While the tobacco crop of some portions of Cuba is unsurpassed, notably that of Vuelta Alajo and of Mayari, it is of excellent quality all over the island, the poorest of it being quite as good as that of Hayti. The entire crop is estimated at $10,000,000 annually. Yet, owing to the extortions of the government, which loaded it with restrictions and exactions of every description, the tobacco industry has always been an uncertain one. It is said that the tobacco growers, disgusted with their treatment, have always been in favor of the revolutionists. The mineral riches of the island have never been exploited to any considerable extent and yet it is known that they are by no means unimportant. Gold and silver exist. Some specimens of the finest gold have been obtained, but at an expense of time and labor that could not remunerate the parties engaged in the enterprise. There are copper mines near Santiago of large extent and very rich in ore. There are also several iron mines. Numerous deposits of manganese have been found in the Sierra Maestra range. As nearly all the manganese used in the United States comes from the Black Sea, it is thought that these mines will prove very valuable, when the conditions for operating them are more favorable. Bituminous coal is very abundant. Marble, jasper and slate are also to be found in many parts of the island. The trade of the United States with Cuba since 1891 is given as follows by the bureau of statistics, Treasury Department: Imports. Exports. 1891 $61,714,395 $12,224,888 1892 77,931,671 17,953,570 1893 78,706,506 24,157,698 1894 75,678,261 20,125,321 1895 52,871,259 12,807,661 1896 40,017,730 7,530,880 1897 18,406,815 8,259,776 The commerce of Spain with Cuba since 1891, the figures up to 1895 being taken from a compilation by the department of agriculture, and those for 1896 from a British foreign office report was: Imports from Exports to Cuba. Cuba. 1891 $7,193,173 $22,168,050 1892 9,570,399 28,046,636 1893 5,697,291 24,689,373 1894 7,265,120 22,592,943 1895 7,176,105 26,298,497 1896 4,257,360 26,145,800 The railways are insufficient and wretchedly managed, while the roads are in a deplorable condition, sometimes, in wet weather, being almost impassible. In regard to the future commercial prosperity of Cuba, Mr. Hyatt, who until recently was our consul at Santiago, gives the following opinion: