PREFACE So many volumes have been devoted to accounts of the history and descriptions of the physical features of Cuba, that an adequate excuse could hardly be found for an addition to them. On the other hand, the more important considerations of the Island's natural resources, industrial development and present condition of its people, have had but scanty attention at the hands of writers. During the past decade there has been a great increase in American emigration to Cuba and in the investment of American money there, with the result that the interest of our people in the country, which was formerly of an abstract character, has become practical and specific. There exists in the United States a wide-spread desire for information regarding the progress, prospects and present-day conditions of Cuba, which it has been my chief design to supply. In the following pages the history and geography of the country have been sketched with special reference to their essential influence upon its development. Aside from this necessary introduction to an understanding of Cuban affairs, I have given my attention mainly to the established and prospective industries of the Island and to the fields offered by them to American capital and American settlers. Forbes Lindsay. Santiago De Cuba, August, 1911. CONTENTS PAOE Preface vii II. The History or Cuba 22i III. The History or Cuba (Continued) ... 43 V. The People or The Country 83 \ VI. The People or The Country (Continued) . . 102 VII. The Condition or Cuba 120 X. Cuba's Tobacco Industry 195 XI. Cuba's Mineral Resources 200 XI I. Latent Agricultural Wealth .... 216 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS A Curan Coubtship (See pagt 9t) . . FrontUpitct Map Of Cura 1 River Scene, Isle Of Pines 9 The Famous Palms Of Camaouey 7 A Street In Santiago De Cura 10 "Over Thirty Species Of Palm Are Found In The Island" 12 President's Palace, Harana 18 Bayamo 98 The Prado, Harana • 36 The Water - Front, Harana 46 Mountain Road In The Province Of Orients . . 52 View Of Baire, Near Bayamo, From The Cuban Trenches 66 Street Scene, Santiago De Cura 75 Morro Castle From Central Park, Harana ... 83 Country Homes Of Wealthy Curans .... 89 "Her World Is Contained In The Town Of Which She Is Resident" 96 Young Cane - Field, With Banana Grove In The DisTance 100 A Narrow Street, Harana 109 A Curan Milkman 114 Sugar - Cane Ready For Cutting 129 An Ideal Road For The Motorist 124 An Avenue Of Palms 128 xi |