The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-15
CUBA OPENS ARMS
TO TOURIST ARMY
Island Expects the Greatest
Friendly Invasion in Its
History This Winter.
PROMISE BETTER HOTELS
Roads Are Being Improved. to
Give Automobile Parties
Chance to Move About.

HAVANA. Cuba. Sept. 14.-This island
!. .xpecting the greatest invasion or
,.r,,sts in its story and the Interest,"
"A narties-tho. who will financially
:. benefited by such a friendly invasion
ara making active preparations to
S,vo the visitors the time Of their lives
cuba II is declared by commercial
.,svsllers who make that island period
,csI,v. Is short of first class hotels. a
.nnntry. that Is devoid Of such an I'M
n,rative necessity as a first class hotei
,s.d net expect TO obtain It's snare OF
,ha tourist travel Tourists do not Hke
"A 20 running about the world and into
plsces where there are no adequate
,a.Snlne accommodations. This seems
% be a failing in Havana, ana the
-aonIe Of this country realize 1t more
,Ssr anv one else. They point with
.rvv to the tremendous tourist travel
.hst the little Republic of Panama OBJ
tains each year by virtue of its two
snlendld hotels, the Washington and the
TSvoli. both equipped to give tie most
,YaotIng tourists from any country n
most excellent service.
American capitalists, however, have
recognized the possibilities of the hotel
business in this island. Already there
are at least two gigantic corporations
manning a system of hotels In this
tlaad that will be second to none In any
country. One powerful company that
now owns and operates hotels in the
United States is negotiating for prop
srty here on which a large hotel will be
constructed for business men and tour
lists. Another company from the south
Il planning, string of hotels in the
leading cities of this country which
Will have such advantages as swim
ming pools, polo grounds golf links,
tennis courts and everything else that
will make them attractive to seekers. of
pleasure from the United States and
other countries
Havana Popular With "wets."
The people here seem to be unani-
nous In the opinion that the dry law
IN the United States will force thous-
ands to come to this island to enjoy the
bubbling and sparkling fluid as well as
to indulge. in the famous American mix
ture known as the cocktail. Already
the island people have felt the effects
Of the dry wave in the United States in
the recent activities in the capital re-
sultlng from tourist travel. The hotels
are full, the cafes are making more
money than ever before and the streets
are crowded with strangers. Havana is
to-day enjoying bonanza in spite
Of the high cost of living and occasional
labor disturbances.
The Government Is lending every pos
sible assistance to the campaign OF
bringing visitors to the country. Sub
sides to private concerns desiring to
build and maintain hotels are talked of
In political circles, and large plots OF
land may be turned over t6these parties
on very reasonable terms and with the
cooperation Of the Governments y, e, Z
One Of the most important things
that the Government has under way,
however. Is the construction OF high
way system that will tap every impor-
stood that the Government aims tc
spend $1,000. eco annually in the con.
struction and maintenance of this high
way system. With the completion OF
this programme Cuba viii have one OF
the finest systems of roads Of any ma.
ton, and will certainly offer visitors a
Splendid inducement to visit the coun-
try and enjoy a tour of the island by
automobile.
About $1,000 Will be used imme.
diately to repair the central highway In
the Province OF Havana and another
100000 for the repair of the centra
highway In the Province of -Pfnar De
RIO and TO extend it to other importani
points Another 100000 will be ex.
pended for the extension of the centra
Highway from Matanzas to. Santa Clara
through to other important cities. The
road from Santa Clara to Camaguey
VIII also be extended and an expendi.
ture Of $4,000 will be made for this
purpose