10 THE CUBA REVIEW 



The upper part of the edifice was occupied by the schools of the Centro Asturiano, 

 which fortunately had not been opened for the day. The Campoamor Theatre was 

 formerly known as the Albisu but about three years ago it was entirely rebuilt and 

 made fireproof, with the result that when the fire took place the theatre building was 

 saved, although considerable damage was done to the interior by the smoke and also 

 the water thrown by the firemen. The theatre will reopen as soon as necessary re- 

 pairs can be made. It is understood that a large modern building will be erected on 

 the site of the burned block as soon as arrangements can be made to do so. 



AEROPLANES. — Last month there arrived by freight nine aeroplanes for the 

 Cuban Aviation Corps, the members of which, as advised in previous letters, are now 

 in the United States undergoing training at Government aviation fields. 



SUBMARINE CHASERS.— On Nov. 5th four submarine chasers built by the 

 American Government for Cuba arrived here under convoy of the Cuban training 

 ship "Patria". These submarine chasers were formally delivered by the United 

 States there to a representative of the Cuban Government and were then officered 

 and manned by Cubans who had gone North to be trained in the handling of these 

 vessels. 



OBLIGATORY MILITARY SERVICE.— Registration is still going on but slowly 

 and it is stated that on account of the present European war situation it may not be 

 necessary to carry out all of the original provisions of this law. 



BRITISH RED CROSS BAZAAR.— On Nov. 9th a bazaar to secure funds for the 

 British Red Cross was held at the "Quinta de los Molinos" on the outskirts of Havana. 

 There was a very large attendance, including the President of the Republic and the 

 Ministers of the different allied nations and a considerable sum was realized as a 

 result of the entertainment. 



CONDENSED MILK. — At a meeting of Food Administration officials and im- 

 porters of condensed milk held on October 17th, it was arranged to handle importa- 

 tions of this commodity in the same way that wheat flour is being handled ; namely, the 

 War Trade Board at Washington will decide upon an allotment of condensed milk for 

 Cuba, shipments will come consigned to the Food Administrator and he will arrange 

 for distributing same to the different importers. There is at present a considerable 

 shortage of condensed milk here and steps are being taken to increase the imports 

 although there seems to be a sufficient stock of evaporated milk. 



FABRICA CUBANA DE AUTOMOVILES Y CAMIONES.— This company, whose 

 organization has been rumored for some time back as previously reported, was incorp- 

 orated in Havana last month and it was announced they will put up a plant to manu- 

 facture automobiles and auto trucks, as their name indicates. 



CANE FIELD LABOR. — In view of the prospective shortage of hands to work in 

 the cane fields, as mentioned in former letters, the representative of the United States 

 War Trade Board has offered to see what can be done in connection with the furnish- 

 ing of laborers from Porto Rico and to this end a circular letter has been sent by the 

 Cuban Department of Agriculture to all sugar mills asking them to furnish as 

 promptly as possible a statement of the number of laborers they need for the coming 

 crop. 



THANKSGIVING DAY CELEBRATION.— The Cuban Government is preparing 

 a celebration in Havana on November 28th, Thanksgiving Day, in honor of the United 

 States and its soldiers. The principal feature will be a large parade in which will take 

 part various military and civic elements as well as the Cuban recruits under the com- 

 pulsory military service law. 



SCARCITY OF HOUSES.— Notwithstanding the vast amount of building, both 

 for commercial and private uses, which we have continually been reporting, the supply 

 of houses to rent does not keep up with the demand, this holding true not only in 

 Havana but in some of the suburbs, particularly Vedado. In fact, recently advertise- 



