10 THE CUBA REVIEW 



banking institutions and as yet there are no hopes of any report or other informatioi 

 forthcoming for some time. In spite of all the obstacles, however, which have beer 

 encountered in the business world during the past eighteen months, the future is ver) 

 promising and business shows increasing signs of a healthy revival. Naturally, sue! 

 incidents as the Upmann failure tend to retard the normal return of commercial activity 

 and postpones just that much longer the long hoped for return to pre-war conditions 



Taking everything into consideration, it may be truthfully said that today Cuba i 

 in a much better condition and shows more likelihood of a business and trade revival 

 than at any time since the advent of the moratorium in October, 1920. 



Political Matters: The first year of President Zayas's administration ha 

 passed. There is also a strong feeling that if the President had been allowed a free 

 hand much more could have been accomplished, but he has met with a great deal of 

 opposition from the legislative bodies in passing recommended legislation. 



Probably the most important question still to be settled is the problem of the 

 budget for the ensuing fiscal year which will come up for discussion in congress within 

 a few days. There will most likely be a strong opposition to the wishes of the 

 President to prune the operating expenses in the various departments, but in view of 

 the large falling off in revenues, congress must recognize, at least in part, the wishes 

 of the President to effect the greatest economy in public expenditures until the Republic 

 has finally emerged from the depression of the past year or so. 



Rumors of pending cabinet changes occur from time to time. As yet, however, 

 the original cabinet named by President Zayas upon his taking office is still intact, 

 although according to rumors originating from what may be considered fairly reliable 

 sources, a few changes may be looked for within the very near future. 



Marianao Bathing Beach Opens with Many Innovations: The new bathing 

 beach at the Playa de Marianao was officially opened the second Sunday in May with 

 many modern improvements associated with northern bathing resorts. A new and com- 

 plete system of lettering and numbering the bath houses has been inaugurated and 

 excellent restaurant service is provided for those who may wish to spend the day at the 

 beach. A large dancing pavilion has also been built which will be operated on Saturday 

 and Sunday afternoons. The welfare of the bathers will be ably looked after by the 

 American Red Cross, which has provided a quota of life guards to patrol the beach during 

 bathing hours. 



Y. M. C. A. Drive for Funds Completely Successful: After a four-day intensive 

 drive for a fund of $15,000 with which to make much needed improvements and to carry 

 on the work of the Association in Havana, the local branch of the Young Men's Christian 

 Association reports the drive as having been a complete success. The raising of the funds 

 was entrusted to a committee of representative business men of the city, and their success 

 may be judged from the gratifying results of the drive. 



Knights Templar Visit Havana: Two commanderies of the Knights Templar 

 visited Havana early in May, having made the side trip to Cuba after the close of the 

 national conclave of that Society held in New Orleans. After being entertained lavishly 

 by the local Knights they returned home, having expressed their delight at the beauty of 

 the capitol city of the Republic. 



Old Landmark Demolished: The giant derrick near the Machine wharf, com- 

 monly known as "La Machina," has been taken down to provide space for a new pier 

 being constructed. This derrick, or shear legs pier, as it was commonly called, was one of 

 the old landmarks of the city. 



Major Rowan May Receive Decoration: Every one will recall the episode of 

 Major Andrew S. Rowan during the Spanish-American War at the time of the occupation 

 of Cuba by the American forces, which incident was made famous by the late Elbert 

 Hubbard in his "Message to Garcia." The Board of Awards of the U. S. War Department 

 is now considering awarding a medal to Major Rowan, who has since retired and is living 

 in Berkely, California. 



Red Cross Organizes Life Guard Crew: Sixteen expert swimmers and experts in 



it 



