The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-06
OUR NEW ISLANDS.
Some of the Smaller Ones That We
Shall Acquire.

New York, Aug. Cuba and Porto
Rico have often been told about. Over
the first the United States government
viii for a time exercise a prOtectOrate;
over the second our government viii
exercise ownership. But while these
two are the largest and finest and most
valuable Spanish possessions in these
waters, it should not be forgotten that
in the terms proposing a cessation of
hOstilitieS and a settlement of a salts
factory peace, occurs the stipulation
that not only shall Porto Rico be ceded
to the United States, but also that all
the other islands situated in West In
dian waters now belonging to Spain
shall likewise be forfeited to the gov
eminent at Washington.
There are two or three of these is
lands, small and unimportant, but yet
of some account, and several iSletS and
bays, perhaps dozen all told which
are adjacent to Porto Rico. They are
collectively known as the Passage Is
lands and comprise all the islands and
quays lying between the Virgin Passage
and the east end of Porto Rico.
The second largest of them is Guile
bra Island, about 16 miles to the east
ward of Cape San Juan, as the north
east point of Porto Rico is called. 1t is
six miles long by three broad. Culebra
Island, sometimes called Carlit
Serpent Island, is of a very irregular
outline. The northern shore is steep
and rocky and bare of harborage.
On all the other sides there are small
islets and reefs which shelter good an
chOrageS The island is uninhabited 1t
is of moderate elevation, broken and
rugged, and thickly wooded with scarce
ly a level spot on the surface. Near
the center it rises to a height of $50
feet.
Near Culebra is Northeast Cay, very
small, oval shaped, $40 feet high and
thickly wooded. Byrd Cay is a remark
able small rocky islet, go feet high.
About a mile from it are two small
rocky islets Is feet or so high and 800
y,7c ct ora ahO11f
feet high.
Culebrita Islet or Little Culebra, lies
about a mile from Culebra. 1t, too, is
of irregular shape, is 300 feet high and
of the islet a fixed, white light is ex-
hibited at an elevation of 305 feet and is
visible in clear weather nearly Is miles
There are only a few inhabitants on
the island.
Excellent anchorage can be found
within the cape and islands just de-
scribed, but the best, called the Sound,
is toward their southern end, under
the lee of the reef.
Great Harbor in the southern part If
Culebra, is one of the most secure
basins in the West Indies. 1t is a mile
long and half a mile wide, of irregular
shape, but there are no inhabitants or
villages there, and, of course, no IA
ciIities of any kind.
Crab Island, called also Viegues Is
land, six miles to the eastward of Porto
Rico, is the largest and most important
of the Passage group, being II miles
long by five broad. A ridge of small
hills runs nearly it's whole length along
the middle of the island and rises to a
moderate height at the southwest ex-
tremity of the island
The south coast of the island is in
denied by several small bays, one of
which, called Sound or Settlement Bay,
is defended by a small fort. There is
a small village settlement here.
On the northern shore of Crab Island
is Port Mula, at the mouth of a little
stream. 1t contains about 1000 inhab-
itants and is the residence Of the gov
ernor, who is nominated by the captain
general of Porto Rico.
There is a lighthouse erected at Mula
Point, from which a fixed red light is
exhibited There is comparatively no
trade except in fruits and fish in this
archipelago, but undoubtedly these is
lands are capable of development and
will pay a, fair revenue after they have
become a portion of the United States.
Their natural beauty is unsurpassed,
and over them the trade wind is con-
tinually blowing, giving them warm
delightful climate.
To the west of Porto Rico other is
lands to become the property of the
United States are Mona and Monica is
lands, lying close together in the Mona
Passage and DesecheO Island, just off
the northwestern coast. These are all
small points of land, but of little value
in their r1reSaDt 11udPVpIODed state.