The times., 1899-02-19
SANTIAGO SCENES.
Odd Contrasts Between Americans
and Natives.

From the Chicago Record)
Santiago de Cuba, jan 16.-Santiago is
possibly the quaintest of all cities. and it
is with feelings of regret that the thought
ful realize how soon all the old time hon
ored customs, manners, and styles are TO
fade before the unrelenting progress OF
enterprising people who are no respecters
of traditions antiquated customs. The
leisurely -strolling senorita will be COM
PEELED 10 break her graceful gait to dodge
street car. The IRON barred windows
through which the dark haired Cubans look
their prettest must give way TO glass
window panes and modern shutters and
shades What will all these people think
when siX-story department store is
started somewhere in the heart of the
city?
Most of the inhabitants OF Santiago we're
born and raised here and were never 80
miles away from here in their lives. Their
parents and grandparents, even, never saw
any other city 0r town The same man
ners styles. and customs that were insti-
tuted when Santiago was founded. about
500 yeas ago. still prevail. The inhabi-
tants are not accustomed 10 as many events
in a lifetime as the average American eX-
periences in a day.
The Americans are naturally the Won
der and amaZement of the Santiago natives.
The entire nervous system of the city is
daily DelnS shocked new sights anu the
new events since America took posses
sion. The people here are accustomed 10
a very formal way of speech and action.
They walk as if every step were studied.
and the more enlightened talk with the
utmost preciseness. The free-and-easy-
going way OF the visitors is astounding to
them. The American comes out with his
hearty laugh. not caring who is around.
and the dainty senoritas look at one an
other in wonderment.
An American girl is the most interest
ing of all sights 10 them. They watch her
in silent anna cement from the time she ap
pears in view until she has turned the cor
ner They seem TO think the American
woman the most wonderful of all earthly
objects. The Santiago ladies. no matter
how hot the day, always dress in black
when they appear on the Plaza de Arma at
Ia tarde' for the usual evenings prone
made The other evening an American girl
was there in bloodrsd costume, made
OF some kind of thin. flowing gauze mate
rial. She promenaded with young United
! States officers, and the rising of the sun
at midnight would not have attracted more
attention. But the thing which threw the
whole city into a commotion was the ap-
pearance of young American girl on the
plaza riding wheel and wearing white
costume with a short skirt. Such thing
as a girls riding wheel vas never be-
fore dreamed of in Santiago. This fair
American cyclist was doubtless out for the
purpose of having little fun and she sue
ceeded in astounding the natives With an
event they would talk about for life
time under usual conditions.
No less amazed was Santiago society
when Chicago lady appeared at fash
ionable reception in full evening dress. 1t
was a square neck decollete gown. San
tiago women had seen such things in pic
lures but they did not believe the illus
trations true 10 life until the Chicago belle
stood before them as the living exemplar.