The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-14
FASCINATED WITH CUBA
Columbus Confident 1t Was the
Coast. of Asia.
FIRST LANDING IN CUBA
Overwhelmed With Hospitality at Places
Now Made Famous by schley, Samp-
son and Skater = Grigsby
May Go to Cuba
Washington Bureau of the Standard, !
No. 1145 e. street y. w. ,

Washington Bureau of the
No. 1145 q street y. w.
Washington, Aug. 1O.-Columbus was
fascinated with Cuba. 1t was the first
great island that he discovered. He
came to it a fortnight after his landfall
on watling's island. He had passed the
intervening days cruising among the
southern Bahamas. Here he first began
to hear of Cuba from the natives. He
understood 1t to be of great extent.
Astounding in gold and pearls and spices,
and carrying on an extensive commerce
in those precious articles. He at once
became impressed with the idea that it
must be either the famed Cipango or a
part of the dominions of the Grand
Khan, and he sailed to the southwark
in search of it. He approached 1t west
of the modern Nuevitas. AS he neared
the noble island he was struck with its
magnitude and the grandeur of its feat
ures. Its high and airy mountains re-
minded him of Sicily. He was enthu-
siastic in his letters to his sovereigns
upon Cuba's long sweeping plains wat
cred by noble rivers. her stately forests,
bold ~promontories n stretching head
lands
"dShihbNOh iANih6 says VI Spiuiipuc
first landing in Cuba: He anchored in
a beautiful river OF transparent clear
ness, free from rocks and shoals, its
banks overhung with trees. He contin-
ually eulogized the beauty and fertility
of the island. He was in a mood to see
everything through a favoring medium.
His heart was full to overlooking for he
was enjoying the fulfllment of his
hopes and the hard earned but glorious
reward of his tolls and perils. Every
thing around him was beheld with the
enamored and exulting eye of the dis
coverer, where triumph mingles with
admiration. 1t is difficult to conceive
the rapturous state of his feelings while
thus exploring the charms of a virgin
world. won by his enterprise and valor.''
The ~discoverer said: The amenity of
the rivers, the clearness of the water,
the multitude of palm trees of various
forms-the highest and most beautiful
/ have ever een-and an infinity of
other great and green trees, the birds in
rich plumage and The verdure of the
fields renders this country of such mar
Vicious beauty that 1t surpasses all 9TH
ers in charms and graces as the day
doth the night in lustre. Much as /
endeavor to give a complete account of
1t to your majesties," said the admiral,
my tongue cannot express the whole
truth nor my pen describe IL, and | have
been so overwhelmed at the sight of so
much beauty that / have not known
how to relate it,"
From Nuevitas Columbus proceeded
westward along the northern coast of
Cuba, putting in at various rivers, en-
deavoring through his Bahama Indian
interpreters to hear of the capital of
Cipango. He sent ENJOYS to the chief
OF an Interior village called Cubanacan,
probably located not far from the scene
OF the operations of Gen. Maxine Co
mez. But he heard nothing tina he
deemed to his advantage. on this trip
to the interior the Spanfards gained
their first knowledge Of two new world
contributions to the necessities and
~luxuries of the municipalities and to-
bacco. The first was a humble root
mat proved a more precious acquisition
to man than all the spices of the In
dies n tobacco came to be INDUCED
to the ends Of the earth.
Cape Palmas was Columbus "furthest
west" on the north coast Of the island.
Turning eastward from his point he
sailed along the Cuban coast to the mod
ern Cape Maysi, called by him Cape
Alpha and Omega, which he believed to
be the beginning n end of Asia. From
here, hearing of another rich island to
the east, which he tool for Cipango, he
sailed to the north shore of Hayti, es-
a settlement and started back
to Spain. He took with him some native
Cubans, and carried home to his SOW
ereigns the news of his addition to their
crown of a new land named Juana in
honor of their son. Cuba soon lost the
name he gave her, and resumed her
aboriginal appellation, but it is 400 years
before the island becomes inde-
pendent of the Spanish masters Column
gave her.
1t was not until his second voyage to
the new world that Columbus explored
part of Cuba that is playing such
an important part in current history. 1t
was on April 29. 1894, that he arrived
once more at Cape Alpha and Omega,
from the modern Mole st. Mich
olas. From this point he ran for 20
eagues along the south coast of Cuba
and then anchored in a noble harbor, to
which he gave the sounding name of
Puerto Grande. This was the Guam
bay on whose shores the star
.spangled banner was first unfurled on
soil. The ancient chronicle says:
THE entrance to this harbor is narrow
md deep, but 1t expands within like a
lake in the bosom of a wild
and mountainous country. covered with
trees, some in blossom, and others bear
Ing fruit"
Several fires blazing on the beach
ave sishs oI innapltants. Here column
bus n his crews enjoyed a bountiful
of fish and fruits. served by the
natives, for which the admiral
paid. Coming out Of Guam
bay, Columbus continued west
along a mountainous coast, adorn-
by beautiful rivers and indented by
commodlous harbors. As he advanced
the country grew more fertile and popu-
The natives crowded to the shores,
nrnn cd .Ag1l-z ..s-- " -
constituent at the ships which glided by
NJ M praaf diQta nca T~bau hal1 ,,n fr,,f,.