Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-07-11
THE NEW HAVANA
The Changes and Betterment in Cuba's
Capital.

Since the American occuna ton. and es-
pecially within the last year, a new and
constantly expanding Havana has sud
denly sprung into existence. The old
Malrcon or sea wall ut the entrance to
the harhor has been Strengthened and
thoroughly renovated, quaint, mcdiaeVal
little Spanish forts no longer exist. and
round about the historic Punta Battery,
where horses used to be washed in the
salt water there extends 4 beautiful ma
rlnc park, with stately approaches and
avenues.
Those who sign for good old Spanish
days are indeed having Il hard time as
the city engineers in charge of municipal
improvements show Scant regard for sen
tmcntal considcra tons an instance of
this being the lcVCling of the picturesque
relies of the original city walls, overhung
by vines. Everywhere in Havana these
engineers are supervising the work of
tearing up the principal thorouehfares.
laying now mains and pipes. and inauGu
rating q completely modern system of
sewerage In this upheaval there need he
no fear of sickness from foul odors as
the sanitary department has its army Of
intelliGrntly directed employees ready at n
moment notice to pour diSinfcctantS in
to any spot likely to breed disease.
Turn where you may in Havana, one
pcrccivcs the Old rapidly giving way to
the now. The statue of Ferdinand VII
the imhccie George III. of Spain. still
graccs the center of the Plaza dc Armas
Park in front of the beautiful palace, hut
ii,
the Latin inscription. to remain there for
ever is cOntcmptuOuSly tolerated in "thc
ever faithful Isle of Cuba" The common
people freely throng through the covered
archWay of the palace (noW the prcSilen-
tal house, over q new cement pavement
n marked contrast to the days of the
naughty captain generals, when only the
viceregal bodyguard of cavalry might
clatter over the cobblStpnes of that same
archWay. w.
The principal streets and avenues of
Havana are brilliantly lighted by cleo
tricty The electric lines. already many.
promise. In the near; near fu d,re be ex-
business centeR and will evdn ran srliles;
| mer resorts. so. "a - s%s
group of allied buildings. presently n
str4nge blending of the old +tnd sltevE
Onfca ans did franciscan convent. arh
hoary with the tradition of centuries. if
was long ago diverted by the Spanish gov
eminent to the profane uses of commerce.
The interior has now been completely re-
| modelled. From n lovely patio or inner
court, open to the sky, and rich with
palms and towering tropical plants ono
passes into the various offices, fitted up
with every modern convenience. AT a
height of 125 feet. from the wooden COLL
| ing of the appraisers department, an oil
painting representing the browning of the
Virgin. bcnisnly gazes upon the hundreds
upon hundreds of cases of merchandise,
daily deposited from, all parts of tho
world in this warehouse of Havana
A few steps along the water front brings
one to the Machina wharf. where passcn.
gers from the United States and forcian
countries are landed, They enter pic
turesque frame and stone building
roof, containing the offices of the quar- tiaet'
antine and kindred Departmental thor
oughly modern structure erected by order
OF Governor General Wood, To the right