New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-11

Santiago de Cuba March (speciaD.-The aver
age American has not the slightest idea Of the size
Of this island whose instruction finally inNo-Ved
the United States in the war with SPAIN Eve-4
the soldiers who served in the battles about TINS
port have no real conception of the distance to Ha-
vana At a dinner given in New-York just oelore
the war was declared man with large CUBAN III
terests asked the New-York cluhmen how large
they thought Cuba really was
1T is as big as Staten Island" said city OIL
cial
You are wrong" declared man who was then
and still is United States Senator 1T Is as Dig
Long Island"
The man from cuba explained TO them that the
island of Cuba If stretched out between New-York
and Chicago would reach well into Indiana, and
If II were possible TO straighten out the curves It
would extend quite into the Windy City.
At that time is not possible to travel by ran
from Havana TO Santiago, and a coastlng trip ny
sea did not give the right impression Thanks 10
the Introduction Of American and English capital
the roads Of Cuba have been connected ana inc
curious American who has twenty-seven hours OF
time and S29 O5 Of cash to spare can reaHy gam
something Of an idea OF the extent and resources
Of Cuba Incidentally # is likely to be the most
curious trip he has ever taken and one full Of in
cident
There is no choice of trains. Tribune CORE
snondent found a few days ago in Havana, when he
vas ir hurry 10 reach the port al the other end
~ the island There is Just one train a day each
way. and one may take it or leave H. The time OF
departure is O'Clock in the evening, and the place
the villa Nueva Station. which is not far from the
hotel centre OF Havana
A quarter before the hour OF departure found the
little station packed and damned TO a degree that
made the New-York commuter feel entirely al
home Thanks 10 rush hour tactics learned at the
Rrooklvn Bridge, he able 10 push through the
ncrsuiriug crowding Jam and through the gates
where the express train which is the pride Of the
island, waiting.
This train consists OF an engine of the vintage OF
20 = combination baggage and mail car; two sec
ond class coaches first class coach half OF which
,s omen for observation purposes and seated with
comfortable wicker chairs. and sleeping car quite
as corafor:ab BILE though not half 50 fussy' as
ar,, ever turned out at the Pullman shops
For 10 centimes Cuban boy has carried one
lnrFage through the crush, and now he stands on
49, rIstforr1 waving "Ados' though one were
bts dearest friend. And you find yourself pleased
at this attention. even 70 the extent OF tossing MN
. f.u, ~ the huge 2-cent pieces, for everybody
else who is departing il receiving similar attentions
go, crowds of friends II the journey TO Santiago
"a cen around the world the partings could not
bayo beon more tender drawn out longer
Al qlG o'clock the extra time being allowed for
r. ..oor,tnodatiou Of belated passengers. the
-. ti,y,s The little old engine puffs and
,buge and tho train begins TO move. Just ahead or
the locomotive goes q man on horseback Tor ule
,suroad runs through a narrow street. and the
,,,tl,,-,toq take this Of insurins low speed
The streets are crowded with gayly dressed men
and women and from every barred window in the
parting greetings
NO NEED OF SMOKING CARS
A., .,e .roto got ont Of the crowded part OF the