The Educational System of Cuba--Influences of Clericalism--Work of General Wood and Mr. Frye--Cooperation of Harvard University--Dr. Lincoln de Zayas--The Teaching of English--Progress Under President Menocal--Scope of the System--Some Special Schools--Normal Schools--The Institute of Havana--The National University--Cooperation with the United States--The Free Public Library. CHAPTER XXXV. OCEAN TRANSPORTATION.....376 Importance of Ocean Transportation to the Insular Republic--Development of the United Fruit Company--The Ward Line and Its Fleet--A Network of Communications with All Parts of the World--Service of the Munson Line--The Peninsular and Occidental Company--The Railroad Ferry Service from Key West to Cuba--The Pinillos Izquierdo Line from Spain--The Morgan or Southern Pacific Line--The Great Fleet of the Compagnie General Transatlantique--A New Line from Japan--Customs Regulations--The Consular Service of Cuba. CHAPTER XXXVI. AMERICAN COLONIES IN CUBA.....390 American Colonies in Cuba--Founded After the War of Independence--Pernicious Activities of Unscrupulous American Speculators--Heroic Efforts of Illfounded Colonies--The Story of La Gloria and Its Neighbors--Colonization of the Isle of Pines--The Colony of Herradura--Various Colonies in Oriente--Inducements to Further Colonization. ILLUSTRATIONS FULL PAGE PLATES Francisco de Fri _Frontispiece_ FACING PAGE The Vinales Valley 36 San Juan River, Matanzas 54 On the Cauto River 92 National Theatre, Central Park, Havana 144 The Gomez Building 190 Pablo Desvernine 284 In New Havana 296 Colon Park 306 An Avenue of Palms 326 Grand Central Railway Station, Havana 354 Leopoldo Cancio 362 The Chamber of Commerce, Havana 376 TEXT EMBELLISHMENTS City Hall and Plaza, Cardenas Page 56 A Mountain Road, Oriente “ 84 Cuban Rural Home “ 145 Fruit Vender, Havana “ 209 THE HISTORY OF CUBA CHAPTER I THE PEOPLE OF CUBA In the last analysis, of course, the people of a country have much to do in making it what it is, or what it may be. From them must come the life, energy, character and development. They will regulate its social standing and fulfill the promise of its future. Society in Cuba, as in nearly all long settled countries, is many sided, and while resembling, more or less, that of all civilized communities, certain racial traits stand out prominently in the Island Republic.