The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1915-02-06
CONTINUED
FROM PAGE !
WRITER BABS0N
FIRES FIRST GUN
IN TRIP TO SOUTH

has Just come up from the bottom
Of the ocean or an a new territory.
like Oklahoma. which has just been
opened for settlement
And this IL why our business men
do not sell more goods in Cuba.
when they treat the Spanish mer-
chants OF Cuba with the respect
and consideration 10 which they are
entitled--by history and position
then there will be more work for
the factories OF the United States.
The principal city OF Cuba Ia Ha-
vana. which can nos be reached In
five hours from Key West. Fla.
Havana 10 destined 20 be one
Of the largest cities OF the West
ern hemisphere.
IL has beautiful temperature;
II 10 most strategiealiy located.
The harbor is one OF the best
In the world. There 10 nothing
against Havana which ! can
think OF excepting the hotel
ehareesi N you visit Havana.
bring along a tent, for the hotel
charges are fearfuiiy hishl
believe Havana Is destined TO
become a very healthful city. Al.
though the authorities would not
let me land. when | was here last
year. because a rat had the bubonic
plague. We, these insanitary condl
lions viii not long exist.
Some day an American will take
a shipload OF rat traps TO Cuba and
catch them all However. with
the exception OF South American
city. about which will tell in later
article. know OF no other city
where | had rather buy real estate
today than In Havana
The population OF Havana Is $780,
900. IL has fine streets, electric
lights. sewers. municipal water and
other Improvements.
Five high office buildings are now
being erected. and one sees as many
automobiles on The Prado as on the
boulevards OF any American city.
don't like to lose money any
more than do you. but | am willing
10 bet on Havana.
last evening, as ! was walking
about the Plaza, listening TO the nnu-
sic, an American manufacturer, who
| is travelling with me, said:
I "6abson, ! wonder why u 10 that
these Cubans so dislike US Ameri.
eans7 They seem 10 forget that we
freed them from Spanish rule"
. said 4: Come with me tomorrow
and call upon one OF the leading
merchants Of the city, and perhaps
you'll learn why"
"Very WE'LL" said he. an gladly
90 with you In order TO learn the
truth why these cubsns, at the
same price, Will buy inferior goods
from my German competitors rather
than give the orders to me and my
other American friends"
The next day we went to a large
commission house In one OF those
old-fashioned "carry-alls." such as
our fathers used to drive over cob.
ble.stoned streets-where the paw
Ing was laid under Spanish rule,
many years ago.
Upon reaching my Cuban friends
place OF business, the American
with me said
why. this isn't much OF a place; ;
! or. at least, they have not much
business; II seems too quiet"
Now, II really was not lack OF
business which set my American
friend adrift. Il was the fact that
these Cuban merchants and their
employees take life calmly and sens.
IDLY.
Instead OF working in the hot sun.
as American employees are often
compelled to do In summer time,
great awnings and curtains are
hung TO protect the Cuban clerks
from the heat and dust.
Moreover, often these curtains are
hung at the outer edges OF the side
walk. so as to protect the passerby
How much pleasanter Il would make
shopping in your own city in sum.
mer If the merchants would adopt
these awnings and curtains at their
sidewalks edge, so that you could
walk In the shade.
Instead OF hurrying past the store
windows to get out of the sun, you
would then leisurely walk along and
Inspect the window displays.