The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-05-21

ueSleeS T. Ill lIlc Sniuc uuIlIS lllc hollCSt
hours At night it sinks to IS or SO de-
grees.
The rainy season lasts from August to
December, and the rainfall is at times SO
copious north of the mountains as to in
undate cultivated fields and produce
swamps. The rainfall for 1873 was 81
inches. Its mean annual average is GIL
inches
PREVAILING DISEASES.
The prevailing diseases are yellow fever,
elephantiasis, tetanus, marsh fever and
dysentery.
Porto Rico is unusually fertile, and its
dominant industries are agricultural and
numbering. IN elevated regions the vege
tation OF the temperate zone is not un-
known. There are more than 500 varic-
ties of trees found III the forests. and the
plains are full of palm, orange and other
trees The principal crops are sugar, cof-
fee, tobacco, cotton and maize, but bana-
mas, rice, pineapples and many other
fruits are important
The wild dog is the most predaciouS
quadruped on the island, and he chiefly
attacks pigs and calves. Mice are a pest,
but they are kept down by their natural
enemy. the snakes, which reach a length
of from six to nine feet. Numerous spe-
cies of ants and bees are found, as well as
fire-hies or cucuves. They fly at times in
great masses, producing weird and splen-
did effects i'll the tropical nights. Poultry
is abundant and the seas and rivers are
full of the finest of fish.
RAILWAYS AND CART ROADS.
Railways are in their infancy, and cart
roads are deficient. Telegraphic lines con
meet the principal towns, while submarine
cables run from San Juan to st. Thomas
and jamaica
Porto Rico was sighted by Columbus
on the 10th Of November, 1893. Three
days later he anchored in the bay, the de-
scription of which corresponds to that OF
Mayaguez In 1910 and 1911 Ponce de
Leon visited the islands and founded set
tlement and gave it the name of San Juan
Bautista. The island has had many vicis-
situdes, especially at the hands Of the
enemies of Spain in times Of war, espe-
cialIy the Dutch and English. Buccaneers
and pirates harassed its coasts and plum
dered the people during large part OF
the eighteenth century. Landings were
effected by the English in 1902 at Areci-
bo, in 1743 at Ponce and in 1897 at the
capital, but each time they were repulsed
by the Spaniards An attempt of the
people to obtain independence, after three
years of turbulence, was frustrated in 1923.
As to the Spanish administration of the
islands, it differs but little if at all, from
that imposed upon Cuba.
THE CAPITAL.
The capital of the province is San Juan
Bautista, founded by Ponce de Leon, as
already stated 1t is located on the small
island of Moro, now connected with the
mainland by the San Antonio bridge. The
district of its name contains - 600 inhab-
itants. On the western end Of the island
Ponce de Leon built the Governor pal
ace, enclosed within the Santa Catalina
Notifications, where also are the cathedral,
town house and theatre This portion OF
the city is now called Pueblo Viejo. 1t Is
an Episcopal See, subordinate to the Arch
bishop of Santiago de Cuba. There are
two tramways and also railways TO Ponce
and to other places. Its principal exports
are sugar, coffee and tobacco.
The harbor of San Juan is enveloped on
the east and south by swamps. On the
west it is sheltered by the islands Of Cahra
and Cabrita, which sand bank practically
connects with the mainland. This site OF
the city comprises foul small bays and two
rocks, of which the one nearest the coast
is half mile west Of the Moro 1t Is
strongly fortified for the defence Of the en-
trance to the outer harbor. The interior
harbor is land locked, capacious and safe,
and is being dredged to uniform depth
from docks to anchorage of 90 feet.
Four wards are comprised in the old city.
Three are outside Of the Notifications, and
extending up the hillsides like an amphi-
theatre, present a picturesque panorama
when seen from the harbor
The houses are of stone, usually one
story high, and have roof gardens, from
which fine marine views may be enjoyed.
Almost every house has garden in 1T
patio or court
THE DEFENCEs.
The defences of San Juan embrace San
Felipe del Moro, at the entrance to the
harbor. 1t is the principal defence agains
attacks from the sea, has three rows OF bat
teries which can converge their cross fire
on any point in the harbor and is separated
by a strong wall from the city at its rear
Within this fertilization are the light house
barracks, large water tanks, stores, chape
and the necessary offices. A tunnel, Civ
ing access for troops and provisions, com
| mnnicates with the shore and is defended
| by battery.
San Cristobal defends the city from tn
land side, and extends over the whole
width of the island on which the city
built. Firing can be effected in all dirsc
tions. Two large barracks are therein.
Higher up the hill is the Caballer
Fortress, with twenty cannon, command
ing the city and its environs by land ant
sea. Santiago and Principe are smalle
Notifications, as are also Abanico and For
Cannuelo, at the entrance of the harbor
Yet these forts are Of the pattern of 20
years ago; the ordnance is old and mostl
smooth bore, and the walls are crumbling
| like most of the forts in Cuba.
| ARTICLES OF IMPORT.
According to the latest Spanish stats
tics, obtained at the Bureau of the Phila
delphia Commercial Museum, the imports