The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-03-17
GJBA WIEL OPEN
MONTE CARLOOF
WEST NEXT YEAR
American Capital Is Interested
in Great Resort Project
Now That United States Has
Gone Dry.

: The oft talked of plan for establish
ing Monte Carlo of the western
hemisphere" in Cuba which shall be a
permanent rendezvous for thirsty and
sportive Americans is not a mere Fumor
but a going concern with plenty of
capital and backing.
The contemplated great resort. which
IS expected to Guido the old world
Monte Carlo in size and in number
and variety of games of chance, has
z been definitely located in the little wa
tertng place OF San Diego Hot Springs,
a few miles west Of Santiago There
is only small hotel there now, but
by the winter of 1920-1921 there viii
be two large new hotels, great casino
and any number of smaller attractions.
A deer preserve Of some 1900 acres viii
|Abe in shape for hunting by those who
care to spend time in that fashion.
The concession for the resort has
been granted by the Cuban government
to the Compania Balnearia de San
Diego, which has put up 100000 in
gold as an evidence of good faith. The
company has taken q 99-year lease on
said, awarded the contracts for the
building ofsthe casino and the hotels to
American firms.
One hotel will be modelled after the
Traymore in Atlantic City, it is said.
This will be exclusively for all-season
guests. The other will somewhat re-
4 semble the McAlpin in New York and
Will be open to as many transients as
it can accommodate. The entire layout
represents an investment of between
$S,00O,O00 and $5,000,000, according to
a New York lawyer who is looking after
the interests of the American hackers
& of the plan.
The company holding the concession
is made up entirely Of Cubans, most OF
whom are wealthy and prominent in
cuban politics. Originally it was PLAN
ned to have an American syndicate take
the concession, but the Menocal gov
eminent, it is said, fatty opposed this
loea and refused to grant it to any
but Cubans. 1t is understood, how
ever, that the capital stock will even
Iually be owned in large part by Amer
u leans.
The chief promoters Of the plan on
the American side include one promi-
nent financier who is interested in sew
& eral hotel companies in this country
Ignacio Montalvo, brother of Juar
L. Montalvo, Cuban minister of the in.
terror, is the president of the Compania
Balnearia de San Diego. The vice.
Z president is Dr. FREDERICK Torralbas
4 former minister of sanitation.
u. 5. AZpiazu, private secretary K
President Menocal, who was in New
York recently, confirmed the repor
that the company had the concession
Il but said he did not know whether an!
Americans were interested in the plan
Il Although the officers of the compan,
! are Cubans, all Of the management AM
u personnel of the resort will be strictl
" American.
~ Only personally introduced guests vii
be admitted to the casino. Tie com
pany even now, is importing shiploads O
choice champagnes from France, ma
deiras, sherries and ports from Spai
and Portugal, rum from Jamaica an
whisky d in
quantities from the United States,
AS for the contemplated plan of tn
nterdenominational committee of tn
churches on cooperation in Lati
81 America for fighting the movement fo
N Monte Carlo in Cuba, the hackers {
81 the San Diego scheme point out tina
III under a recent enactment of the Cuba
government it is provided that Cub
can not go dry for at least IS year
# more.