New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-11-17
CAPITALISTS VISIT CUBA.
SIR WILLIAM c. VAN HORNE OPTIMISTIC
OVER THE PROGRESS OF THE
NEW REPUBLIC.

Havana Nov. % 6Speoai).-There arrived yestor-
day on the steamer Mexico, from NeW-York, about
a dozen American capitalists who interested
in Cuban enterprises. Some Of these the d-
rectors ~ railroad companies and others pros
pecive purchasers OF land In various parts OF the
island. few 81 them also interested in the
proposed municipal loan which Is 10 he negotiated
Ia obtain money for the sewering and paving Of
Havana. and the proposed SS5,@eo0ao national loan
Tor the payment of the army.
Tho most prominent Of yesterdays arrivals was
Sir William c. Van Horne. president Of the Cuba
Company and chairman Of the board Of directors
Of tho Canadian Pacific Railway. The Cuba Com
pany has just completed railroad that connects
she provinces Of Havana and Santiago. Sir Will
fam expressed himself well pleased with the
-ogress Of affairs in Cuba, and predicts
cessful career fer tie new republic. He said that
there has probably never been republic founded
which. after Only six months. could boast Of the
hourishinE conditions that Cuba finds herself in
now that could look forward to a brilliant a
future Cuba has The budget for the coming
year. he added. is a criterion Of what can be eX-
pected Of the country The saving OF 100000 I'm
year after all expenses Of the government are
paid. in his opinion. will enable the Cuban
public to negotiate its loan at low per cent.
instead OF per cent. which it was believed would
have TO be paid Sir William said that about
Sl4G0,0oa is the cost of the Cuba Companys rail-
road. II is the intention of the company open
for traffic on November q, which date marks the
second year Of the beginning Of the road
No enterprise promises 10 do much good for
the country this railroad. Heretofore there have
been absolutely facilities worthy of the name TO
commodities TO the coast The railway will
not only facilitate transportation. but will also re-
duce materially The contingent expenses Of produc-
ton The trip from Havana to Santiago. distance
81 about five hundred miles. will be made IN about
twenty-five hours, whereas at present three days
required by steamer the only means of travel
from port 60 port. and the trip VIII be several
dollars cheaper. The road has been long felt want
IN Cuba, and fits opening viii be hailed with great
satisfaction by the agricultural and commercial
world. II is the intention CT the Cuba Company TO
introduce about one or TWO thousand American
families into Cuba from the Southern States for the
purpose Of developing the fertile soil which found
on the line Of the railroad.
The strike Of twelve % the largest cigar factories
Of the Havana Commercial Company. better known
here as the Tobacco Trust. is apparently as far
from settlement ever. The strikers demand an
advance OF from S 10 SO thousand in their wages
ms. the manager OF the company says. will never
be granted, as the margin Of profit at the present
The smokers OF fine Havanas in the United States
eu nave 40 Ieai OF an immediate famine. as the
the North are so well stocked that orders can easily
Captain John o'Brien. better known to fame be-
cause Of his daring blockade running exploits as
services to The Cuban cause during the revolution
Tb n me Pesn9 lem, OF captain or revenue cutter
I'VE feet tsll-never wasn't much for frills. and he
cutter service who does not appear on the streets
IN the gaudy white and gold of his rank.
The Cabinet Of President Palma has granted 20
Michael J. Dady, Of Brooklyn. extension OF one
Year TO complete the dredging Of the harbOr Of
caroenas. This work has already consumed year
and was really a greater task than Dady had an
ucipateo- 1t - reported that he has lost consid-
cradle money on the contract. and this magnani-
nous extension by the Cuban Government will save
him more loss.
There was great demonstration in Havana a
few days ago by the gamblers and riffrafI OF the
Town for the restoration OF the law permitting
cockhghts; This cockhghting contingent. about
four hundred strong. with bands and banners
marched through the streets till they were drenched
with the rain, shouting for the return of their
favorite sport. They paid their respects to Presl-
dent Palma. then called on the Congress. thence
marching past the official residence OF the Governor
81 tho Province whom they serenaded, until 10 get
aid OF them, Governor Nunez came out on the bal
cOny and reviewed the motley crowd. Until the
advent OF the American military government cock
lighting in Cuba was popular national sport"
u il can be so termed, second only 10 the bull
fights. General Ludlow, who Military Gov
error OF Havana: put stop to the cruelty: how
ever, and since then there has been no cockfght-
ing in Havana, except those which held secret
~. AS example Of how strong cOckhghting
affects the Cubans OF All classes, Il is stated that
cOckfght surprised by the Rural Guards
some time ago at Colon. when among the prison
ers taken besides several leading citizens the
Msvor himself The better element Of Cubans are
opposed 20 a renewal OF the cockhghting privileges.
and Il is not likely that they will be renewed.