SHIPPING AND COMMUNICATIONS — CURRENCY, «TC. 787
The principal export . and tobacco. In 1918, sugar was exported
to the value of 86, 656, 000/., and tobacco to the value of 9,209,500/. The principal imports in 1918 were foodstuff* to the value of 27, 579, 750/., tissues and manufactures, 10,025,500/., machinery, 9,210,000/., metals and metal manufactures, 4,736,2.30/., and chemicals, 4,677,5007.
The custom revenues in 1917-18 amounted to 7,897,800/., and in 1919 to 11,100,831/.
Total trade between Cuba and the United Kingdom (Board of Trade returns) for fire years . —
— 1916 1917 1918 19M
£.£,£. Imports from Cuba into U.K. . 13,061,977 17,770,637 2*2,519, Exports to Cubs from U.K. . '-', 058,610 2,012,667 1,964,736 1,983,027! 7,245,839
Shipping and Communications.
In 1919,89,436 vessels of 203,975,959 tons netentered and 88,789 resselsof 203,436,406 tons net cleared the ports of the Republic in the foreign trade. In the coastwise trade 14,684 vessels of 2,582,829 tons net entered, and 14,712 vessels of 2,584,211 tons net cleared. In 1919-20, 2,899 vessels cleared the port of Havana.
In Cuba there were, in 1919, 3,200 miles of railway — the United Rail- ways of Havana, 705 miles ; Cuba Railroad, 589 miles ; Cuban Central Rail- way, 389 miles, and Western Railway of Havana, 147 miles. The lines now connect the principal towns and seaports from Pinar del Rio in the west, to Santiaga de Cuba in the east. The larger sugar estates have private fines connecting them with the main lines. Several important railway ex- tensions are projected. The question of the nationalization of the railways is under consideration. There are 1,285 miles of cart roads open to traffic on April 1, 1919. There are (1915) 658 post offices, 226 telegraph offices, and nine wireless stations operated by the Government.
Currency and Banking.
On November 7, 1914, a law was published authorising a new coinage ssue in Cuba with a gold peso of 16718 grammes (1*5046 grammes fine) as the monetary unit. The gold coins are the 20, 10, 5, 4, 2 and 1 peso pieces ; the 20, 10 aud 5 pesos pieces are of the same weight and value as the corresponding United States gold coins. Silver is coined in pieces of 1 peso, 40 cents, 20 cents, and 10 cents, while nickel coins of 5, 2, and 1 cent pieces are also issued.
The coinage of gold is unlimited, but silver must not be minted to the vaiue of more than 12,000,000 pesos. The extent of the nickel coinage is to be determined by the National Executive. The United States coinage will still remain legal tender.
The total amount minted since coinage was first commenced is as foil gold, 5,200,000 dollars ; silver, 6,237,000 dollars ; and nickel, 648,120 dollars; making in all 12,085,130 dollars. The recoinage of Spanish and French gold amounted to 9,212,250 dollars. Cuba thus possesses a stock of national coin of all kind and denomination amounting to 21,297,380 dollars, of which 14,412,250 dollars is in gold.
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