Evening journal., 1898-08-31
CUBA FULL OF MINERALS.
There Arc Great Riches Locked Up
in the Interior of the
Island.


Cuba, according TO Vice Consul Car
los Fox, who has recently returned TO
his home in Baltimore from the OPP
pressed queen of the Antilles, has,
locked up in its interior, enormous
wealth, which Is awaiting those who
Rave the courage and enterprise to
take possession oft. The land is occu-
pied by primitive, industrious and hos
pitable people, who are, however, de-
prived of the opportunity of develop
ing its resources. When the war shall
have at length ceased and the sword
again shall have been sheathed and
the islands opened again to cultivation
Baltimoreans will have the same
chance to take a hand in the develop
ment of the land as any other people
in the country.
Mr.. Fox during his advent on the is
land took Up his abode at Santiago dc
Cuba. in the eastern section. Iron ore
and manganese are to be found here
In abundance, he says; also copper.
The iron ore mines are yet undevel-
oped; the best mines have not yet been
worked. These are stretched along
the coast. Reports" says Mr. Fox,
"rome from other sections on the
north coast. near paracoa, to the ef-
feet that iron ore abounds there. but
this has as yet never been inquired
into. Americap possession Of these
mines would be of great advantage to
the furnaces along the American
coast, especially to the furnaces at
Sparrows Point. The tax on Cuban ore
now is 40 cents per ton. II is superior
to the ore gotten at the lakes. In
other sections ochre and other min
erals have been found on the surface,
but no one can tell what riches are
hidden further down until the mines
are developed. Around Santiago is the
best coffee country in Cuba. Sugar
hcane is also raised. tits a fine country
for raising cattle. Here there is graz
ing the year round, because there Is
no winter. The business could be car
ried on TO a great extent under favor
able conditions, but heretofore and at
present all the cattle is consumed on
the island. II conditions were favor
able Cuba could compete with any
country in the raising of cattle.
"The interior Is practically undevel-
oped and what riches are hidden be-
meath the soil are yet unknown to the
world. Much of the land is covered
with fine cedar and mahogany, but
lumber cannot be gotten out, because
there are no railroad facilities nor
highways. The people live in a print.
tive way, but they are hospitable and
peaceful. The interior IS more health.
full and Is milder than the coast, The
city of Santiago, II IL had the same
facilities that Baltimore enjoys, would
be as healthful, II not more so, thar
our own city. Cuba needs railroads
a more than anything else. If there /.
4 any immigration, 1t would be TO tn,
e country in the interior, which is yer,
fertile, so many as two crops year
e and sometimes three, being raised
The people in the country live on 1ha
= they produce. They could supply tn,
whole island and other parts OF th,
r world, but this is impossible becaus,
= of theJabsenoe OF railroads and high
q roads. All the eggs and chickens con
sumed IN Santiago como from New
York, and the people have to pay dear
ly for them; whereas these article.
: can be supplied very cheaply by the
people in the interior, il they could
a in any way convey their products Il
: the city.
= "Along the coast is ibrous growtl
k which is used for the manufacture o
Il rope. The English have been cultivat
n Ing II on their own smaller islands. II
! Cuba there is great field for enter
: prise Of all kinds The island need
i money and business men. A railroa,
: from Santiago to Havana would d'
more than anything else toward devel
oping the country. The only way Il
travel there now is by horseback. TIL
> horses are of the finest stock, bu
II there are few OF them left, most o
N them having been taken for use Il
A. the army. The horses there are small
n they would be regarded here a
d ponies, but they can stand twice a
n much service as the best American
horses. Many OF the people have bee
so hard pressed for food that the
= have TO eat their own horses, and th
r very poor who have no horses ofte,
= steal the stock Of travellers and other
d for food. II the Americans are goin
n TO land troops in Cuba i think the
Will make great mistake ifthey TAX
heavy American horses with then
Small horses and ponies. sNch as ar
TO be found in Mexico. Texas and o
the plains, should be used" Baltimor
American.
IN C,r,T,--