The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1900-12-08
s. NEW RAILROAD FOR CUBA.
Van Horne on the Plan. of the Eng
IfNh gyudI~a4e


HAVANA, Dec s.-Sir William Var
Horne has arrived here from Santiago and
Santa Clara. He says he expected 20 find
Cuba fertile. but what he mad seen of the
island had really surpassed his expecta-
tions. He added that his syndicate viii
acquire strip of land from San Luis, San
tiago. TO Santa Clara, a distance of So;
miles. by the process of separate pur-
chases. On this strip. which viii have a
minimum width of forty metres. the syn
dictate will build railroad.
Sir William expects that the work will
be finished IN eighteen months About
5,e0o workmen will be required, and some
CT these may be imported from Galicia,
Spain. Though he has no concession TO
build the line, he expects no opposition
from the local authorities. who. with the
people, showed themselves delighted with
the prospect Of having a railroad. There
viii be no heavy grading or tunnels. Ties
viii be imported for the track until 1t
reaches the wooded country, which will
supply all the ties and other timbe. neees-
sery
SIR William declared that tn, lie q part
OF scheme 10 develop the richest tract
OF country in the world The syndicate will
build branch lines, establish Industries, en-
courage settlers, and supply leoor for the
cultivation OF sugar cane and other prod
ucts- Nc subsidy viii be asked for Sir
William said he did not kEtnE when the
line would pay, but the raj Obvious
" would be beneficial 10 the country and
people.
Sir william asked that denial be made
OF statement which had appeared in
New York newspapers to the effect that
he had had a meeting with Philadelphia
capitalist for the purpose OF devising
plans 10 acquire all the industries Of
Cuba He declared that no such meet
ing had taken place
The "Dia 10 de la Marina prints an
extract from the "'RepubRca which con-
trasts the duties paid in the United States
on Porto Rioan and Cuban sugars, and
which says that a reduction OF % per cent
in the present duty on Cugan sugar would
make a difference OF S750GO to an eS-
tate producing $4,000 sacks. The Re
publica' suggests that an appeal be made
to Washington for a reduction of the
duty
The "Diario de la Marina says that no
such appeal should be made. bus TO she
constitutional convention. as Secretary
Root, IN his report had said he hoped
which initiate against Cuba-s prosperity,
namely. the lack of assurance as 20 the
stability of the future Government and the
uncertainty regarding market for Cuban
products
The paper says the problem rests with
the convention to give the island a Gov
eminent which will satisfy the United
States and also to determine the reIa-
tons to exist between Cuba and the
United States in such way as to satisfy
the latter.
Many of the local papers comment on
the message of President Mckinley to the
Congress. The "Diarfo" and the '.Nuev0
Pals express disappointment with IT.
They say it was not sufficiently clear re-
gaTding the future of Cuba. The "D;ario
de la Marina" declares that the revolu
tionists Will be disappointed to learn that
the American troops In Cuba instead OF
being entirely withdrawn on the establish
ment of & stable Government, are only TO
be reduced in number.
The Discussion" and @PatrIa" are well
satisfied with the message. They gay it
contains nothing against the joint resola-
ton Of the Congress. They raise no cb-
lection to the Cuban constitution Icing
submitted to the American Congress for
its approval, though they had never pre-
viously admitted that the constitution
would have to be examined by the Con
gress.
OF late their argument has been that
the convention was called to draw up and
also approve a constitution, and that the
approval thereof would prove the work
to be final, and not a mere consultation
as argued by Senior Sanguily.
Bishop Sbaretti has published a letter
in the press saying that in the meetings
which have been held TO protest against
the lawful Bishop of the diocese priests
have been present, and as such acts on
the part of the clergy constitute crime
against the properly constituted eccle-
siaStical authority ne orders that in the
future any priest who is present at such
a meeting, whether he takes an active
part in it or not, is ipse facto suspended
alb ordine otficio ct beneficio.