The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-14
our WEST INDIAN ISLANDS.
More of Value Besides Cuba and
Porto Rico.

From the Chicago Times Herald.
The demand of the United States upon
Spain calls for the cession to the United
States not only of Porto Rico, but of all
the other West Indian Islands except
Cuba. The average man knows of but
the two great Spanish islands Cuba and
Porto Rico, but there are about a dozen
others, some Of them unimportant, but
others regarded as quite valuable.
These islands are off the coast of Cuba
and Porto Rico. The greater number of
them are near Cuba's shore, and it will
be a question for decision whether they
shall belong to the United States by the
terms of the treaty or whether they shall
be considered as part of Cuba For the
most part these islands are like the reefs
of Florida and the Bahamas. Some are
of calcareous origin, being the creation
of the same coral builders that may be
seen through the transparent waters still
at work on the marine bed. These keys
vary greatly in size, Some of them are
islands large enough to be habitable, with
fresh water for the consumption of those
who choose TO make them their dwelling
place. The largest of these reefs on the
northern shore is the Cayo Romano, with
an estimated area of $50 square miles and
It's SURFACE broken DN three nllOckS. Inc
chief industry there, and. indeed. the
only one that will thrive, is that of gath
ering salt. The island is filled with de-
pressions of from one to two feet deep.
During the storms the waves dash over
the keys and leave the depressions filed
with water. When summer COMES with
its burning sun the heat dries the water
and a deposit of salt is left. IL is be-
leved that the Cayo Romano could supply
the salt needed for the use of all Cuba.
Reefs and islets are even more numerous
off the south coast of Cuba than in the
north. Here they are farther from the
shore and less regular.
The most extensive island of the 1870
that are strewn around the Cuban seaboard
is the Isla de Plnos Qsle Of Pines), which,
indeed, is nearly as large as all of the
others put together. In the statements of
SPANS possessions, made by official
sources, ii always has place to ITSELF The
island which lies ffly miles off the south
west coast of Cuba, consists really Of two
islands, separated by a tortuous passage,
half-channel, half-swamp which winds at
a nearly uniform width for about three
miles from west to east. From east 10 west
the Isa des Pinos is sixty miles in length,
and from north to south its breadth is
ffty-fiive miles, the area being 600 square
miles. 1t is a beautiful island with ex
cellent harbors, lofty mountains, fertile
mountain known as The Sierra des IA Cana
da. rising about 900 feet above the level
of the sea and with precipices $50 fest in
height. There are also DaguiIa Mountain,
/ 500 feet in hight; the Sierra de los Cabel-
los. 1.074 feet high, and several other small
er peaks. At the base of these mountains are
a1arries from which beautiful marble may
be extracted, although they nave been
worked Is but a slight extent. Though
the rivers are shat oW, several are naVt-
gable for four or five miles, their main ad-
vantage being that they keep the island
well watered. The principal products are
cattle. tobacco, mahogany, cerad and 9TH
er woods, sulphur, pitch and tar, but there
are also mines from which silver quick
silver and iron are extracted.
The climate of the island is mild and
healthy all the year and few present
better chance for settlers, and yea it has
only a population of about 1000. The Isla
de Pfnos has always been regarded as
dependency Of Havana, and would proba-
bly, be claimed by the Cuban government.
Between Porto Rico and the Virgin ISL
ands there is group called the Passage
Islands. which viii come into our posses
sion. The largest and most important OF
the group is Nleques or Crab Island, "
ing nine miles off Porto Rico and which
is eighteen miles long by four broad. The
soil is not good, there being indeed but
nttle dirt on the Barren rocks. A ridge
OF small hills runs through the middle,
rising TO good hight at the southwest
cnd Of the island. Isabel Segunda on the
north side is the solitary village and there
live fishermen The h3rbor Is good, for
there are numerous bays, and az one time
Niaues was the resort OF pirates, who
proved upon the rich commerce Of the
West Indies.
Fishermen and woodcutters to the num-