THE CUBA REVIEW. 



over your head are clouds, a mere handful, and the rain falls just there, but the rest 

 of the heavens is tranquil and clear. 



The beginnings of Cuba's real existence are linked with the advent to her shores in 

 October, 1492, of a colossal figure, that of Christopher Columbus. From that period, 

 Cuba began to mark time, with a feeble rhythm at first, but with stronger and stronger 

 beat as the centuries rolled on. 



Prior to 1492, historians tell us the Indian inhabitants of the island lived a quiet, 

 peaceful life. We are told they were gentle, hospitable and docile, but disinclined te 

 any more effort than was required to maintain an easy, slothful existence. The island 

 was known then as Cuba, an Indian name, though Columbus on landing, promptly 

 named it Juana in honor of the eldest daughter of his sovereigns. After King Ferdinand's 

 death the island was called Fernandina. and later on was named Santiago in honor of 

 Spain's patron saint. Still later the inhabitants to show their piety named it Ave Maria. 

 Notwithstanding these several titles, it is to-day known as Cuba, a name which in all 

 probability it is destined to retain. 



At Columbus' time the island was divided into nine principalities under different 

 caciques, all independent of each other, and yet such was the pacific disposition of the 

 people, the utmost tranquillity usually prevailed. But the invaders soon changed all that 

 and troublous times came until 151 1, when an expedition came from Spain purposely to 

 conquer and possess all the territory, in which they naturally succeeded, by reason of 

 their superior armament and methods, killing, it is said, some 500,000 natives in the 

 process. Few traces of the original inhabitants are now to be found, although in the 

 interior towns one may find a few descendants. Dating from these ancient days are the 

 principal towns of the island. Columbus believing he had reached the shores of India, 



blundered into the Bay of Nuevitas, the same year. 

 To a river near there he gave the name of San 

 Salvador, having but recently left that place. The 

 river to-day is known as the Maximo, and the en- 

 trance is still called "Boca de las Carabelas" (en- 

 trance of the vessels). He also touched at Baracoa, 

 giving the name of Alpha and Omego to the point 

 now known as Cape Maisi, still believing that he 

 had reached the extreme point of Asia. 



Two years later he came to Cubi again, reach- 

 ing Guantanamo Bay, which he called Puerto 

 Grande. Baracoa and Bayamo came into existence 

 about this time and in 151 1 Trinidad, Santo Espiritu 

 and Puerto Principe, and four years later, Santiago 

 (Ic Cuba and Havana, and in 1545 San Juan de los 

 Remedies. There has been little change in these 

 towns and the flavor of antiquity is everywhere 

 noticeable. Guanabacoa over the way from Havana 

 sprang into existence in 1545 and what is more im- 

 portant, with the conquering expeditions came the 

 introduction of sugar cane which has made Cuba 

 so enormously rich. 



In 1538 De Soto's ill fated expeditions to con- 

 quer Florida left Havana from which the brilliant 

 leader never returned. 



Thereafter nothing very startling occurred until 

 1762, when the English took Havana and Matanzas 

 and the island. They imported negro labor and 

 ^ct things going. There was a large emigration from 

 Florida and Santo Domingo to Cuba, which ma- 

 terially aided matters, and the Floridians brought 

 over bees and established the honey industry. 

 Honey and wax exportations of Cuba cut no small 

 figure in her annual exports. (She sold $776,000 

 worth in the fiscal year ending June 30, 1905. — Edi- 



COURTSHIP IN CUBA. 



