The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-04-03
CUBAN CROPS FALLING OFF.
AID NEEDED FOR TOBACCO AND
SUGAR PLANTERS.
President Palma Suggests, I'm Message
to Congress, That Immigration He
Encouraged and That Mortgage Banks
lie Established-Isle OF Pines Treaty.
Special Gable Despatch 10 THE SUN.

r speetai Gable Despatch 10 THE SUN.
HAVANA, AprA 1.-The Congress met
to-day. In his message President Palma
referred to the outbreaks during the recent
elections and to the brutal attack on the
rural guard station at Guanabaooa' He
said 1t was to be hoped that those behind
the scenes who were attempting to encour-
age disturbances would cease their absurd
anti-patriotio endeavors.
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 rs per cent.
The price of sugar was low, and this would
necessitate State assistance for agrlcul-
turists in all possible ways.
He suggested in this connection that
immigration be assisted. Last year a.
219 immigrants arrived in Cuba, and
with State assistance this number coula
be largely increased. Mortgage banks
should also be established lhis 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 establish
ment Of the Cuban monetary system on a
gold basis, which would end the huctuation
In the rate Of exchange.
During the last half Of 1905 the revenues
amounted to SIC, 1858, 1871, and the expendi-
lures SlO,e55 .Oe7.
During 1905 imports were se4 SOC $685.
not including money, against ST., OPS ,Sl6 IN
1904. The reports were divided abou as
follows: From the United States, s42,t3l,s SS;
from Germany, $5,7s4, 7s4; from SPAIN
S1o, sec, 400; from England, $ls,i2i 6s); from
other countries. s12, 522, COO.
The exports in 1905 we're valued at sllo,-
ie7, 4s4, against $50, O12, 75e in 1904. OF the
exports the United States took sos, $50 .476;
Germany, So, 9O5, 900. and England IS, 1876 $50.
The available balance In the Treasury ia
e5,744,74l.
Treating Of yellow fever, the President
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 sanitary purposes had COM
PEELED the Executive to take the necessary
amounts in order to meet special obliga-
tions In sanitary matters. 1t had been
the intention Of the Marine Hospital Service
Of the United States to quarantine against
Cuba, but thanks to the efforts of the Gov
eminent, made through Minister Quesada
at Washington, this had been averted until
yellow fever actually exists. Owing to
the frequent communication between New
Orleans and infected ports in Central
America it would not be strange II yellow
fever should r%eappear, The Government
had therefore sent a physician to New
Orleans to examine the situation.
Referring to the Isle Of Pines question,
Senior Palma informed the Congress that
the treaty on that subject is under discus
sion 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 effects OF
some of the military orders, which modified
the law, in-advisedly in 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 religions.