The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-09-08
'HAVANA'S BEAUTIES
AS WINTER RESORT
Visitor Pictures Attractions of
Cuban Capital in Enter
pertaining Detail.
Is MOTORISTS PARADISE
Yachting, Bathing, Racing
and Jai Alai, Dancing, Golf
and Tennis Popular.
By CAROLINE JACKSON.

By CAROLINE JACKSON.
Written especially for the Latin Amer
tcdn Section Of THE SUN.
| Havana is doubtless as we'll known
to the travelled American as many of
our own cities. But it seems destined
in the near. future to become the Mecca
for that leisure class who have hereto
fore spent the winter season in Califor-
MIA and Florida and who will be at
tracted by Its proximity, its climate. Its
| interesting combination of foreign and
American customs and the many sources
| of interest and amusement 1t offers.
Those going Tor the first time will
realize that the Pearl of the Antilles"
| is indeed a fitting name for this beauti-
full island as 1t rises white from the
deeply blue sea, with its dazzling houses,
| garden walls and churches.
The harbor of Havana is a wonderful
| sight with Its historic MORO Castle or
Castillo del Moro, meaning Castle of
, the Rocky Point sternly guarding Its
| entrance. But once on shore this appar-
emily fairy city becomes a very busy.
busting and up to date one. 1t is said
that for its population (400, 000) Havana
possesses more public and private auto
mobiles than any other city, and be it
said incidentally that these are the only
cheap things there, while the chauffeurs
are excellent and the pace Is of the
swiftest. Just at first one is terrified
as the car races madly round the corners
of the fiery narrow streets, such as
Obispo and Oreilly, the great downtown
shopping thoroughfares. But as nothing
ever happens. notwithstanding the en-
tire absence of all traffic regulations,
one ends by becoming serenely confident
To give an Idea of the extreme narrow
ness of all this downtown district. 1t is
no exaggeration to say that the pedes
trian cannot carry an umbrella when II
rains as it would not leave room for
the street cars to pass.
Who does not know and love those
typically Cuban shops in Obispo, Oreilly
and San Rafael streets. with their dis
plays of exquisite fans and giant tor
tofse shell combs and Spanish lace man.
tillas and dainty perfumes? Each shop
too has its own picturesque name, such
as eel Encanto" (the enchantment), la
Primavera" (the springtlme), or la
Sirena" (the Siren).
Hotels.
The hotels in Havana are more or
less grouped about the Parque Central
and the Prado, and just here a word on
this subject might not come amiss. With
all due fairness to those in existence
there is. a crying need for a large, new,
up to date hotel for the Americans who
would flock thither could they find one
to combine the open, cool. patio garden
style of the Spanish with the secluded
quiet bedroom and thoroughly modern
bath of the American hosiery. Havana
has been called the future Monte Carlo
OF the United States, and for the many
who find prohibition irksome and gam
bling a pastime hard to forego there is
| solace in the thought that so near at
hand is the birthplace of the famous
bacarde rum, OF which such delicious
| beverages are concocted and where the
! races and the national game of jail alai
afford such betting opportunities.
Cuba ought to have a most brilliant
! future with its great wealth. its refined
| and charming society, its beautiful
homes, many OF them palaces, and its
great variety OF sports.
There are yachting and bathing, dining
and dancing at the yacht club golf ten
mis- and dinner dances at the country
club and the Vidado Tennis Club, and
even dancing at the race track in the
grand stand and in the clubhouse be-
Jai AIai.
The great national game OF jai alai,
or pelota, game unknown to Amer
leans unless they have witnessed II in
the Basque provinces. where 1t origi-
mated. is played in the enormous "fron-
ton" or court in its own building three
times a week in the evenings and on
Sunday afternoons and attracts at each
performance about 10000 jail ali fans"
The players, who come from Spain, re-
ceive $1,000 a month. and the season is
of the same length as the racing one
namely. about five months while the
betting at the former IS even greater
than at the latter.
Motoring.
The motoring is UNSURPASSED in variety
| and extent Through the handsome sub
urbs out into Che beautiful country
where grow the rich fields of sugar cane
and the picturesque henequen or hemp,
with here and there an extensive Cuban
estate or flrca. The driveway along the
Malicon or sea wall stretches for miles
and when completed will entirely en-
circle Havana and its environs and rival
In beauty and length the famous Prom
cnade des Anglais in Nice.
Cuban Traits.
One finds among the Cubans a won
derful combination of ability and clev-
erness in business affairs, united with
the delightful, courteous, simpatico Ito
use their own expressive word) manners
Unborn in the Latin.
During the strikes, when all public
means OF transportation are suspended,
1t is not uncommon to see the Cuban
millionaire stop his car and give a lift
to the unknown pedestrian. especially II
he be foreigner.
Home Life.
There is not space in this little sketch
to dwell on the Cuban family life. It is
very harmonious and affectionate one,
great love for children and marked flial
respect and tenderness prevailing. The
Cuban lady is much petted and PAM
pered, housekeeping cares sitting lightly
upon her pretty head. During the old
regime this was even more so. This
was the period of slaves and fabulous
wealth, and the Vicondessa de V.