The times., 1898-08-08
THE ISLAND OF v1EaUEs.
1t Has Rich Soil and Valuable
Timber.

Timber
The islands of Cuba and Porto Rico
are not the only ones that America de-
mands from Spain in the West Indies,
and not the only ones which Spain must
vacate when she leaves the Western
Hemisphere.
The American note to Spain made it
one of the prerequisites to any peace ne
gotiations that the enemy should give up
Cuba, Porto Rico land the adjacent ISL
ands under the Spanish flag" There are
two of these islands of considerable i'm
portance, the Isle of Pines, south of
Cuba, and the Island of Yieques, east of
Porto Rico. In addition to these there
are several smaller islands which are in
habited and of some value.
The Isle of Pines has become familiar
during the war because the operations of
the American feet on the south coast of
Cuba have been near it, and also because
many of the Spanish relief expeditions
to Cuba have been supposed to make 1t
stopping place before reaching the
mainland. This. island has been described
in The Times heretofore The islands off
the coast of Porto Rico, however. are
known very little to the general public.
The Isle of Vieques will be of value to
America, though il has never been of
much Importance to Spain. 1t has fine
soil, big forest OF valuable woods and
excellent harbors. Vieques is twelve m,s.-l
off the eastern coast of Porto Rico. 1t IS
twenty-one miles long and six miles wide.
| running in the same general direction as
Porto Rico, east and west. 1t has 5000
| inhabitants and one town of fair size.
The land is exceedingly fertile and
much like the best of the Porto Rican
soil 1t is adapted to the cultivation OF
all the fruits and vegetables that grow
in the West Indies. Sugar raising Is one
of the largest industries. There Is a
mountain range running through the
length of the island and the slopes are
| all covered with forest The wood has
never been exported but II furnishes the
island itself with a plentiful supply. cat
| tie raising on the hills is also one of the
| large industries.
The climate Is fine and exceedingly
healthy Yellow fever has never shown
itself and smallpox is unknown also.
The town of Isabel Segunda is on the
| north coast. 1t has 1000 inhabitants The
| port is unsafe in times of northerly
| winds like all the anchorages on that
| side. There are several good ports on
the southern side, however the best be
| ing Punta Arenas. Isabel Segunda has
| a fine stone Roman Catholic church, the
/ finest building on the island.
! Vieques was temporarily occupied dur
! ing the two centuries preceding the pres
/ ent by the English and French. but dur
| ing the last hundred years II has beer
| entirely under Spanish dominion. rs
! government under Spain has been exer-
| cised by a colonel, with a small garri-
| son under him.
| The riches and population of Vieques
are increasing steadily. and its possible
/ tiles are great for its size. as almost
| every inch or its territory can be made
productive. Not long ago there were two
importing and exporting houses on the
| island. but the tremendous Spanish du-
ties have driven them out of business
and decreased the commerce 10 local con-
sumption only. All supplies are brought
from San Juan, the larger part being OF
| American origin
Gaia de Muerto Island IS on the south
ern coast of Porto Rico near the harb0r
! Of Ponce. 1t is apparently Joined TO Por-
to Rico by reef. The island has good
anchorage. and its fisheries are product
| i've.
The Island of Mona is west of Cape
Rojo on the west coast of Porto Rico
II is of volcanic origin. and its coasts
rise to a great height perpendicularly
above the sea level. ii is inhabited by a
| few fishermen and abounds In goats. bulls
| and swine in a wild state.