The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-11-10
"ENGLISH SPOKEN" IN CUBA.
Not Much Trouble to Get Along wnthous
Spanish I'm the Beaten Tourist Path.

Not Much Trouble to Get Along wnthous
Spanish I'm n Beaten Tourist Path.
To DO sure. the average Cuban speaks thu
native brand OF Spanish. but the traveller
ism 3 likely to find that a knowledge Of Cas-.
lillian or Cuban is imperative In a journey
along Ne beaten path In Cuba.
II need NOT be inferred from this that
Cuba il entirely Americanized. although
there are many Americans there. But
comfortable progress may les made with
out regard TO more than a dozen words Of
Spanish which are picked up easily. ''
Two Americans, the one equipped with
hating Spanish. found this out ON a recent
trip through the sland. AZ the very start,
when the steamer dropped them at Santiago
there vas no need Of any guide book phrases
leading up TO the hire OF hotel room.
A runner for a hotel met the steamer and
inquired in good enough English II the
travellers minds tended that way. He led
them TO- bus. made In the States. and had
them conducted to the hotel.
The bargain for rooms was made In Eng
lish. The matter Of eating was simpIihed
by the parallel columns on the bill OF fare,
setting forth In both languages what was to
be had.
The first taste of Spanish was on the oc-
casion Of asking 70 be directed to tho rail-
road station. and hat was in the street, in
approaching one OF the GVardia Rural. IL
was Spanish enough 20 DO told at the rail-
road station that IL would not be open for
three hours or more for the sale Of tickets.
but as there is only one train a day Of i'm
p~ortance it need not be matter Of wonder
that the Offics islnot 2 all day.
The travellers went back TO the custom
house after their trip to the railroad station.
because the ceremony ofinspection had been
put over, until the afternoon, although the
boat got in in the morning. The inspector
who had the baggage in charge spoke Eng
lish, which was a relief.
Going back 10 the railroad station After
ward, the interpreter OF the party In correct
Spanish asked the man At the ticket window
how much lt cost TO take a parlor car and
sleeper TO Havana. Back came the answer
in gruff English: Five dollars So there
was no need there Of any Spanish.
In the train going across from Santiago
70 Havana there was always some con-
ductor or sleeping car employee who spoke
English, 80 that here again progress was
slmplEied; Although in NE railway rsstau-
there was only Spanish food. and conse-.
quent!y there was no question Of ordering
anything. The food is placed before Won
70 eat or not as you choose and signs are
as good as language.
In Havana. naturally as q larger oisy.
there are many persons who speak English.
ana IN every snop practically can be seen
slgns English Spoken The hotel people
speak English too. Although American
money 10 not the universal currency as it
Is IN Santiago it Ia In circulation in Havana
and 10 as good a. Spanish money.
Well, after all, IL isn't such a great dis
lance TO Cuba. and tho many soldiers and
others who have been there low koAnR on
ten years ought to W. helped spread thu
language q great deal. II that were not
enough there are colonies OF English speak
ing persons through the island.
one o. the biggest II &C Bartls. which Is
on the line OF the Cuba railroad. Thae 10
made up Of Canadians. Naturally. OF
course, In tho interior and o6 The 6esGen
psth English 10 nrer: