The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-05-02
CUBAN CROPS FALLING OFF
Aid Needed For Tobacco and Sugar
Planters.
THE ISLANDS CONGRESS MEETS

President Paifnn SuSSoSIsJ In MessaGe'
That Immigration Be Encouraged
and That Mortgage Banks BE Es-
tablIshed-Isle of Pines Treaty-The
Republics Condition Told in Reports
Havana, Cuba.-The Congress met.
In his message President Palma lie.
ferred to the outbreaks during the re-
cent elections and to the brutal attack
OH the rural guard station at GUIANA
bacoa. He said it was to be hoped
that those behind the scenes who were
attempting to encourage disturbances
would cease their absurd anti-patriotic
endeayors.
Referring to agricultural matters he
said the sugar crop on March 1 was
POS, 1888 tons smaller than the crop of
1905 on the corresponding date. The
tobacco crop had suffered a decrease
of twenty-five per cent. The price OF
sugar was low, and this would neces'
state State assistance for agricultur-
lists in all possible ways.
LIZ SUSSC0tCu IA LILO hAhte
immigration be assisted. Last year
54,219 immigrants arrived in Cuba, and
with State assistance this number
could be largely increased. Mortgage
banks should also be established. This
would tend to end the constant sale of
land to foreigners, owing to the fact
that the native owners have no money
to cultivate their property.
Senior Palma added that he hoped
the reciprocity treaty with the United
States would be renewed on better
terms for both sides.
Referring to the monetary question
he said that the high value of Spanish
silver offers an opportunity for the es.
Establishment of the Cuban monetary
system on a gold basis, which would
end the %fuctuation in the rate of ex-
change.
During the last half of 1905 the rev
enues amounted to $16,3S3 ,131, and the
expenditures $1O,6 5 ,067.
During 1905 imports were S94,S06,-
G66, not including money, against ST.
OPS, 31G in 1904. The imports were di-
vided about as follows: From the Uni
ted States, $42,93 3d. 88; from Germany,
S5,7S4, 1874; from Spain, $~1O,3GG,4C9:
from England, S~13,424,63O; from other
countries, $12,522,000.
The exports in 1905 were valued at
S11O, 167, 484, against $S9,012,7 5G in
1901. Of the exports the United States
took 500, 530,475; Germany, $3,905,0 OO,
and England S., T95,350.
The available balance in the Treas.
ury is S., T44, TAI.
Treating of yellow fever, the Presi-
dent said the recent outbreak here
served to show the competence Of the
sanitary board, the fever having been
suppressed. The fact that Congress
had not voted the money asked for SAN
itary purposes had compelled the Ex-
ecutive to take the necessary amounts
in order to meet special obligations III
sanitary matters. 1t had been the IN
tention of the Marine Hospital Service
Of the United States to quarantine
against Cuba, but thanks to the efforts
of the Government, made through
Minister Quesada at Washington, this
had been averted until yellow fever &C.
tually exists. Owing to the frequent
communication between New Orleans
and infected ports in Central America
it would not be strange if yellow fever
should reappear. The Government had
therefore sent a physician to New Or-
leans to examine the situation.
Referring to the Isle Of Pines cues
ton, Senior Palma informed the Con-
gress that the treaty on that subject is
under discussion in the United States
Senate. The committee considering the
matter had made a favorable report,
and he believed the treaty would be
approved and ratified in view OF the
justice of Cuba's cause.
The President urged revision of the
civil code in order to rectify the ef-
fects of some of the military orders,
which modified the law, ill-advisedly III
certain cases.
He recommended the establishment
of civil marriages as the only legal
form, leaving the contracting parties
liberty to fulfil the rites of their rellg'
ions.