The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1898-07-01
ARE RICH ISLANDS.
Interesting Information Regarding
Cuba and Puerto Rico.
Former Capable of supplying the
Entire Western Hemisphere
with sugar Dangerous
Hnrbor of san Juan.

In response to the demand for infor-
nation IN regard to Cuba and Puerto
Rico, the bureau of foreign commerce,
departs eut of state, has issued a bulle-
tin containing much interesting infor-
nation. drawn from consular reports
and other official material, concerning
the geography, products, commerce,
railways, debt, cable, ETC., of these is
lands. 1t includes also detailed de-
scriptions of an the large cities. 1t is
pointed out that II all the land suitable
to the growth of sugar cane was devoted
to that industry Cuba might supply the
entire western hemisphere with sugar.
The island already has produced in a
single year for export 10000 tons, and
It's capabilities have been only in the
experimental stage. Although settled
more than so years before the United
States, Cuba still has 100000 acres of
primeval forests, including mahogany,
redwood ebony and many other valu-
able woods.
In report from Consul Hyatt, the
richness of the mineral deposits about
Santiago de Cuba is pointed out Amer
tai of over 100000 now operate mines
IN this vicinity and employ from 500 to
LOO men, shipping TO the United States
from 10000 10 $4,000 tons of iron ore per
month. most of it going to Bethlehem,
Steelton, Sparrows Point and Pitts
burgh. These iron ores are said to be
among the richest in the world. Mr.
hyatt believes that the old copper mines
IN the same vicinity. which used to turn
out 100000 worth of copper ore an
uually for use in the United States,
could be worked with profit. The ex-
tent Of the tobacco and sugar industries
are given in detail, although these have
suffered seriously as a result of the last
three years of warfare. About $4,000
Of the inhabitants are ordinarily en-
gagged in the cultivation OF tobacco. The
Cuban debt is placed a; S205 100000, or
about $o79 per inhabtant.
The description of Puerto Rico is es-
pecially interesting in the account OF
san Juan harbor. II states that the
entrance to the harbor is one of diff
Guilty and danger, particularly when a
norther is blowing. The "boca," or en-
trance 10 the harbor. is a mass Of seeth-
ing. foaming water, and presents an i'm
posing spectacle. To see steamers OF
from IS TO Is feet draught enter through
this seeihing "boca" is a sight to be re-
membered. as the great waves lift them
up and seem about 10 hurl them for
ward TO destruction. San Juan is de-
scribed as perfect specimen of
walled town, with moat, gates and bat
Elements. The description of the va
rious cities both in Cuba and Puerto
Rico shows that yellow fever and small
pox are everywhere prevalent. that the
streets reek with filth, that the water
supply is poor and usually polluted, and
that modern sanitary methods are I'M
known.
Declare the O'Higgins Il Not sold.
New YORK, June 20. -Funt Il Co.
have received dispatch from Beech
& Co., their agents at Valparaiso,
Chilli, saying there is no truth in the
report that the Gillian armored cruiser
Almirante o'Higgins has been sold to
the government of Spain.