The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-01-30
HAVANA HAS A HISTORY.

Cuba's Capital, Now Beleaguered by L.
surgents, Is an Ancient City.
Havana, as the capital, metropolis
and chief seaport OF Cuba, is one of the
best known cities in the American hem
isphere. Its splendid harbor, its COM
mercIal importance. its climate and the
tinge of romance that ever attaches to
its people have made its fame world
wide. Havana has about 100000 in
habitants. 1t was founded but % years
after the discovery of Columbus, and
has always been the commercial en-
poriun of the Antilles. 1t is situated
on a beautiful bay, whose entrance
from the Gulf of Mexico is by narrow
estuary between two prominent head
lands. The entrance is guarded on the
east by the famous MORO castle, 3nd
on the west by the Castle De Ia Punta,
both built at the close OF the 10th CEN
fury.
Havana, in its topography, architec-
ture and every other physical attribute.
Is essentially Spanish. The houses are
identical with the architecture of the
south of Spain. They have heavy walls
of stone, low ceilings, broad verandas
and are built upon narrow streets,
which, though well paved, are unclean-
" and unpleas"nt To the eye. Most OF
the public institutions of Havana are
of ancient date. The great cathedral,
so we'll known, was begun in 1874. Here
lie, or are said 10 lic-tne claim being
denied - the remains Of Columbus,
transferred thither from Santo Do
mingo in January. 1856. There are Is
other churches, nine of which belong
TO the monastic orders. Two of these
churches date from the 10Th century.
The other public edifces of note are the
palace of the captain general. situated
on Piazza de Armas; the TacOn theater,
one Of the largest theaters in the world,
equal, in fact, 70 the famous Scala of
Milan; the various provincial Offices.
the university and the great prison, q
vast quadrangular structure, built in
1771. There are also a number Of fine
hospitals.
Few cities have such beautiful parks
and driveways as Havana. The great
Plaza de Armas is the chief. II COM
prises four parks. IN the center of
which is a statue OF Ferdinand VII.
Then there is the Alameda de Paula,
bordering on the bay, and the Campo
de Marie, used asa drill ground for the
military. This is IN enormous park.
1t has four .handSnusa na+As ---naI
respectively Colon, Cortez. Pizarro and
Tacon- The Paseo de Tacon is a magnifi-
cent drive with double rows of trees. It
has numerous columns and statues,
among the latter one Of Charles Ill,
ranking among the finest works OF art
in America.
The commerce OF Havana is only sur
passed in the new world by that OF
New York. Two-thirds OF the products
Of Cuba find outlet through Havana
The exports OF sugar alone are annual
~ about 10000. 600 pounds Havana
was founded in 1918 by Diego de Velas-
quez, the conqueror OF the islaoS. 1t
was frst called San Christobal &c Ia
Eabana. IN honor OF Columbus. but
gradually the prefix was dropped
Havana has been frequently attacked
from the sea. Drake tried 70 take il IL
1855, but failed. In 1862 British feet
under Admiral Pocock bombarvied the
city ond compelled II 20 capitulate, but
it was restored 70 the Spanjard the
next year by the treaty ot Paris.-St.
Louis Globe-DeDocrat