Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1899-03-16
DELIGHTFUL CUBA
The Experience of a Norfolk Man
in Havana.
American Military nuIe ana Energy
Have put tho City ia Fine Conai-
tion-Absenco of Sunday Obscrv-
nncc-Chnnco For InycutIucnt.

Mr.. w. II. II. Trce is enthusiastic
over Cuba and the Cuhans. He has
just returned from n two weeks visit
with his daughter to the Pearl OF the
Antilles, where he confined his obser-
vations largely TO Havana, Matanzas
and the timber and farming lands in
the vicinity of these two cities.
Mr.. Trice thinks that Havana is a
great city. Many handsome buildings,
churches. hotels and theatres were
seen, and evidences OF wealth, refine
ment and culture came under his eye
in the public streets.
He says that Havana is as neat In
appearance as Norfolk. The absence of
sewerage is Il great disadvantage, but
military rule and American energy
have put the city in fine condition, ana
at this season it is q delightful place
to live In.
NO SUNDAY OBSERVANCE.
There is absolute disregard of any
form of Sunday observance. Mr.. Trice
says his experiences in Havana on Sun
day would make two columns of inter
esting newspaper reading. lie attend
ed the Cathedral three times Sunday
morning. At o'clock, by Invitation OF
a prominent Cuban. he went to a DO
litical meeting that was attended by
two thousand people. and listened TO
cuban oratory for two hours. At night
he took in n grand opera. which had
an audience OF 5000 people. He saw
as many handsome clothes and dia-
monds as would have come under his
observation in New York.
SAW CUBAN LIFE.
When this grand opera was over Mr..
Irlce won't out with the boys to paint
the town red. He saw Cuban life as
presented on the lower strata, roundlnl,
up the days enjoyments by attending
TWO variety theatres and turning in"
at the hotel at 3 o'clock in the morning
from a. M to a. m. are pretty long
hours for one painting, but Mr.. Trice
held up his end like n true American
rejecting credit upon old Norfolk
iivelicst town, producing the liveliest
men from Maine to Mexico.
Mr.. Trice says that on Sunday busi-
ness went on as usual: stores were
opened and the streets were filled with
market wagons and vendors of all man.
ner OF goods.
GOOD OPPORTUNITIES.
He thinks the opportunities for in
vestment are excellent Mr.. Whitney
and New York syndicate have all
wv ilIcS, anu VIII lay other
tracks. Mr. Plant, the railroad and no.
tel magnate of Florida, has bought a
piece of land in desirable location at
a cost OF $250,oOo, and will erect a mag
nihccnt hotel. Havana is destined to
become great winter resort for rich
Americans.
General Rosser is now In Cuba pick
ing up all the good tobacco land that
he can get at Il bargain.
When asked II he invested INV, wanna,
In Cuba. Mr.. Tricc said he had not
bought, but that he made an offer for
tract of land. which he thinks will
be accepted. He wrote n letter TO Ia
Vana to-day In regard 10 the matter.
Mt. Trice went to Matanzas fine
city. and thinks the lands In Northern
Cuba are the finest he had ever seen.
The war has destroyed agricultural
pursuits. En- route from Havana to the
Interior. Mr.. Trice noticed only three
farms upon which any work was being
done.
He thinks in six months there wa be
great business revival and deveHp-
mcnt In the island