New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-27
HAVANA AND MATANZAS.
OBJECTIVE AND POSSIBLE LANDING PLACE
IN THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN
icy TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

Washington May 25-A military expedition
against the Spaniards in Cuba might he landed at
Matanzas as General Grant once proposed \
railroad connects Matanzas with Havana, and a so
with Batabano. GuanaJay and other towns Re
specting the city Of Matanzas. the compilation Of
consular reports recently published by the State
Department says:
The city is beautifully situated Matanzas Bay.
Havana 1t is divided into three parts by rivers:
the principal business part occupying the central
The chief warehouses. disieres and sugar re-
nneries are on the south of the River San Juan,
population is 1885,. and that OF Ma'anzas Provin e
Nl;ooo according 10 the 1891 census The prinSina.
manufacture OF guava Jelly. There are railroad.
& ana m ssops sugar ana rom m re
1885, 10 $SssSs4s7: The climate is fine. and Matan-
With proper drainage and sanitary arrangements
yellow fever and malaria would be almost un-
known.
OF course. all eyes are turned toward Havana, as
the main objective point o. the invasion of Cuba.
In respec: this city the compilation referred to
says:
Havana. the capital city Of the province Of The
same and OF tho island Of Cuba. is situated
the west side OF the Bay OF Havana 0ormery
called Carenas). a peninsula of level land of
limestone formation. in latitude % degrees min
u,es Is seconds north and longitude IS degrees %
minutes IS seconds west. and is on the narrowest
government and the Captsincy-General. Superior
Court OF Havana (Audieic!a). General Direction OF
Finance, naval station arsenal. observatory. do
cese OF the bishopria and the residence of all the
administrative officers Of the Island civil. military
maritime judicial and economic. 1t is over 3.5"
miles from Cadz, 20 miles from New-York and
% miles from Key West. Its strategic position a,
the mouth Of the Gulf OF Mexico has aply given 1t
the name OF the Key OF the Gulf. and a symbolic
kev Ia eyprl n OF The
trance 10 the harbor. guarded side by the
MORO and tho frowning heights OF La Cabana
For. and the other by the Punta and Reina
batteries, Is narrow. but EXPANDS into n Wide and
deep harbor. where thousand ships can smelly
ride. Havana IL. was strongly fortified place
surrounded by imposing for:fcations. such as the
Catana. Moro Castle. Castillo del Principe. For;
Atares. Pun,a- Reina Battery. and For; No. :.
The streets are generally in the older part
Of the city. but outside the walls are many wide
avenues. The city also contains many notable
buildings. ss the Cathedral. formerly Jesu. con
mortal discoverer OF America: the Palace Of the
sSG Of re Iab
etc Havana has also Its university. institute.
Of painting and sculpture. asylums civil military
and private hospitals. several theatres ihc princi-
humber Of clubs political social. etc: societies u
instruction and recreation. large markets system
CT nagnifcen, waterworks. an extensive and beau
tiful cemetery sea baths. etc.
Along the coast are summer places Of resort con-
nccted with the city by lines ot horse and steam
cars There many churches and convcnts a
commemorative chapel fronts the Palace close TO q
large cc!ba tree. under which Diego Velasquez the
founder OF the city. celebrated In 1919 There
arc numerous cigar and cigarette factories. tan
ne-ies manufactures OF swcetmeats rum. candles
gas. beer. carriages. soar. perfumery giycerine,
etc. The population OF Havana. from the last
Official estimate Is about 2o0.eD It's principal
ports the United States consist OF tobacco fruit
%aS and sugar sn Ha and ars
ported from the United States The climate Is gen
orally warm and humid. and marked by two cea rly
defined seasons--thc wet and dry. the former ranc-
ing from June - December. September ard October
being considered the hurricane months. The trade
winds blow generally with great regularity ana the
heat of the day Is cooled by evening breezes