Mexico weekly ledger., 1903-03-26
WHAT Is THEIR MIssIoKs
Editor Of Ledger Says Cubans Were
Made For Some Purpose, But
Not to Work or Fight

Editorial Correspondence OF the LedEer.
HAVANA, CUBA, March 1s-Havana
is a city Of 10000 and is one OF the
most unique and interesting l have
ever visited. The business streets
are only about fifteen feet wide and
the sidewalks only seventeen inches
The writer can hardly stand on the
walk with his toes out. The residence
streets and drives are wide and beau
tIful.
The people here all seem 70 practice
the saying: Eat, drink and be
merry, for tomorrow you may die.
Music and pleasure Is all the 90,
especially among the rich people.
The weather here is most too hot to
Be comfortable, but we are getting
used to itand are going day and night
to see all we can Of the people and the
country.
The following are some Of the ex-
c~ursions we are taking:
In carriages round the city. which
90 to Obispo Street 1t is called
the Broadway Of Havana. Next the
temple where Columbus heard the
first mass The treasure building|
where the Spanish pirates used tol
deposit their gold in olden times; next
the old Cathedral which is 312 years
old; also the markets. On this
drive through the city. you have
an excellent view Of Morro Castle and
Cabanas fortress; at the distance the
Charles, the III drive, Botanical Gar
dens, the Queens farm where General
Weyler used to live, the base ball
grounds and the arsenal.
To MORO Castle, Cabanas fortress,
where we are given full details of all
horrors committed BY the Spanish
government.
To the pine apple and tobacco plan
tation and banana groves This ex-
cursion goes part by railroad train, 9
miles to the town of MariaDao.
To the famous Toledo plantation
were the machinery alone cost ? mil
lions, and also the Columbia Military
Camps.
To the city OF Matanzas by the best
railroad on the Island Of Cuba to see
the beautiful Bellamar and the great
Valley OF Yumury with its river going
in celebrated Cuban Eolants-
To the Island Of Pines. Sail boats
and fishing 10 the harbor.
Excursion in carriages IL miles to
the waterworks Of Havana where you
see the most beautiful water springs
in the world.
The city is full OF American tour
lists, and all surprised at the improve
ments made since the war, under the
guidance Of Uncle sam and his boys.
The sum OF $4,000 has been appro.
by both Houses for the con-
tinuance and extension Of public
500, 000of this sum is TO be expended
1n the "Malecon, - or driveway along
the sea front Of Havana, that part Of :
which now completed affords so much !
to the great crowds which
1t every afternoon and evening.
When completed this will be n Of c
he most noted driyc-ways and prone a
lades in the world.
The balance Of the sum Is approprl- .
tied 70 the construction Of roads, ]
and other general work. Most c
4 this sum will be expended in the a
ural districts q
The manner in which the system Of a
'ublle work has been carried on since c
he Inauguration Of the Republic re- I
Iects much credit on the new regime. a
The maintenance Of all classes Of pub 4
&c Improvements has been kept up
nth the greatest care and at the same I
ime much new work has been begun. C
This is especially noticeable In the ex- Z
ension Of several Of the turnpikes and s
a the construction OF several steel q
S
American money and American {
Iush is coming into this island, and is V
'eing felt. a
The Cubans, as a rule, are IN. G.n :
They are ignorant, im~provident, and b
work. The business people
Iere are of Spanish birth. This island e
VII never be what it should be until a
t is under the rule Of more English s
Ie0ple than the Cubans. The Cubans, '
S a rule, are like the negroes were s
fter the war, only more SO. They J
re free and want to do something. v
they don't know what or how. They J
re playing at government and, unless /
uided by wise and powerful outside
Influences, will make a most dismal
allure Of it. The Cubans were made
or some purpose, but not to work or u
.ght, or govern even themselves. The :
My fighting done by Cubans during :
he war was done by the blacks, and !
hey were given to understand that :
hey must " do or die" .
Cuba will some day become a part OF L
be United States, and then its des- b
Iny will be fulfilled. p