r ]{ E CUB A R E A' I E W 



methods if they are not too laborious — 

 the laziest people in the world, but by no 

 means the slowest. 



"I sent to the States for a trap drum 

 outtit and picked out a man to use it. He 

 is progressing rapidly, but it is principally 

 for the reason that be has suddenly be- 

 come conspicuous in the orchestra, and 

 the attention he attracts appeals greatly 

 to his vanity. By the use of a little 'con' 

 I have secured results which surprise even 

 myself, and although I have had a few 

 arguments with individuals, the majorit}' 

 of them are extremely courteous and help 

 me in every possible manner. With abso- 

 lutely no knowledge of Spanish when I 

 first came here, I have at all times been 

 able to make myself understood, musically, 

 and from constant practice for a period 

 of more than two months, we now have 

 an orchestra which does remarkably and 

 which is connnented upon by the public 

 to a considerable degree. The playing 

 of American music is very much appre- 

 ciated, and at the first performance we 

 played a 'rag' number, which was the occa- 

 sion of much applause. 



"The native music is very reminiscent of 

 the Moorish and Oriental style, as near 

 as I can describe it, and is very irregular 

 as to meter and rhythm. Xo good motifs 

 are obtainalile and while i)laying for their 



native dance (the "Rumba"), there is main- 

 tained a sort of accompaniment bv the 

 strings and gourds, while individual reeds 

 and brasses play improvised melodies 

 which at times include well-know^n opera 

 tunes. 



"The statements I have incorporated in 

 this article may seem strange to the 

 readers of the International Musician, but 

 they are not overdrawn in any particular. 



"The musicians here are a highly re- 

 spected lot of citizens, and they read con- 

 siderably about our American bands and 

 orchestras, but very few of them migrate 

 to the States, and those that do. stay 

 there. 



"The Rural Guard has five bands, and 

 onlv one of these is a marching band." 



DECLARED CONTRABAND 



Maxim "Silencers" on firearms are de- 

 clared to be contraband, by Secretary 'Sia- 

 chado, of the department of government, 

 and a decree has been issued by him allow- 

 ing fifteen days from December 15th for 

 the turning- in of all such instruments. 



Penalty of confiscation and deliver}* to 

 the courts is imposed on all who do not 

 obey the order. The importation, sale and 

 use in any form is prohibited. 



Small deer are very plentiful in Cuba, so much so in ^^m- rpctiiin<-. a- to become a n-.iir.ance. especially 

 where there are gardens. They are easily tamed. 



