THE CUBA REVIEW 



GRAND OPERA IN HAVANA: Director Bracale of the National Theatre of 

 Havana lias secured the services of Enrique Caruso for eight performances in this 

 city in grand opera. The engagement will start about May 10th. Tliis contract, 

 which carries a remuneration of $10,000.00 per performance for tlie world-famous 

 tenor, is said to call for the highest figure ever paid him for a like engagement. 

 The National Theatre, in which Caruso will appear, is said to rank fourth among 

 the finest Opera Houses in the world. 



AUTO RACES: The auto races which were scheduled for April 3d and ith 

 and 10th and 11th were held on April 17th and 18th and April 21th and 25th on 

 account of heavy rains which put the track in such condition as to prohibit the 

 attainment of any great speed. 



Among the world-famous contestants were Louis Chevrolet, Ralph de Palma, 

 Tommy Milton, Eddy Hearne (who drove the Oldfield "Golden Submarine"), Joe 

 Boyer, Ira Vail and Barney Oldfield, who was scheduled to act as official starter, 

 but on account of a previous engagement was forced to return to the United States. 



Great interest was manifested by the supporters of Ralph de Palma and Louis 

 Chevrolet, and in the initial contest between these two famous drivers Chevrolet 

 gained the victory. However, the following day de Palma defeated Chevrolet in 

 a very exciting ten-mile contest. The third race was not run, due to the fact that 

 Chevrolet had to leave for Indianapolis, where he had an engagement to compete 

 on the world-famous speedway of that city. 



The races were attended by many enthusiastic crowds and Havana witnessed 

 by far the most exciting contests which have ever been held in this city. All 

 these famous auto speed kings were loud in their praise of the one-mile dirt track 

 on which races were held. General Manager Bruen has promised a very enter- 

 taining program for next year, when a large number of races will be held for 

 large purses. 



INCREASE IN TAXICAB FARES: On account of the high prices maintaining 

 for gasoline, the municipal authorities have granted an increase of from 20 to SOc 

 per ride for the licensed taxicabs which operate in such large numbers in the city 

 of Havana. 



PliAYA DE MARIANAO BATHING BEACH: It is apparent that the people 

 of Havana will again be deprived of bathing privileges at the Playa de Marianao- 

 this summer, as they were last year, on account of the failure of the Playa Company 

 to make the improvements which they promised for the concession which, they se- 

 cured. The beach at Marianao is practically the only recreation place Havana has 

 for summer bathers. The Company which secured the concession to improve this 

 wonderful property has to date failed to effect the improvements as outlined in the 

 contract when this privilege was granted. Surf bathing is very popular among the 

 inhabitants of Havana and the failure to provide the proper facilities at the beach 

 will work a hardship on the people here. 



AIRPLANE ROUTES: For the purpose of studying the route that will be 

 traversed by the Goliath Farman Planes which will engage in passenger and 

 freight carrying service between Havana and Santiago de Cuba, the promoters of 

 this project, the Cuban Aero Company, are arranging to send out a small plane 

 'xvhich will make several stops between Havana and Cienfuegos and other cities 

 along the route. This machine will be piloted by the French aviator, Lieut. Lucien 

 Coupet, carrying some freight and one passenger. This is the first time that freight 

 and passengers have been carried by an aeroplane in Cuba. Regular service between 

 Havana and Santiago de Cuba will be established by this Company as soon as 

 arrangements have been completed. 



BRANCH OF BOSTON UNIA^ERSITY: In our last letter we mentioned the 



