large as usual, but
those merchants who have recently been In Cuba
say that II is a washed out crop. The Partidos
crop is not much better. In the Remedies dis
trict all except about 100000 bales will have to
be allowed to rot in the fields TO fertilize the
next crop.
The sugar crop. however has been the second
largest the history of the island. This years
crop is estimated at 100000 tons. The largest
was In 1894, the year before the outbreak of
the revolution. when it amounted to 951 900
tons In January there were eighty "centrals'
grinding cane against seventy-four last year.
II all the plantations were in operation this year
that yielded the phenomenal crop of 1894 a new
record would have been made. Many Of the
plantations destroyed at the time of the re-
belon have not resumed work since Last
year many Of the plantations failed to yield even