The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-14

Eesshsd BY coach from J, The e!ty s M
remind me In almost every pnrt io,ilnr
OF our own beautiful caves Of Luray.
Like them the entrance is in 9 nearly
ea aha a bs yert Lee fSr spns
ing and festooned with rare stalactites
OF all sizes, shapes and many hues,
mostly pure white, cream and pink,
trio lights shed 8 dazzling ilasRes from
above and below. Tnoy are somewtlay
larger than the caves OF Lurny and
easier OF access. but not nearly 80 cool; ~
IN tact, " was nwfully hot In them s
Leaving Matanzas. 1 went almost en-.
tirely by railway to Santiago de Cuba,
which Is 800 miles east OF Hnvana, anu
nenrlw on the extreme east end VI the
island. travelling in daylight only 80
route at Cardenas, Sagun la Grande,
Santa Clara and Camngu ey, and u NUM-
Der OF sugar and tobacco plantation,
many Of whisi, operate their own snal
larger fruit farms. particularly the
pineapple industries.
Cuba Is quite "a railway country, and
with the building OF the Cuba Rail-
Clara tby Sir William Van Horn), tho
extreme eastern and western ends OF
the Island were connected. This enter
prise was begun before the Spanish
War but was not
now It Is possible to go from Pinar del
Rio TO Guantanamo by rail. a distance
OF nearly 500 miles connecting at va
r rio r. points With side lines, running
and making travel quite convenient.
N Perhaps the most interesting city
and vicinity in Cuba to Americans IL
Santiago de Cuba. from its associations
n n
the United States. Here 1t was that
the famous charge of the Rough Rid
ers." under President tthen Colonel)
uan HIS Rnas and IN ths d dsspe.
ate fighting in front of Ell Caney. and
from the beautiful harbor OF Santiago
m the Ill.ated feet q the Spanish aa
into the Caribbean Sea to meet destruc-
ton Mt the hands of the American
fleet, under Admiral Schley. These stir
ring events were vividly recalled 40
the IN, ), writer stood near the scenes OF
conflict and reviewed the former glory
OF Spain In ages past and compared It
with her present position as real
world power. About the only thing
left by these people who dominated
years and which still sheds. an indn-
ence greater than any earthly power
seems able to subdue. is Its religion.
After having spent about three weeks
in Cuba. during which time had seen
nearly everything Of interest, sailed
for San Juan. Porto Rico, Via Haiti
and santo Domingo, crossing tho
'Windward Passage" from the south
east coast OF Cuba to the southwest
end OF Haiti, and along that coast TO
the southern shores OF the republic OF
! Santo Domingo. landing a this ancient
and Interesting old Spanish settlement
so intimately connected with the later
mn nv n
time he resided. and where his house
still stands, though in state of decay.
was in its cathedral. some as years
old. almost every part OF which was
sumed over twenty-five years in build
ing. We landed and left from the
very spot where Columbus and his fol-
lowers stepped ashore and raised the
cross and then the Spanish standard.
From the city OF Santo Domingo we
cleaned along the south coast OF Santo
Domingo, crossed the Mona" passage.
and passing along the southwestern
side OF the island OF Porto Rico. nnch-
ored of the old Spanish city of Ponce.
and after discharging mail. passengers
and cargo for this port wesresumed our
journey. steaming back along the south
coast. entering and passing through
Mona passage. along the west end OF
Porto Rico. and then east along the
north coast to San Juan, arriving there
Saturday morning. June 18th. having
from Santiago de Cuba to San Juan.
Porto Rico. The passengers from Cuba
were not allowed to land In the city,
but VIC were taken In a launch to tile
quarantine station and kept until eve
ming OF the 14th. then discharged with
the freedom OF the island. Porto Rico
Is in many respects as interesting Us
Cuba. and later on Will try and Write
something about 1t.
San Juan, Porto Rico. June 20. 1903.