The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-04-27
CUBAN RAILWAY SYSTEM.
Syndicate of American Capitalists VIII
Rebuild and Develop Them.

NEW YORK. April 26-Representa-
tive American capital has been enlist
ed in a scheme for the rehabilitation
and development Of the railway sys-
TEN of Cuba. A newly formed cor
poration, the Cuban Company, is to
undertake this work, and although its
existence Is chiefly due to the labors
and enthusiasm Of a Canadian, Sir
William c. Van Horne. VIM, C.'Whit-
ney and other prominent members of
the Whitney syndicate. Ex-Governor
Levi P. Morton. John W. Mackay, Of
the Commercial Cable Company; Jas.
]. Hin. the western railway magnate:
General Samuel Thomas and other
well-known American financiers. are to
employ their brains and money in
pushing the project.
The Cuba Company has been incor-
porated in New Jersey with $4,000
capitalization. There viii be meet
ing of the promoters this morning In
Ex-Governor Morton's office and the
organization of the company will be
perfected. 1t is thought probable that
Sir William c. Van Horne, who re-
signed some time ago the presidency Of
the Canadian Railway Company. may
be chosen president of the Cuba Com
pany. He has spent much time in Gu
ba in thorough investigation Of the
resources and prospects of the ISL
and.
Beside the men already mentioned
as subscribers the list includes:
H. NJ Flagles, the Standard Oil mag
nate; Edward H. Hartman, Of the
syndicate now in charge OF the affairs
of the Union Pacific railroad: Thomas
n. Ryan, P. A. B. Widener and w. L.
Elldns. Of the Whitney syndicate; F.
J. Berwind. General Granville NJ.
Dodge. H. Walters. George G. Haven,
H. NJ. Whitney, G. B. Hopkins, VIM.
Lanman Bull and Charles T. Barney.
The Cuba Company may devote itself
in some measure to developing the
natural resources of the Island of Gu
ba. but win chiefly attend to develop
ing the Cuban railroads
Sir William c. Van Horne said last
night:
The western half of Cuba, geo.
graphically, is well supplied with rail-
roads already, and but little more in
that way is now needed there. But
the eastern half, which comprises the
Provinces of Santa Clara, Puerto Prin-
cipe and Santiago. is still in an almost
wholly undeveloped state.
ITO the southwark the mountain
ranges lie near the coast, as they do
in certain portions of the coast else
where. In consequence of but few rail-
roads having been built there, and |
those of an insignificant character,
the population has not penetrated far
inland, and the interior Of these prov
inces remains in an undeveloped state. |
Some small investments 1 had in Gu |
ba led me there first to look after
them, but with no intention Of In any |
way increasing them.
This problem presented itself to me
and became interested in its work
Ing out. One thing more which led me to
take it up was that found the Gu
bans not only willing to work, but to
do work well and with intelligence.
Il also believed them, after close !
to be capable Of self-gov-
and found that the better
classes among them were anxious and |
would use their influence to render
capital invested in Cuba as safe as that
invested in other countries, and while
occasion may arise calling for the in
reference Of the United States in the !
near future, l don't think they will"
Cuba will, I believe, be ultimately |
annexed to the United States, not on
account Of self-government there, but |