The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-04-28
TRADE WITH CUBA
NEARS $6OO,OOO,OOO
Figures This Year Are Elk.
pected to Be Much in EX-
cess of That Sum.
nv LEopoLDo DOLBY arrange.

Consul Generdl o. Cubd In Ecs1 Fork.
Especially .critten for the Latin American
Section Of THE SUN.
Notable recognition of the Republic
Of Cuba for it's achievement In amassing
new record figures In its foreign trade
with the United States last year was
paid by the National Foreign Trade
Council of the United States at its
last annual session. The reasons for
this unusual recognition for the Cuban
Government was prompted by two con-
ditions, first. the attitude shown by
President Menocal OF Cuba IN Cuba
war alliance and cooperation with the
United States, and second because.
though one OF the smallest Latin
American nations, Cuba during the past
five years has assumed the lead among
all the peoples of the Western Henri
sphere in her foreign trade with the
United States. surprising by great and
increasing margins such countries as
Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Mexico.
According to recent statistics compiled
by the Cuban Government. the volume
OF trade between Cuba and the United
States reached a value of nearly $780,
600. 900 last year. This compares with
only 10000. 900 in 1918. the year pre-
ceding the war. For 1919 the figures
will be much higher. II is interesting
TO note that 1917 the United States
took rs per cent. of the exports of Cuba
and supplied rs per cent of her i'm
ports The value OF sugar mill ma
chineTy alone sent from the United
States TO Cuba during 1917 was *ll,-
900, 900, an increase OF 100000 over
the preceding year.
Sugar. tobacco. bananas. cocoa, tropi-
cal fruits. iron ore, manganese and
cattle hides were the principal articles
exported from Cuba, while the United
States sent to the island such spm-
luodities as meats, lard. flour. corn. eggs
cheese, condensed milk, temperate zone
fruits, coal and all classes of manu-
PICTURES. Cotton goods alone bought
from the United States by Cuba totalled
SlO,000.00O and automobiles and parts
made 100000 more. Railway sup
plies worth 100000 were imported,
and in the latter two items the 1919
figures will show a tremendous increase.
Boots and shoes, structural iron and
Fteel pipes and fittings paper and print
ing supplies and machinery, typewriters.
sewing machines. agricultural imple-
ments and many other commodities
were sent from United states ports 10
Havana by the millions Of dollars
worth.
In addition 20 the close political and
economic ties which bind the two neigh
boring republics. the cooperation dis
played by President Menocal with
United States Government agencies. both
oricial ard unofficial. has done much
10 raise Cuba's foreign trade position to
such emnence. The Cuban Government
maintains close relations at all times
with the Bureau OF Foreign and Do
nestle Commerce in Washington, the
Bureau OF Mines. the United States Geo
logical Survey, the United States Food
Administration and such unofficial but
efficient agencies as the National For
clgn Trade Council Development OF
Cuba's immense natural resources has
only begun. but under such fortunate
auspices as to insure for all times the
position or leadership which she holds
among Latin American countries.