THECUBAREVIEW 13 



have been visiting there in the past. This will obviate the necessity of barging carjvo, 

 as has previously been necessary. The demand for lumber has prompted the de- 

 velopment of that industry in the Isle of Pines to a much greater extent than was ever 

 undertaken before. The Isle of Pines has much stantling timber, principally pine, 

 and it is imderstood that large operations are about to be undertaken for the cutting 

 of many million feet. 



The Isle of Pines also recently came into the limelight by the act of a Northern 

 business man who made a cash deposit of some $90,000.00 to cover the initial pay- 

 ment of concessions obtained by the company which he represents. This company is 

 contemplating a large operation there in the near future. 



- DIPLOMATIC ACTinTIES: The Swiss Minister to the United States and 

 Cuba presented his credentials to President Menocal on May 6th, as did also the 

 new French Minister to Cuba. The ceremonies were conducted in the usual extensive 

 form and greetings were exchanged between Cuba's President and the Presidents of 

 Switzerland and France. The Swiss Minister to Cuba, who is also assigned to the 

 Embassy in Washington, presented his credentials to President Menocal before being 

 received by President Wilson on account of the latter's long extended illness. 



On April 2Sth the American Minister to Cuba, Honorable Boaz W. Long, gave a 

 reception at the American Legation to the new Minister to Cuba from Italy, who had 

 presented his credentials to President Menocal on the morning of the same day. 



The new Mexican Minister, Sr. Hernandez Ferrer, presented his credentials to 

 the Secretary of State on April 24th. 



On IMay 19th, the birthday of King Alfonzo XIII of Spain, a celebration was 

 held in the Spanish Legation in Havana. Many prominent Spanish residents in 

 Cuba were present and felicitations were cabled his Majesty by the Spanish Minister 

 in Cuba, Sr don Alfredo de Mariategui. 



LOCAL EVENTS: The great tenor, Caruso, arrived at Havana from Key West 

 on the morjiing of May 5th. A large croAvd was assembled at the wharf to see him. 

 Caruso made his debut here on the night of the 12th inst. in "Martha," which was 

 followed by a matinee performance of the same delightful opera. He will give in 

 all ten performances while here, for which he is to receive .$100,000.00. 



The illustrious Spanish novelist, Sr. Vicente Blasco Ibanoz, arrived in Havana 

 on May Sth. The author of the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse"' spent several 

 days here and was greatly interested in Havana. He has since gone back to the 

 United States, but it is understood he will return to Cuba before going home to 

 Spain to complete his new novel he is working on, the scenes of which are laid in 

 Mexico. 



A disastrous fire broke out in the Cuban Central Railways shops at Sagua la 

 Grande, causing damage estimated at $1,250,000.00 to equipment which was contained 

 therein, among which were twenty locomotives, all completely destroyed. The 

 fire was caused by the explosion of a tank of oxygen which was used in fusing and 

 welding iron and steel. The loss of these twenty locomotives is a serious blow to the 

 railroad, since its rolling stock has been below normal for some time. 



The world-wide paper shortage which has been growing more acute from time 

 to time has been felt in Cuba as well as in other countries and for a time it was 

 feared that in view of the news print shortage considerable curtailment in the 

 newspapers would have to be undertaken. However, the arrival of the Shipping 

 Board vessel, "Lake Butler," on May 7th, which brought a full cargo of news print 

 paper, greatly relieved the situation as far as Havana is concerned, and the supply 

 now on hand is ample for the needs of all publications in Cuba, for the next six 

 months. 



The Compania Cubana de Jarcia (Cuban Cordage Company) has considerably 



