New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-05
CUBANS IN MIMIC BATTLE MET.
PAINS PROTECTING SPECTACLE THIS
YEAR FAR EXCEEDS THAT OF LAST
cEAcON-SOMI, SpEcrAJ. FEATURES


For the summer season OF 1895 Pain presented -
the lovers Of fireworks displays a reproduction OF
scenes from the war between China and Japan "a
his open-air theatre at Manhattan Beach, and the
production much q success that II was
doubted whether in the present state Of the pyro-
technic It could be excelled. This year all
doubt that point has been BET at rest, for Pain
has dipped into prophecy. instead OF using
temporaneous history for his subject and the
troubles OF Cuba the basis OF display WHOM
far exceeds in beauty and spectacular effect any
which have preceded it. The old familiar seats are
there the lake retains Its calm, undsturbed. PLACID
expanse OF more less muddy water, the set pieces
for the display occupy their old-time relative 20
sitiors, but the scenery, instead OF showing .
Chinese village and moving iionclads in the haroor
OF Wei-Hei-Wei. is a good imitation OF the CUBAN
seaport OF Santiago. or. as the people OF the Ever
Faithful Isle call 1t, st. Jago de Cuba cocoanut
palm trees grow close 10 the shore. in obedience TO
the law Of nature, which makes them attain their
best growth within the sound Of the surf. and me
hills Of the island. which slope away in the DIS
lance toward Sheepshead Bay, are dotted with the
matched cottages OF the people who do not live In
houses with thick walls. There Is stls-
picion Of a sugar plantation. and an ntimaton that
tobacco also grows somewhere near the city. but AL
these minor points forgotten when the band
begins to play, and the dark-eyed senoritas come
out on the stage with their castanets and their
gaudy and gauzy costumes and begin the eolero
and the fandango and the cachuca. and several
other dances.
Bzets Carmen mot CalvD takes active part
In these proceedings and shows her devotion TO mo
Cuban cause by entangling in the meshes OF ner
cleaning eyes and ebon tresses sentry VINO is sup
posed to keep watch and ward over the interests
of the crown In and around the city, but moro par
ttcuary the gate OF the fort While a lot OF oy'
pay between the sentry and Carmen is gong on
there IS a flavor OF Yankee Doodle given 10 tae
scene by the arrest and sentencing 10 death OF an
10 in fhsan nj
captain of party OF buejackes, who arrive on the
scene with an American flag. which he places be-
tween the file OF soldiers drawn up ready 70 shoot
and the whom they are aching 10 XIII. Inc
DR. soner Is taken away to the castle. ard the SPAN
ish commander and his forces retire as gracefully
as the circumstances Will permit Their departure
Is the signal for Carmen 10 get In her fine work.
which she does BY inducing the sentry TO lay aside
his gum which is Immediately s"1pet' BY CUBAN.
and when the sentry attempts 70 put his arms
around his fair ens.aver his arms are p'nioned De-
hind his back a gag Is thrust into his mouth and
with a bang and boom the signal for tho capture
OF the fort Is gwen Out come the troops, away
over the boardwalk on the spectators side OK ths
lake 6ashcs a body OF cavalrymen. shouting "Vivs
Cuba IAbre" a steam launch armed with a six
FOUNDER comes up and let's ny three or four times
cane hut begins blazing the rattle and roar OF
muskery make an awful din. explosions behind
the walls of the fort show that the Cubans have
DESTROYED tho powder magazines. and the force OK
the explosions tears great holes In the stone walls
while tho Spanish troops make tracks for the Nils
and the Cubans cheer themselves hoarse as the
yellow and red nag OF Spain comes down from the
forts flagstaff and In It's place rises the lone s1sS
OF Cuba
Almost before the fires In the ruined city are
extneuished the hiss and bursting Of rockets and
the sharp decorations OF bombs announce that me
fireworks are being set or The aerial display u u
the usual variety. but the set pieces demand par.
ticular attention az effects and cornoinAe
tions OF coors have been introduced ami the clear
cut lines OF parti-oolored hight, while beautiful 70
look at are 50 vivid that II takes good eyes 70
look al them without finching .
have been omitted this season. with one exceptiofs
the divers who do their swing and drop dives mo
the lake aHS ae sh Se vs iros sv walker how
ever. more than makes up for the absence OF 'nS
others On wire stretched from ena 70 s s.S ~ ~
the water. ne goes back and forth at gait OF ts
own, occasionally varying It By keeping step to the
walker and the one which always brings round
Of applause Is his daring trip 20 me centre o. ry
wire WITH the ends ,r q his ss OF ARE Sos and e
smoke At the centre OF his wire Is large sausss
mines OF golden IRE and when he is in the mio h,s
OF tho framework torch which ne carrie, :" ~
en shs sr Wire NTH H,s own private display Of
fiery beauty almost smothere In the more ~ IN On
showers Of golden rain which arise around nun od
all sides. How he stands the enoke AIN, ~ 49,
continuance OF the eruption OF which ne Is the CEN on
81 OCT ts snd Ss =: this scenes s" xr
have every reason to cons,a.vlai a, ef New Of tho
the s rIm ays psoyea o those seek ~
lveaings pleasure down BY the sounding w.