The Washington times., 1919-03-12
CUBA LOSES MUCH
by u. S. PROHIBITION

HAVANA, Cuba, March 12.-Pro-
hibition in the United States. will
mean a loss of over 100000 this
year to the republic of Cuba, gus
tanned almost entirely by the sugar
interests, because there will be no
outlet for Cuban molasses which has
been used almost exclusively for
making alcohol
The loss will be a serious one, for
most of the sugar mills have no way
10 get rid of their molasses except
to let it run out on the ground. as
they have no means of storing it, aid
they would not know what to do with
it If they could. 1t is said that mo-
Iasses can be used for stock feed, and
it is probable that in the future some
such arrangement will be made. but
this year it will be practically total
loss. 3
The molasses is the residue that
remains after every bit of the sugar
has been taken from the cane juice.
Heretofore a regular fleet Of tank
ships has visited the various Cuban
ports for the sole purpose Of carry
ing the molasses to the distilleries
in the United States, these distiller-
les having many tank cars on the
railroads of Cuba to carry the prod
uct to the ports.
MOIasses Crop Loss.
The loss of the molasses crop this
year to the Cuban sugar mill owners
is not entirety due to the prohibition
laws in the United States. however,
for last year, before it was known
that prohibition stood much chance
of becoming adopted, the American
distillers were disposed to buy Cuba's
molasses output as they had been
doing for years.
A part of the Cuban press, however,
insisted that the price paid for the
molasses was not high enough. while
another part of the press insisted
that there was graft in allowing mo-
lasses to be shipped north when so
much alcohol was needed in Cuba for
industrial purposes. The govern
ment was urged by these newspapers
to put an embargo on molasses, and
while it did not do so the distillers
delayed their customary purchases OF
molasses to see what the Cuban gov
eminent intended to do Then one
State after another in the United
States approved the prohibition
amendment, and the dfstillers were
millions ahead for having failed to
contract in advance for the mo-
lasses.
Firgt Taken ~ joke.
Talk of prohibition in Cuba which
first was regarded very much ~
Ike, is now beginning TO be regarded
18th more seriousness. When 1t was
irst suggested it was thought that
there would be no support for the pro-
Iibition bill introduced into the lower
house Of Congress, but supporters are
springing up, and, while there Is 10
organized movement in favor Of 1t as
yet, this may develop at any time.
There Is an unofficial report here
hat the United States has notified
cuba that a prohibition bill cannot be
PASSED because 1t would interfere with
he loan law, which guarantees Speyer
Brothers, of New York, the payment
II $4,000 900 borrowed by the Cuban
government, a number OF years ago,
the loan being paid by q stamp tax on
alcoholic liquors. Every liquor dealer
interviewed by the Times correspon-
'eht said that Washington had in
,ormed the Cuban government that It
would not permit a prohibition law to
be enacted until this loan was paid.
md the time for the redemption Uf
the bonds is many years away.