Honolulu Star Bulletin

Chinese Players
Make
Good Record In Cuba

Locals Meet Many Star Teams in Great Contests in Land
Where Baseball Ranks First Almendares Team One of
Best in Island--Lai Tin Describes Trip Along Great Flagler
Railroad in Florida Members of Team Enjoy Trip to Cuba

(By W. Lai Tin)
September 29. Arrangements had
been made for the team's trip to Cuba
and on Tuesday, the 29th, we
were all ready for the train. Our
baggage was checked right through to
Key West.
Left for West Philadelphia, where
at 10:35 we caught the Washington
Limited, and after three hours riding
we arrived in the capital.
We tried to make arrangements to
leave on the night train, but as all
plans had been made before, we had
to take our Pullman and leave im-
mediately for Key West.
There was a large parade at the
capital which we wanted to see, but
found it impossible. On our way to
the South we could see the Capitol
building, the beautiful parks and
Washington's monument, and although
we could not see the whole city we
were satisfied with going through it
and were amazed with the beauty of
the Capitol building as it stood out
against the skies.
The ride was long and tiresome and
at every station the boys would all
run out for a little airing. The time
was broken up with the playing of our
instruments and singing, and when we
grew tired of that we would turn to
playing cards.
Had our first Pullman ride in five
months and felt a little strange after
our comfortable beds in New York to
sleep in a moving bed.
The next day was a duplicate of the
day before and we were getting a lit-
tle tired sitting in the close quarters.
The scenery was nothing extra as the
forest was the only thing visible and
was something like home, being iron-
wood trees.
At 1 o'clock we arrived at Jackson-
ville, Fla., where we stayed for half
an hour. The boys all hopped out of
the train and were seen taking pic-
tures beside the largest locomotive
in the station. Pictures were taken of
the station and the people.
Continued our train and spent anoth-
er night on the Pullman. On awaken-
ing we were at the tip of Florida prop-
er and then started on across the
ocean on a bridge seven miles long.
It certainly is a wonderful piece of
engineering and it took quite a few
years to build. The bridge itself is of
concrete, and the railway bed is per-
fect.
Most of the time was spent in
watching the fish and once in a while
we would catch a glimpse of one of
those awful creatures, Mr. Shark,
swimming alongside the train.
From the beginning of this wonder
ful bridge to Key West it took about
three hours and most of the time was
spent going over bridges, and at 8:30
o'clock we arrived at Key West, our
last stop before embarking for Ha-
vana.
The boat being late most of the boys
went to the city of Key West and had
a view of the city built on a tiny
island in the Atlantic ocean.
We were handed custom papers and
the rules were read. Nobody is al-
lowed to bring more than a hundred
dollars' worth of merchandise to the
United States without paying duty.
Only 300 cigarettes or 50 cigars could
be allowed in the United States with-
out duty being paid on them.
Caught the boat at 10:30 and had a
ride across the Atlantic ocean. It was
a fine trip as the water was very calm.
The boat was the size of the Kilauea
and it took eight hours to go across
to Havana, about 90 miles.
At 6:30 o'clock we were entering the
beautiful harbor of Havana. As we ap-
proached the dock launches were
around the boat with music. The Chi-
nese of the city hired a boat and set
off fireworks.
The whole waterfront was lined with
people anxious to see us. After being
inspected we were carried into four
machines and hurried by the richest
Chinese to their society and were giv-
en a warm reception. The crowd
surged around and tried to talk to us
but to no avail; we could not under-
stand a single word they said for they
all spoke Spanish.
We were taken to our hotel and
were fortunate to be placed with a
few who could speak English, the
Hotel America.
The boys retired quite early as we
had to play the next day at Alman-
dares park against the Vedado Tennis
Club.
October 2.-Met the fast Vedado
Tennis Club and in a fine exhibition of
baseball were beaten 3-1. The game
was hard fought and full of pep.
There was a crowd of 6000 at the
game and they gave us a helping hand.
The fans understand the game per-
fectly and applauded every good play.
Catcher Mark was the center of at-
traction as he was known here before
he arrived. They watched every move
he made and admired his pegging to
the bases.
The weather was terrible and the
boys could hardly move. It stood at
94 degrees and was a great deal too
hot for the boys.
Bo was on the firing line and pitched
a fairly good game though he was
touched for nine hits. The boys had
a day off with the bat, and with the
heat we were forced to take the short
end of the score.
Chinese.
Hits 1 1 2 1 0 0 1 0 0-6
Runs 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0-1
Vedado.
Hits 0 1 1 0 3 1 2 1*-9
Runs 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 0-3
The umpiring of Magrines on the
bases and Gutierreze back of the plate
was of the big league caliber, being
the best we have received while on
the tour.