The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-25
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of enemies of Spain in times of war, partic-
ularly the Dutch and English: buccaneers
and pirates harassed its coasts and plum
dered the people during a large part of the
eighteenth century Landings were effected
by the English In 1902 at Anecibo. in 174S
at Ponce and in 1881 at the capital, but
each time they were repulsed by the Span
iards An attempt of the people to obtain
independence after three years Of turbu-
lence was frustrated in 1922 AS to the Span
ish administration of the island. ii differs
but little. if at all, from that imposed upon
Cuba.
The capital of the province is san Juan
Bautista, founded by Ponce de Leon, as al
ready stated. 1t is located on the small
mainland by the San Antonio bridge. The
district of its name contains 270O0 inhabit-
ants. On the western end OF the island
Ponce de Leon built the Governors palace,
Enclosed within the Santa Catalina fortified
tions, where also are the cathedral, town
house and theater. This portion OF the city
is now called Pueblo vieto. 1t is an episco-
pal see, subordinate to the archbishop OF
Santiago de Cuba. There are two tram
other places. Its principal exports are SUI
gar, coffee and tobacco.
DEFENSES OF SAN JUAN.
The harbor of San Juan is enveloped on
the east and south by swamps. On the west
it is sheltered by the islands Of Cabra and
Cabrita, which a sand bank practically con-
meets with the mainland This site of the
city comprises four small bays and two
rocks. of which the one nearest the coast Is
a half mile west of the Moro. tits strong
ly fortified for the defense OF the entrance
to the outer harbor. The interior harbor is
landlocked, capacious and safe, and Is being
dredged to a uniform depth from docks to
anchorage of twenty mine feet Four wards
are comprised in the old city. Three are
outside OF the fortiications, and, extending
up the hillsides like an amphitheater repre-
ssents a picturesque panorama when seen
from the harbor. The houses are of stone,
usually one story high, and have roof gar
dens, from which fine marine views may be
enjoyed. Almost every house has a garden
in it's patio, or court.
The defenses of San Jual embrace San
Felipe del MORO, at the entrance to the har-
Dor. 1t is the principal defense against at
tacks from the sea; has three rows of bat
teries, which can converge their fire on any
strong wall from the city at its rear. With
in this fertilization are the lighthouse, bar
racks, large water tanks, stores, chapel
and the necessary offices. A tunnels giving
access for troops and provisions, commune
Gates with the shore and is defended by
battery.
San Cristobal defends the city from the
land side, and extends over the whole width
of the island on which the city is built
Firing can be effected in all directions Two
large barracks are therein. Higher up the
hin is the Caballero Fortress, with twenty
cannon, commanding the city and its en-
virons by land and sea-. Santiago and Prin-
cipe are smaller Notifications, as are also
Abanico and Fort Cannuelo, at the entrance
OF the harbor, yet these forts are of the
nance is old and mostly smooth bore, and
the walls are cr1mbling, like most of the
fcrts in Cuba.
According to the latest Spanish statistics,
obtained at the bureau of the Philadelphia
Commercial Museum, the importations into
Porto Rico during 1896 amounted to
$1S.945.793 and the exports to ST.. 295 535.
Articles of import are distributed by counv
tries as follows: From Spain come wines,
rice, oils, flour and textiles. From England,
machinery, textiles salted provisions. rice
and coal. From France. small amount of
fine wines and liquors. From Italy, wines,
vermicelli and rice. From Germany, glass
and porcelain wares textiles paper cheese,
candied fruits, beer and liquors From HoJ-
land, cheese. From Cuba. rum, sugar and
tobacco. From the United States. petro-
leuTn. ironware, glassware. chemicals, tex
tiles paper, lumber, barrels machinery,
carriages, dried and sailed meats. butter,
grease. Goldfish, flour, coal. fruits. vermi-
cell and cheese.
The trade with the United States during
the last five years has been as follows:
ExnorfS m Iuancrfe from