The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-01


Mining company's Iron Ocean Pier and
Railway Held by Our Troops--vsIue OF
the Cuban's Staying Powers.
The landing place Of our troops in
southeastern Cuba was near the mouth
OF small stream known as the Arroyo
Baiquiri. Near the spot there is an in.
dentation in the coast, Offering fair
anchorage. The iron ocean pier of the
Jurngua Mining company is close by.
The mining company is an American
corporation, having nearly 80. 900, 600
invested in plant, railway and build.
ings. The nearly pure high grade iron
orc is blasted out Of q mountain Of it.
The property belongs to a Cuban, and
the company pays royalty on every
ton shipped. Part Of it is shipped from
the mines to the coast pier referred to,
but the greater part seeks an outlet by
way of the harbor Of Santiago. Part is
shipped to Philadelphia for the Bethlo-
hem Iron works, and part goes TO Balti-
more.
That American enterprise should have
developed that part Of eastern Cuba by
opening up many miles OF it by sub
stantially constructed coastal railway,
with two valuable piers, one on the
coast and one in Santiago harbor itself,
to the Spaniards may seem to DO the
irony Of fate. That railway, with its
many engines and hundreds of ore cars,
today will have strategic value of the
first importance. It means an iron way
from our base Of supplies to the harbor
pier midway between the city Of Santi-
ago de Cuba and its now famous MORO
ON the eastern entrance to tho narrow
and tortuous channel in the harbor.
The distance from the coast TO the old
time pueblo or town Of Baiquiri Is Just
three English miles. From the latter
the temporary headquarters Of our men
to Demajayabo tho inland and upland
terminus Of the railway, is another three
miles.
Juragua, or Iarnguay, the main min
ing camp Is about q mile and q half
from the coast. It has everything that
one would expect Co find in q mining
camp, including hospital for the men.
Previous to this instruction the major
ity Of the mon were hardy Spaniards
from the rural parts of Spain. The
length Of the railway from the iron pier
In Santiago hsrbor TO Demajayabo is
just 10 English miles, not including
miles Of shdnting lines or silings.
II seems fair to assume that the whole
eastern terminus, including the many
useful buildings, are in our possession.
The country there is very rough, and
the coast line is hot and fever stricken,
but tho hills we'll inland, beyond the
mesa, or tablelsnds, are swept by pure
ocean breezes While the DAYS arc hot
and sultry during the wet season now
on the nights are cool and sleep is rest
full and refreshing.
Tho railway pier at the western ter |
minus in Santiago harbor is ON n head
land projecting well into the harbor.
Just below the pier and iieadland the |
shore OF the bay runs inland almost ~
quarter Of a mile. The worry substantial |
and costly iron pier is lofty and runs
we'll out into tho channel. Ocean going
steamers load ut its side The hillside
from which it runs occupies a cona-
position of strategic impor-
tance. 1t lies just midway between tho
city and El MORO. The main military
road connecting the city with the forti-
Iications nc III MORO and tho battery at
Estrella point passes Just inside the
shore end OF the pier. The position onco
taken by our men. tho two Notifications
will be isolntcd from that city. Any
forcs holding such a point will COM
mand the channel opposite IL.
Having secured the best possible
working base In all eastern Cuba, let us
glance at the map and SEQ what clse
may BE- realized By extending onr lines.
The little town OF III Cancy lies about
10 miles northwest cf Baiuuiri. II Is
INC of the tefmini Of the III Cristo rail.
way, n rteular bread gauge milwny
connecting a number Of inland points
with Santiago city A march through
he hills and mountains ending in the
'apture of III Caney would give us an.
,ther railway ~ be- used in Investing
he city proper The city station OF this