Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1905-11-01
A GLIMPSE OF CUBA.
From a letter written by Mrs. Fred Hodskins.
OF LamoIne.l

The island OF Cuba, which lies so near
our own coast, is certainly one of the most
interesting islands which has engaged the
attention of our people in the past few
years. How many OF us, however, realize
that Cuba, which we sometimes think OF
as being small, has, in fact, length OF
more than 700 miles and some OF its
mountains have a height OF nearly one
and quarter miles.
1t is generally conceded that the climate
of the winters is delightful, and while
the summer heat is indeed trying in the
extreme, prostration and sunstrokes are
| unknown.
Having recently had the opportunity of
seeing the two principal cities, Havana
and Cienfuegos, perhaps a brief descrip-
ton OF these places might prove of inter-
est to you.
On approaching the port of Havana one
| is impressed with the clear outline OF the
mountains, which may be seen even forty
miles away, and the narrow entrance to
the harbor. So narrow IL this channel
that 1t is impossible for steamers or YES
sells of any size TO pass each other between
| the buoys.
On passing through the entrance, one OF
the most beautiful bays or harbors have
ever seen unfoids itself to view. This
harbor is large, and except for this en-
trance, completely landiocked. The only
blot on the almost perfect picture which
it presents, is the wreck of our battieship
Maine, which lies in the centre OF the
harbor. One Of its turrets Is still stand
| ing, and the whole wreck resembles a
huge mass OF iron and steel projecting
| from the water to a considerable height.
Surrounding il on every side may be seen
remnants ri the decorations placed there
each February In memory of those brave
| men who there gave their lives.
At the left lies Moro Castle, the Oldest
| fort on the island; at the right is Havana,
and numerous villages are situated around
| the bay.
Unlike most ports, there are few docks,
and the many steamers that are constantly
coming and going load and discharge
their cargoes from lighters. One thousand
boats of different descriptions are en-
ployed in the harbor alone for conveying
landings.
Havana is a typical Spanish city of more
than 10000 inhabitants. All of the
buildings are OF masonry, and the houses
present anything but q cheerful appear
ance from the street. The streets are
mostly extremely narrow, with narrow
curling, with only room for one person TO
walk. In order TO avoid accident teams
are Obliged to go up one and down another
street, and gongs on the saddles are con-
stantly sounding, which is rather eonfus-
ing.
There is good electric car service ex-
tending TO many places near the city,
where Ameri ,ans have modern homes, as
many have business interests thsre since
the American occupation OF the island.
Large numbers of tourists visit there
each year, so English is spoken, yet the
universal language Is Spanish.
What Broadway is to New York, obispo
street is to Havana, for here are the fine
lace and linen stores. japanese stores are
beautiful. Ali have European goods, as
but few dry goods are imported from the
United States.
Numerous parks add much to the
beauty of the places, for tropical plants
are all beautiful. Several Protestant
churches Of different denominations have
been established. An Easter service was
especially enjoyed, as we met several
American teachers who were most cordial.
I The soil is rich ard fcr..t.: GnS c.Fers
many id .antsges in an sgriA ait1.@I VA.
Frosts are never known, as in Florida.
Bananas, at forty cents per bunch, and
! luscious pineapples at five cents each,
make 1t seem Ikea bountiful country, as
| far as fruit is concerned.
The sanitary conditions of the island
are much improved. All OF the yellow
fever cases OF late have been brought from
Mexico and Central American ports.
Patients are at once placed under MEETINGS,
as protection against mosquitoes, as it
has been proved that mosquitoes convey
1 the germs OF the disease.
Cienfuegos, much smaller city, is on
the south side OF the island. 1t resembles
/ Havana in regard to the entrance, but
| there are several islands which add b auty
| to the large bay.
/ The largest sugar mills in the world are
not far from the city. One finds many
! spaniards here, and but few Americans.
The Gubans are naturally a suspicious peo-
NE and hardly trust themselves, much
F, Tess foreigners. Some of them realize
that their freedom from Spain came
through the United States, and many be-
/ lieve that Cuba will some day become a
part OF this country which has done much
for thar in r,sasy praU9