Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-06
CONDITIONS IN CUBA
AN INTERESTING REPORT BY CON.
SUI GENERAL STEINHART.
Trade Increasing, Sanitation Maintain
ed and Latest Crops Exceed the
Previous One.

and industries of Cuba in 1904 is contained
in a report made by United States Consul
General Steinhart at Havana to the Secre-
tary of State. He says that comparison
of the imports for five years with the ex-
ports for same period shows the healthy
and prosperous condition of the country.
When full returns come in it will appear,
he says, that the imports from January l
to June 80 1904 exceed those of the same
period OF the year 1903 by STOOO,OO0; of
which the United States furnished over ST.,
100000. or about 43 per cent, an increase
OF little over 1 per cent. which may be
due to the reciprocity treaty existing be-
tween the two countries or to the general
increase in imports due to the prosperity or
the country.
THE life of the reciprocity treaty is still
too short he says, ito speak intelligently
as to the benefits derived by the United
States. but there is reason to believe that
with a little more assistance through diff
ferential duties on a few articles (such as
rice, paper, shoes, hardware, glassware and
earthenware) the increase of trade between
the United States and Cuba will show be-
yond a doubt the wisdom of the policy,
provided the application thereof is made by
means of sufficiently wide concessions.
Healthful Conditions.
The consul general attributes 1.-THE ex-
tremely healthful condition of Cuba to
the efforts of the local sanitary officers and
says that the thousands from the United
States who have visited Cuba will agree
with him that the climate of the island
is pleasant throughout the year. while the
dry conditions prevailing during the So
called winter months make that season par
ticularly delightful.
The more important causes of death dur
ing the past year have been tuberculosis,
diseases of the circulatory system. enteritis
(under two years., bronchitis and pneumo-
mia of 1nnin piti nd NAL nj
a single case of yellow fever has developed
on the island during the past year or the
two preceding years, nor. with single
exceptions has there been any smallpox.
Malaria, too, has lost the prominent place
formerly occupied among the causes of
death, and is evidence of the constant and
thorough prosecution of sanitary work. The
annual death rate per LOCO inhabitants is
1851
Sanitary Precautions.
1.-THE cleanliness ineulcated and enforced
during the period Of military intervention"
says Mr.. Steinhart rs faithfully adhered
to, and street brooms and disinfection spray
pumps have attacked the enemy and par
alyzed his activity. Educated Cubans have
become convinced that by proper sanitation
alone vigorously and intelligently enforced,
the island can be made safe to inhabit
as any part of our own country, and in that
knowledge lies the assurance that their
weight of influence and means will be
tHIuNI lIlU the SCdle TOT SOUu government
and the continued enforcement of sanitary
measures. The question of paving and sew
ering the city of Havana will undoubtedly
receive the attention of the authorities
ly in 1893, as at present sewers exist only
in few principal streets. These sewers
were built at intervals without any general
plan of drainage"
Increased Sugar Crop.
The consul general says that the princi-
pal crop this year. as for some years past,
has been sugar. of which the production
has been e0,S17 tons in excess of that of
last year Prices obtained for sugar this
year exceeded those of last year, and the
value of the crop is consequently consider
ably more, and can safely be stated as
SJO,c00.000.
The tobacco crop in the past year was
good in both quality and quantity. and
may be safely valued at over S3O,OO0,O0O
The exports during 1903 were valued at
$26,046,431. against so 400 O9O in the previ-
GUS year. The total exports of leaf tobacco
amounted TO 40,9II,9i6 pounds, valued at
S13 245, 1871, "a 1854 o pounds of which,
valued at $9,931 ,So2 went to the United
States, and 103O6,574 pounds, valued at
S1,921, 019, to Germany, the next largest
purchaser.
The pineapple crop during the fiscal year
ended June 20. 1904, amounted in value to
about 81 10000 The fruit found ready
sale in the United States and at higher
prices than in preceding years owing to
the fact that large shipments are now
made direct from Habana to Chicago in
stead of being all made, as heretofore 20
New York. which naturally resulted in
overlooking the market in that city, and
thus reduced the value of the fruit
decided increase in the shipment of
fruits other than pineapples, and in vege-
tables. is noted in 1904 The Cuban orange
is a delicious fruit, and lines and lemons
are of good quality and abundant Toma-
toes, sweet potatoes onions peppers egg
pant; okra, etc, were also up to expecta-
ton in quality and quantity and brought
good prices. The value of the crop of
fruits exclusive of pineapples, and vege-
tables amounted to 81 712 800