Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-25
CUBA SOON ON VIEW
TO u. S. TOURISTS
Opening of Islands Central
Highway Gives Forecast of
y Future Developments.
upeeisl Dispatch to The star.


HAVANA, Cuba, May 24.-American
motorists who have come from Florida
and the Northern States to attend the
formal opening Of the Cuban Central
Highway between Havana and Santa
Clara on Tuesday next (May 20) will
have q forecast of the quaint and little
known parts Of Cuba to be disclosed to
the tourist when the entire 700-nile
highway is thrown open early next year
leave Havana. headed by President Ma
chado, for the Presidents home city,
Santa Clara, where the President will be
host at breakfast to be given at the pro-
vincial palace at Santa Clara to which
the mayors of each city along the 1885,
mile stretch have been invited. AS
Tuesday Is also the twenty-ninth ami
veTsary Of the founding of the Cuban
Republic, brilliant commemorative
event is anticipated.
Chased ~ Fine Thoroughfare.
The Cuban Central Highway Is well
termed the worlds finest long thorough
fare. It extends between Pinar del
Rio City and Santiago de Cuba, ira
versing Havana, Matanzas, Santa Clara
and Camaguey en- route, 1t has no rail-
way crossings at grade, no steep ascents,
and no sharp curves, although it passes
mountain ranges. 1t is now nearing
completion at cost of 500 100000, the
greatest material achievement OF Pres
tdent Machado's administration.
Before contracts were let in 1927,
Sr. Manuel A. Coroalles, superintendent
of the department of roads. visited the
principal highway plants and inspected
roads and bridges throughout the United
States. As q result the construction Of
500 miles OF the highway was awarded
to Warren Brothers Co. Of Boston and
200 miles to the Associated Cuban Con-
tractors, Inc. Eleven thousand men were
employed at the height of the work
which included curbs, sewers and side
walks In all the towns and cities on the
route. 100000 worth Of American
xosd-mAking machinery was imported.
Road machines on the 50-mile sections
have consumed as much as $4,000 gal
Ions of gasoline weekly. Heavy cuts and
fills and extensive bridge work have
been required. Bridges Of 100 meters or
under are of concrete: those exceeding
this length are of steel construction.
DR. Miguel de Cespedes, minister OF
public works, is actively associated with
President Machado in furthering the
highway and other works which are ex-
pected to result In new economic bene-
3lts for Cuba.
wild Jungies Non-Existent.
II the tourist expects to behold wild
tropical jungles on the trip between
Havana and Santa Clara he will be
asreeably disappointed. The country Is
rolling, open and almost entirely under
cultivation or pasturage. Low noun
tsins and broad valleys planted to sugar
fields, or pastures dotted with innu-
merable royal palms are spread before
the view in Vivid panoramas. About
half way between Havana and MatanzaS
the Hershey sugar plantation is passed.
Approaching Matanzas the beautiful
Yumuri Valley, a veritable tropical par
adise, can be reached by short detour
adjacent to the highway as it descends
10 the city, large terraced park has
been constructed with broad concrete
promenades whence O fine view OF the
city and bay is obtained. The highway
10 now approximately rs per cent sur
faced. The government stipulated that
oars should be allowed to pass while
the road was under construction. AS O
rule only short detours, provided by the
contractors, now remain between COM
pleted sections.
It Is now possible to drive from
Havana to Pinar del Rio City in the
west. But Midsummer the highway viii
be open to Camaguey. Early next year
& will be thrown open throughout its
length. However, most Of the road Is
now completed through the Cobre Noun
tains In Oreite Province. The highway
u now open from Cobre, IL miles from
Santiago Dc Cuba, to point 10 miles
northeast Of the ancient city Of Bayamo.
Here Fl Cauto River, the largest in
Cuba, which has been known to rise 35
feet over night Is being brtdged by
gigantic concrete spans.
Inspiring View Disclosed.
The highway will enter Santiago de
Cuba from the broad amphitheater OF
hills west Of the city by broad park
way grading which recently began. An
inspiring view Of Santiago and the har-
Dor Is obtained as the highway dips
over the summit of the Cobre Noun
tains. Twelve miles from Santiago 1t
passes the Santuario de Cobre (the
Shrine of the. Virgin of Cobrel which
distressed and afiicted. The trip
through the mountains viii appeal to
American motorists. The climate Of
the mountain ranges Is noticeably cooler
than that Of the lowlands; the nights
are cold and ordinarily two blankets
are required. Original forests are to be
found throughout a large part Of the
CORE range. Iney a1Or0 Snaoe 1OI
hundreds Of coffee plantations. Long
mule trains loaded with coffee. each
mule carrying 260-pound coffee sack,
now come down to the highway from
the mountain plantations and trans
fer their loads TO trucks bound for San
tiago. The leaders are almost always
belied and the sound Of the bells as the
train makes its way down through the
narrow passes Is q never ending pleasure
to newcomers In Cubs.