The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-08
A NEW RAILROAD FOR CUBA.
Van Horne on the Plans of the Eng
Iish Syndicate.


HAVANA, Dec. Sir William Van
Horne has arrived hero from Santiago and
Santa Clara. He says he expected to fnd
Cuba fertile, but what he had seen OF the
island had really surpassed his expecta-
lions. He added that his syndicate Will
acquire strip of land from San Luis, San
| liago to Santa Clara, a distance OF $50
ehases. On this strip, which will have
minimum width of forty metres, the syn
dictate will build a railroad.
Sir William expects that the work VIII
be finished in eighteen months. About
5000 workmen will be required, and some
| OF 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 railroad. There
will be no heavy grading or tunnels. Ties
| will be imported for the track until it
reaches the wooded country, which will
supply all the ties and other timber neces-
sary.
Sir William declared that the line is part
of country in the world The syndicate will
build branch lines, establish industries, en-
courage settlers, and supply labor for the
cultivation of sugar cane and other prod
| ucts No subsidy will be asked for. Sir
William said he did not know when the
line would pay. but the railroad obvious
ly would be beneficial to the country and
people
Sir William asked that denial be made
of ct. bod nd In
New York newspapers to the effect that
he had had meeting with Philadelphia
capitalist for the purpose of devising
plans to acquire all the industries of
Cuba. He declared that no such meet
ing had taken place.
The "Diarjo de la Marina" prints an
extract from the ''Republica which con-
trasts the duties paid in the United States
on Porto RiCan and Cuban sugars, and
which says that a reduction of % per cent
in the present duty on Cugan sugar would
make a difference of $4,000 to an es-
tate producing $4,000 sacks. The Re
publica" suggests that an appeal be made
to Washington for reduction of the
duty.
The "Diario de la Marina says that no
such appeal should be made. but to the
constitutional convention, as Secretary
Root, in his report. had said he hoped
the convention would solve the difficulties
which initiate against Cuba's prosperity,
namely, the lack of assurance as to 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 rala-
tons to exist between Cuba and the
United States in such a way as to satisfy
the latter. -
Many OF the local papers comment on
the message of President Mckinley to the
Congress. The "Diario'' and the "Nuevo
Pals express disappointment with it.
They say it was moi sufficiently clear re-
garding the future of Cuba. The "Diario
de la Marina" declares that the re, -
tionists will be disappointed to learn TT
the American troops In Cuba instead Of
being entirely withdrawn on the establish
ment of a stable Government, are only to
be reduced in number.
The Discussion and "Patria' are we'll
satisfied with the messag e. They gay 1t |
contains nothing against the joint resol;l- |
ton of the Congress They raise no cb- |
submitted to the American Congress for |
its approval. though they had never pre-
vfously 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 constitution and that the
approval thereof would prove the work
to be final, and not a mere consultation
as argued by Senior Sanguly
Bishop Sbaretti has published 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 he orders that in The
future any priest who is present at such
a meeting, whether he takes an active
part in 1t or not is ipse facto suspended
alb ordine ofilcio ct benefciQ.