The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-11-25
NEW RAILROAD
CROSSES CUBA
Sleeping Cars TO Be Run for
First Time Upon tho Island.
THE LINE WAS OPENED TODAY
Runs From Santa Clara 10 Santiago and
The Time Of Traval Is Twenty
-Four Hours.
THE LINE WAS OPENED TODAY

Havana, Nov. 25.-Yesterday witnessed
the opening OF new line OF railway
from Santa Clara through the very centre
OF the western portion of the island Via
santo Espirito Junction, Puerto Principe
on TO Santiago. The last rail connection
OF the Puerto Principe and Santa Clara
divisions was laid a week ago at Piedras,
amid the general jubilation OF the resi-
dents of Santa Clara province.
Inc opening OF the road marks the sec
ond anniversary OF the commencement
of the work. Sir William Van Hotie
has arrived To make his rnal inspection
Of the property before 1t enters the pub
lie service.
Through sleepers will run through Ha-.
vana and Santiago. which will prove
revelation TO many OF the natives in the
way or transportation service, the roads
here being poorly equipped and a sleeper
never having been imported into Cuba
The local fare will be three cents kilo-
metre about two-thirds OF mile), but a
cheaper rate will be made for the through
trip which Will be accomplished In "A
hours. IL now requires from three TO
forr days to make the trip by steamer.
The whole length OF the trunk line ccDl-
structed by the Cuba Railway company
Is a little more than 450 miles. through
rivers and valleys. and touches the main
towns and native villages between the
two extreme points.
Later branch lines, now I'm course Of
traffic between Santiago and the bay OF
Nipe. Jucaro and San Fernando. as we'll
as from Santo Espirito Junction on 10
Santo Esperito City.
Until now the western portion OF the
Island only has enjoyed railway facilities.
the larger territory. comprising some
lively unexplored. The companys OBJ
ject In constructing the new lines OF rail-
road is to extend the existing system.
which only runs through barely one
half Of the western part of the island,
and to develop the enormous tract OF
eastern territory. where hitherto no rail-
way facilities have existed" as an
nounced.
The trunk line is OF standard guage
Its bridges are OF steel and masonry. and
It's equipment similar TO that OF the best
American railways.
The country thus opened UP Is reported
as containing much undeveloped min
abundant supply OF good water. Although
the present population Is only about
10000 the resources OF the island are
sufficient to maintain 10. .000, 900 people
Robert r. Porter who was intrusted by
the late President Mckinley TO report on
the Industrial. financial and commercial
condition of the island. has expressed his
opinion concerning this new venture as
follows:
From whatever standpoint II may be
viewed, no one enterprise could do so
much TO improve the situation OF the
island. No revolution could have ex-
listed in Cuba IL such railroad had been
competed DIV the rOrfner government. ana
nothing will 40 rapidly tend to the re-
vival OF commercial and general business
as the facility for quick passage from
one end OF the island TO the other and
from the trunk line over branches TO the
seaboard cities.
"All political turbulence will be quiet
ed thereby and prevented in the future
The entire Island will be open TO com
merce. lands now practically OF no value
and unproductive will be worked the sea-
port towns will become active. and COM
merce between the island and the United
States will soon be restored TO at least
It's former condition"
The company Is OF an American British
character. headed by Sir William Van
Horne as president and a directorate corr
sisting of w. &. Whitney, Thomas F.
Ryan f. j. Berwnd, w l.. Elkins Gen
Grenville NJ Dodge. Gen. Samuel
Thomas. George G. Haven, +. A. b.
Widener. II. Y Walters and Harry H.
Terry.