The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-04-07
THE GIBRALTAR OF CUBA.
The Seat of Government of the Cuban
Republic is Said to be Impreg-
nabIe.


Cubitas, pronounced Koobetas, with
the accent on the second syllable,
although almost unknown to the out
side world, is, for many reasons, one
of the most important and most inter-
esting localities on the island of Cuba
First, because it has been chosen for
the seat of government of the Cuban
republic, Second, because nature has
made it not only one of the most
beautiful places on the face of tho
globe, but at the same time it is alb
solutely impregnable from the assault
of any ordinary force which could be
brought to bear against it.
The Sierra de Cubitas is in fact
another Gibraltar, rising almost alb
ruptly from the beautiful rolling plains
OF Camaguey. Although spoken of as
the mountains'Of Cubitas lit is really an
elevated plateau, rising to an altitude
OF perhaps 700 feet and forming the
arc of circle, with its concave side
facing the Atlantic ocean, or rather
that arm of the ocean known to nav
gators as the Old Bahama Channel.
This plateau, or table land, has a
length from east to west of about IS
miles, it's width vary from one to
three miles. The view in any Gircc-
tion is magnificent. Beautiful rolling
prairies, dotted with charming groves
OF cocoanut and royal palmes, sweep
away from the base OF the Cubitas
Twenty miles to the north can be seen
the dark blues OF the sea.
TO tho southwark lies that interest
ing relic of the 10Th century, the city
of Puerto Principe, with its Spanish
garrison of 10000 soldiers. But they
never dream of molesting the seat Of
the Cuban government, although dis
tant only days march. The Spanish
commanders know too we'll that an at
tack on Cubtas would bring them
nothing but death and disaster. The
place is defended today by less than
1000 insurgents, belonging to the de-
partment OF General Garlic. but even
If deprived OF arms and ammunition
they could successfully defend this nat
urnl fortress with loose rocks picked
from the ground.
The approaches from the plain below
gradually terminate in narrow defiles,
which turn and twist, rise and fall
until riders of the nimble and sure
footed Cuban ponies are compelled to
| dismOunt, and in single file lead their
animals to the top. A thousand points
of advantage could be found where
| rocks, hurled down the precipitous
sides, would annihilate any enemy
| sent against the place.
Nor could the defenders be starved
out. This beautiful and fertile plateau
is now under perfect cultivation. Here
are raised sweet potatoes, peas, beans,
sassaya, from which excellent bread is
made, and fruit grows in abundance.
The table land of Cubitas is Il veritable
military garden, in which President
| Cisneros takes q very pardODable
pride. In fact, the majority of the in
surgents who garrison the place spend
| most of their time tilling tho soil and
gathering the crops. When this duty
becomes irksome and soldier longs
for active service in the field, he is ex
changed for some poor fellow who
after weeks of hard riding, is glad o
a little rest. Cubitas, with its superb
climate evennin summer is an excellen
place in which to recover from irritat
ing wounds and over-fatigue.
From the top of this plateau Presi
dent Cisneros and his cabinet admins
ter the laws of the new republic
Couriers mounted on fleet Camague,
horses, whose ancestors came Owe
from Arabia. come and go every hou
OF the day and night. In this way tn,
government is made aware OF ever,
movement anticipated or executed~b,
the various generals In command, an,
orders are re'transmitted to them will
precision and dispatch.