Music: Invasion of Cuba

The Government of Cuba, through its Charge d’Affaires at Washington, Arturo Padro, formally invited the New York Symphony Orchestra, under the baton of Walter Damrosch, to appear in a series of concerts at Havana in January.

Mr. Harry Harkness Flagler, President of the Symphony Society of New York, accepted, couching his reply in the following faultless diplomatic language:

“I beg to say that we accept the invitation with true appreciation of the honor shown us by your Government. May I ask you to convey to the Cuban Secretary of State my acknowledgement of the official recognition of the projected visit of the organization with which I am connected, and my earnest hope that the concerts of the Symphony Society of New York to be given in Havana under the auspices of the ‘Sociedad Pro Arte Musical’ may not only bring closer together the musical interests of our respective countries, but may serve as a reminder of the friendship in which we hold our sister Republic.”