New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-22
THE UNIVERSITY OF HAVANA,
THE HISTORY AND PRESENT CONDITION
OF THE ONLY INSTITUTION OF HIGH
Err LEARNING IN THE ANTILLES.
Havana, January Is.

OF Havana The ink and pen with which the
report was written were borrowed. on Deem
Der l. when the winter semester began. DIT Leo
pold Berrel the rector. found s. o3 IN the
treasury That amount. 1t is needless 10 say
vas not increased during the last month OF
Spanish sovereignty. The professors and IN
structors have the official certificates OF their
services during the last fourteen months
stamped with Spain's promise to pay. 4heS
take keen interest in the Philippine indemnify
and wonder whether the United States couiu
not have inserted stipulation that the sum
should be used Ia settling arrearages oil salary
in Cuba
The only university in the Antilles, the Ha-
vana University has kept the torch OF learning
lighted for one hundred and fifty years even Il
it has not blazed an intellectual lluihlha'ion
throughout the West Indies IT Is older as the
rector says. than most Of the American uhiNeI-
sities part Of the walls have stood since they
werq. constructed for the convent OF the DO
minican monks. The exterior offers sight OF
crumbling gray stones. like so many churches
Of Havana The sloping tiled roofs are more
modern for they have been replaced two or
three times during the present century. The
interior courts are large as in most edifces In
the tropics They shut out the noises OF the
streets for the old convent is in the heart or
tho city The classrooms and Llecture-kalls are
plain 10 the degree Of primitive simplicity. The
benches would not be out Of place in log
cabin college in one OF the Western Territories
The University Of Havana was a part OF the
Spanish Government. Its history was iiuu
chapter OF higher education under difficulties
and Indifference Pope Innocent XIII author
lied the establishment OF university in the
West Indies with power to confer academic
degrees That was in 1921. Seven years later
the Crown gave its approval, and the Royal
and Pontifcal University was created The in
struction for which provision was made inciud-
ed the arts. theology, the sacred writings
mathematics philosophy. civil law and medl-
cine Twenty-one chairs or professorships were
established The encouragement given to learn
ing was not great and the religious orders were
not always in harmony with the authorities. so
during long periods higher education languished.
In 1872 he Government took full! control OF
the University or better said re-established H..
From that time on a series Of royal DEGREES
marks its course. sometimes forward and some
times backward. The institution was secular
lied and the Government named a rector VINO
haoane the administrative head Of the Uni
versitv The faculty had the privilege Of elect
ing is dean. an honorary officer without actual
made systematic, and separate faculties we're
organized As il exists to-day. the University has
courses in philosophy and letters. law. science.
medicine and pharmacy The rector is DIT. Leo
pold Berriel. professor in the law school. who
was chosen by the voice OF the faculty few
weeks ago The vice-rector, DR.. Jose Caroonell'
also belongs to the law faculty. The secretary
/ is Dr Juan de la Maria. who has filled his pres
I ne
part OF its professors during the instruction
Some OF them who sympathzed with 1t went
/ into voluntary exile. others were banished and
their chairs were declared vacant by the Gov
eminent When Captain General Blanco came
AS the representative Of autonomy. and a con-
: ciliatory policy was adopted. the professors in
exile we're invited TO return. Few Of them &C
cepted the invitation.
/ For the present it IS possible that the Univer-
sity will continue on lines similar to those al
/ ready laid down The fees from students are
entirely inadequate for its support. The Span
sh authorities were never liberal but they al
ways provided something out OF the Govern
| rnent funds 1t is presumed that temporary pro-
vision for its needs will be made by the Amerl-
can authorities out Of the ordinary collections
Of taxes. Ultimately it will become the Cuban
instead Of the Royal University
Many distinguished cubans have studied and
taken their degrees within its walls. The
schools of law and Of medicine have been OF the
highest character. The future promises for
them a wider sphere, untrammelled by the con-
ditions which have prevailed during the last
half century. The lack Of the University at
this day Is Of two things. resources and stu
dents.
Affiliated with the University is the Provin-
cial Institute. 1t occupies an adjoining build
ing more modern than the old convent of San
Domingo. 1t is modest in its pretensions. yet
has some claims to respect The museums OF