THE CUBA REVIEW 



Havara to San Cristobcl for the international road race, and tliat he had so informed the 

 officers of the International Automobile Racing Association of Cuba. 



Ways and means were at once discussed as to the raising of funds and for the 

 management of the races. Mr. Conill (it can be said) bore the brunt of the above propo- 

 sition strongly aided by Mr. Mendoza. 



Owing to the recent unsettled condition in tlic Island it was found impracticable to 

 arrange a tournament this winter 1907, but may he in 1908 the road races may 

 be again resumed. Judging from a statement recently made by Mr. Mendoza, some 

 solid support will have to be given in a financial way by the Havana people, especially 

 the hotels and merchants, before another tournament can be announced. 



The racing both winters was fair, and the only drawback to a complete success, was 

 accidents caused chiefly by the roads with which the foreign ckivers were not 

 familiar. The Cuban driver seemed to have the best of it, as they were able to negotiate 

 the road much better than were the foreigners. 



So much for the racing part of Cuban automobiling. 



A far more important vista is that of automobile touring in Cuba. Recently the 

 writer has received several letters asking for information about Cuban roads, and if it 

 was safe to take a car there. I have given in answer, all the information possessed by 

 me at>d have assured my correspondents that it was perfectly safe to take an auiomobile 

 to Cuba, and that about Havana alone, the roads offer inducements for most charming drives. 



One of the chief drives, as everybody knows, is San Cristobel. 90 miles from Havana. 



Then there is a branch road from Guanajay to Mariel, one of the most delightful 

 side trips imaginable. I believe it would be possible to go with a car from San Cristobel 

 to Pinar del Rio, as I have been over part of the trail on horseback. The Cuban Gov- 

 ernment I believe made all plans to extend the Havana. San Cristobel road to Pinar 

 del Rio and I saw the bridge masonry work over streams in many places, showing that 

 the proposition is under way. 



The trip to Vento Springs, a few miles out of Havana, is also a very good road and 

 it is often visited by automobile tourists. Then of course, there is the famous Prado 

 and Melicon drive at Havana. 



It is safe to say, that the Cuban Government, whatever it may be, will surely see to 

 it that "good roads" country in Cuba will not be neglected, and I think the increase of 

 automobiling on the Island, especially in Havana, will do much good in spreading the 

 gospel of "good roads," which means more to Cubans than it does to most other peoples, 

 as the climate there is delightful and the attractions superior to most places. 



One of the finest automobile rides the writer has ever had, was one evening through 

 Mariel to Havana, some 50 miles. It was a moonlight night and the drive in the hon- 

 orable Horatio Reuben's White steamer was something to be remembered while life lasts. 



The one great point in Cuban automobiling is that it is a dry climate in winter and 

 very little rain falls, judging from the weather bureau reports and the writer's personal 

 observation. Then the facilities of getting to Cuba are excellent, especially with an 

 automobile. They can be shipped by steamer and landed at the docks in Havana. It is 

 my belief that automobiling in Cuba will be a most important part of that country's 

 life in a very few years, and while the cars in the north are practically frozen in, there 

 will be speeding under the warm skies in the beautiful Isle of Cuba. 



Christmas in Cuba. 



The Midnight Mass. Traditional Provincial Dancing and 



Singing. 



IX Cuba the advent of Christmas is heralded for several weeks before, by flocks of turkeys 

 with fierj'- red crests, emitting their loud "gobble, gobble." as they are driven through 

 streets by a rustic flourishing a light whip to keep them together, while they hop 

 along gingerly, like a maid with mincing gait. Squealing pigs, and grunting swine 

 are also thus exhibited, and cooks and house-maids hasten out doors to make their 

 selection for the Christmas supper. Roast turkey, and a barbecued suckling pig with 

 a lemon in his mouth and a twist in his tail, are the traditional dishes for the ceita de 

 noche bueiia. Cubans celebrate Christmas Eve with a supper as a family reunion 

 instead of Christmas dinner as Americans do. For weeks before hand, turkevs are 



