Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1901-12-11

regime, this was probably true; but
certain II is that since the sanitary
reforms instituted by the military
government were put into effect many
cities in our own country would en-.
Joy this distinction IN a greater de-
gree.
l was astonished at what my eyes
beheld the first time passed through
the streets of Havana. could not
help mentally contrasting everything
which presented itself to my eyes
with similar sights in Manila. Every
point of comparison must be in favor
o. the former city and against the lat
ter.
Manila may be the more healthful
city in which to live on account of the
absence of the yellow fever. but in
other respects Havana is far ahead
of her oriental sister. Still there is
much to remind one of the Filipino
capital and the general sights and ar
chitecture is the same. The streets
and sidewalks are narrow. the lower
o. down stair portion Of the houses is
used for business offices, for stores
and for shops, while the second story
is reserved for dwelling purposes;
here as there it is considered good
hygiene to sleep some distance above
the surface of the ground. However,
Havana is much more modern than
would naturally be supposed any.
thing can be obtained here from a
ride on an electric car to New York
paper.
The fashions do not differ mater.
tally from American fashions, and the
ladies. who are among the most beau
tiful in the world, dress strictly la
mode, and 1t is no uncommon sight to
see dusky Cuban belle sweeping
along the streets in a most elegant
costume. For brilliancy and pictur.
esqueness, for gaiety and show, the
social life of Havana surpasses that
OF almost any contemporary city. We
hear a great deal in the states of the
gaiety of Partisan life and of the Bois
de Boulogne and the Champs Elisee,
but 1t pales into insignificance when
compared with the scene in the
Parque Central of Havana on Sunday
nights. On this evening the Ameri.
can artillery bands render a concert
of select music which is thoroughly
enjoyed by the Havanaese, as is at.
tested by the crowds which throng the
vicinity of the band stand. 1t would
seem as il the entire elite of the town
turned out to display its wealth, beau.
ty and position. A small charge is
made for the seats, all of which are
occupied and an endless procession
of ladies' and gentlemen and beautiful
senoritas passes through the principal
avenues. To mingle with this bril-.
liant crowd is like being in a terres.
trial paradise; every night in the
same place are two steroptican shows
which display to advantage the latest
inventions Of Edison.
A word about the political situation
here and then | am done. THE Dot
is now boiling" we say at home. The
election for president of the Cuban re.
public takes place on the 31st of De
cember. and in the meantime the var
ious adherents of the candidates are
employing methods, similar to those
in use in the United States, to seaurc
votes. AS nearly as am able to lcart
there are but two candidates for tl.c
presidency in the field. One of then
Is Estrada Palma. who represents tn,
nine conservative elements OF IN,
population, and the other is Genera
Maso, who served with distinction II
the Cuban war and has an Influential
following among the natives of III,
island. Maso is very popular will
this class, which is numerically ve:y
strong but his election would prob
ably mean the humiliation of the con
stitution and annexation to the Unit
ed States.
AS in the United States. so in Cuba
the color line is drawn by the whites
but not SO strictly.
Senior Estrada has passed a larg,
part Of his life In the United States
and is thoroughly familiar with ou
plan Of government. In the event O
his election. the republic may be I
success. but otherwise It would sooI
be apt to crumble into ruins; annex
alton would then be the only saliva
tion for the country.
There is already a strong sentimen
in this direction but II Is confine,
principally to the educated classes
The Cuban negro thoroughly despise
the American and II would probabl,
puzzle them to tell you why, but It &
a fact that there is noticeable here
great deal OF anti-American sent
ment. 1t is probably caused by sus
picion as to our governments inten
tions toward Cuba.
noticed the other night when tn
band played the Star Spangled Bar
ner. that not single Cuban removes
his hat; SO too at a political meetin
the Americans we're very bitterly dc
nounced from the platform. Thes
are only instances which go to shoy
that the American is not popula
here, although the Cubans themselve
| admit that ha and taa 90 ~ ~ hfo nn,,r