Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1899-04-02
EXCURSIoNISTS ON THE PARIS
PLAYED FOR SUCKERS.
BOUGHT NEW WAR "RELIcs"
PAID FANCY PRICES FOR BRINE
SOAKED MACHETEs.
Hardly a Nachete Left In Santiago
After the Visit of the Paris
There Was Denrth of Hacks
and Hotel AccOmmo-
datiOns.


tCurrc S.ondence OF the Associated Press.)
SANTIAGO DE CUBA. March 25.-The
arrival of the American line steamer Paris,
Captain Frederick Watkins. with 400 tour
lists on board, all of whom wanted car
rieges and hotel accommodations and
wished to obtain relics and souvenirs of
the recent campaign in Cuba, created a
great stir and excitement, and proved a
little too much for the capabilities of the
city. There are only about thirty hacks
in the city. each OF which will accommo-
date four persons, and even with the help
of the government ambulances, which We're
freely supplied for the occasion, and the
few private turnouts in town it was i'm
possible for more Than 200 persons at a
time to be accommodated. As for the ho-
tells, they were full to overfiowing, and all
the tourists except those fortunate enough
10 have friends on shore were obliged to
sleep On board the ship.
Some persons, however, did reap a golden
harvest from the tourists. These were the
boys and men about the city who were
able to gather up anything that could, by
any strength of the imagination, be term
ed a relic of the war. New matchetes that
had recently arrived from the United States
but had been kept in salt water few days
in order 10 give them a coat of rust, were
sold at from s. to SIS each, according to the
ability of the seller as aromancer-and the
majority of them eXceiled in the art-and
many a wonderful story of the war was
narrated to the unsuspecting visitors.
1t Is estimated that 100 machetes were
sold to these aboard tine Paris, and to sup
ply the demand even the ,machetes used in
the kitchens for cutting meat were brought
into requisition and to-day it is very diff
cult to find machetes here for any use.
Guides to the battIefieids.'' many of
them young fellows who had. never been
there before, also reaped harvest
Taking II all around, the passengers of
the Paris thoroughly enjoyed themselves
A reception was given at the palace in
their honor, General Leonard Wood. the
military governor, and Mrs Wood recefy-
and giittering staff in full dress, the gov
ernor himself wearing the full dress uni
form of a major general.
On the following night dinner fol-
lowed by ball. was given on the steamer.
AZ the bali everybody with the slightest
claim to social distinction and recognition
was present. The ship was brilliantly il
luminated with Chinese lanterns, and was
otherwise gayly decorated. Music was fur
nisned by Cuban band and the band of
the Fifth United States infantry, and all
present agreed that the entertainment was
great success.
The only unfortunate incident of the trip
Of the Paris SO far has been the Illness Of
ex-Secretary Sherman, report of whose
aeath at Guantanamo caused deep sorrow
lowered to half mast and it was not
thought that the visit of the Paris would
be a pleasant one. When the Paris round
ed EiMorro, it was seen that her flag was
not half-masted. This was considered sur
prising and the tugs and launches which
were awaiting the arrival of the steamer
crowded around her, asking for informa-
ton as to the details of Mr.. Sherman's S
death. When 1t was announced that he
was not dead. the people from the shore
refused to believe the statement, it being
generally thought that the news of Mr.
Sherman's demise had been kept from the
other passengers. Shortly after, however
upon the issuance of a bulletin by Dr.
Gran, the ships doctor. as to the condi-
tion OF the eX-secretary, ii was realized
that a great mistake had been made