Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-04
THE CUBAN CONGRESS
SEVENTH SESSION CONVENED AT
HAVANA YESTERDAY.
President Palma's Message
Financial Showing Of the Nation
Schools Fall Behind.

The seventh session of the Cuban con-
gress began at Havana yesterday. Presi-
dent Paina's message congratulated the
country on the continuance of order and on
the fact that there have been no untoward
incidents beyond those ordinarily dealt with
by the courts. notwithstanding the great
movement to Cuba of workers in the sugar
and other industries, the tranquility in the
country is absolute, not only on account or
the confidence established by the rurales
but because of the respect of the people for
the law and institutions OF, the government
The message is optimistic in spirit, the
only decided complaint being with reference
to the diminution of the attendance in the
public schools. which in the last four
months of last year was % 400 below the
corresponding year of 1903 President
Palma characterizes this. as an alarming
deficiency, and he suggests the adoption of
strong measures looking toward securing
more general attendance He urges a gen.
eral reformation of local school boards
The Isle Of Pines Treaty.
Referring to the adjournment of the
United States Senate without confirming
the Isle of Pines treaty, he says: Never
theless, knowing as we all know the essen
TALLY moral character of the American
people and the unexampled disinterested-
Cuba could be constituted an Independent
nation, there is no reason for doubling that
during the coming Congress that high body,
inspired always by the spirit of justice, will
approve the treaty, thus fulfilling the hon
est purpose of the illustrious citizen who
exercises the duties of first magistrate of
that great republic
The message outlines the Increasingly fine
financial status of the government. The
total amount received from the sale of
army loan bonds was $3l $4,000, of which
$l3555,0 900 has been paid to veterans, the
difficulties of proper verification, etc, pre-
venting faster payment. The value of i'm
ports in 1904 was $50 $40 900, and exports
$S991S,GD0. an increase in imports of S15-
10000 and in exports of 81, 492, 600 over
1903 President Palma states that the in
crease in importations from the United
States shows mutually beneficial results of
reciprocity, and adds:
Trade With the United States.
while, in 1903. the United States sold
Cuba 400 per cent of all her imports in
1904, she sold her 42.5 IF cent thereof In
1904 the United States bought S3.7 per cent
of Cuba's exports, making the gain in
Cuba's exports to the United States S14,-
400 900. The same year Cuba's exports else
where decreased by - .600080. The treasury
surplus is now s11,O0O000 The financial
condition is mostly satisfactory
The mail and telegraph service have been
much extended. There are now $50 post
offices, and fifty more ON trains and boats,
one post Office to each 5000 Inhabitants.
and III post offices officially transact
money order business. Cuba, the President
says, is endeavoring to arrange postal trea-
ties permitting of the sending of tobacco
packages by parcels post and for conces-
sions for other merchandise.
Death and Birth Statistics.
The annual death rate In 1904 of 1890 per
1000 is declared to be very satisfactory,
compared with other countries. The birth
rate was BAL per 1000. The fact that no
contagious diseases have developed and the
declarations of the American Public Health
Association, the message says. did much to
annul the effects of sensational statements
published in New York with reference to
Cuba's sanitary condition. The president
recommends greater concentrations in the
sanitary and charity departments under the
control of the central authorities.
herence to the Brussels sugar convention,
President Palma recommends the lowering of
the nominal customs duties sugars SO
that Great Britain, notwithstanding the
Brussels convention, can buy Cuban sugar,
whether Cuba adheres to the Brussels con-
vention or not.
The message reports mach progress In
road improvements, commends the progress
of the agricultural experimental station
under American professors, and says the
artillery corps has not been completed on
account Of the lack of officers.