The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1909-07-16


FGRoNE- OFRoN4L PINS -
The completion of few miles of
government road now in course OF
construction east of Havana, and the
finishing up of some miles more on
which work is now being rushed west
of that city will make of three prov
inces of Cuba before the present year
is out unless existing plans are de-
layed in execution) one vast tropical
park fully opened for the first time to
the touring car.
In each of these three provinces
Pinar del Rio, Havana and Matanzas
there is already complete and in
use a network of roads radiating
from the respective provincial CAPT
tails, Pinar del Rio city, Havana itself,
and the town of MatanZas, whence
the highways reach eastward with
Santiago de Cuba itself as their objec-
tive point. What has been lacking
heretofore has been proper connec-
ton between these provincial sys-
tens and this is now being rapidly
supplied
Government roads in Cuba are
nothing less than magnificent boule-
vards-wide, white and even, without
grades over six per cent. (that maxi
mum being infrequent), without sharp
curves, finished all in Telford mac
adam and equipped with culverts.
drains and the best of bridges. Over
these highways arch ancient laurels,
royal poncianas and other Towering
trees, which make travel cool de-
light the year around. Were one to
ascend in a balloon he would dis
cover that dark-green ribbons of TO-
liage laid across the face of the land
mark the routes of government roads
over Cuba.
These roads invite the automobilist
to explore the fairest country mag
Unable; they lead him forth up gentle
hills and along the TANKS of sleeper
highlands; into smiling, fertile val
leys where royal palm groves stand;
by the shores of intensely blue seas;
or, again, within sight of green, wood
ed mountains, dark and irregular
against a luminous sky.
No description can do the land
scape of Cuba justice. To be believed
it must be seen in all its fairy-like
coloring and unusual combinations of
hill and vale, palms, pines and hang
ing aeroids, wild wastes and produc-
tive farmlands, sea, sky and mountain
alternating or perhaps blended into
exotic panorama.
For instance, in a few hours, start
ing from Havana, it is possible to
cross Cuba from the Atlantic ocean
on the north shore to the Caribbean
sea on the south. The distance from
Havana to Batabano is but 30 miles
or so. A fine road runs all the way,
through very pleasant country, now
level, now broken by the Managua
hills. through which the highway
finds a passage among thick clusters
of palm trees without ascending a
heavier grade than five per cent Ba-
tabano is the center of the sponge
fishing industry and there is much Of
interest in the old town and espe-
ciaIly in the port itself. which is some
four kilometers distant from the town
proper.
or from Havana the car may turn
westward, following the north coast
via Mariana, Arroyo Arenas. Punta
Bravo, Hoyo Colorado. Caimito and
Guanajay to Mariel, loveliest OF Pinar
del Rios few ports. On hill over
looking the village, the bay (round
and perfect as an illustration In a
primary geography and all the fer
tile. cultivated Mariel valley is the
.'Rubens palace" a miniature Alham-
bra. intended to be private pleasure
resort. but recently purchased by the
government for hospital purposes.
Automobiles climb the hill to its very
door. The prospect from the build
ing's upper balconies is almost unreal;
II looks like a vast curtain prepared
for some gigantic theater.
Westward still from Guanajay the
government road runs on TO Cabanas.
center of the best sugar-producing re-
xion in the west country. Very short
ly II will reach Bahia Honda. toward
which II Is working RAPIDLY.