St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1898-09-17

the Baker and Rowland islands. Baker
island is in latitude II degrees 20 min
utes north, longitude 176 degrees 90
minutes so seconds west. Rowland
island is about three miles north OF
Baker. Neither of them is inhabited
and the total area of both is about
one square mile.
Anoth,r unique American domain
10 the Marquis of Weeks island. Itwas
discovered by Capt. Foster, COM
mander cf an American sailing ves-
sci, who, by permission of James G.
Blaine, who was then secretary OF
state, hoisted the stars and stripes
over the deserted spot, which is sit
uated about 2,7OO miles west of Hon
olulu. It has an area of three square
miles AMI so Inhabitants Unlike
Baker ami Howland islands. Capt. Eos
ter's little discovery is well watered
and bright with vegetation. Moreover,
It lies in the track OF vessels saillng
between Hawaii, China and Japan. and
almost within hailing distance OF Ma
Mia; and will therefore make an ex-
cellent coalRg station for our Asiatic
fleet. In West Indian waters we have
for some time owned Nayassa ISLAND.
located about 20 miles east OF Haytt
and 90 miles east ofJamaica. 1t was
discovered half century ago by Peter
Duncan, who assumed ownership un-
der an act of congress and WAS the or
ranixer of the famous Navassa Phos-
phate company, which purchased ms
title to the property.
As colonial possessions go those
which we own now are not worth very
much. but it is perfectly safe to say
that before the SpanisE-Amcrican war
closes we shall at least have Puerto
Rico, one of the worlds garden spots.
II is one Of the richest of the West
Indies, being the fourth in size. 1t is
90 miles long from east to west anu
rs miles broad. A lofty mountain
range runs through the island from
east to west, its highest altitude being
nearly 1000 feet above the sea. Its
area is 1850 square miles, with pop
ulation Of 9OO,O 900. OF these halt are
white. 24O. 900 muiattoes and 75.eo0 ne
uroes. 1t has in the past paid an an
nual tax of 81, ,ooo. 900 to Spain. Almost
ey.ry commodity the soil can produce
is raised in the island, and its climate
!. far superior to that of Cuba. Even
under the repressiye influence OF SPAN
,fx trade has amounted to $25,oOO,OOO
! veara sum that will be vastly IN
creased under the beneficent lnfiu-
ence OF the United States. Strateg;cai-
~ the island is bound to prove OF greas
v.lue. It has a number of splendid
h.rbors, to~say nothing OF the thrifty
and well built cities of San Juan,
Ponce. Guayama, Arecibo and FaJardo.
with Puerto Rico go the islands OF
p;nero. Culebra and Bieque; ell OF
them small, but of markable beauty
aud rare fertility.
Even among annexationists OF the
most pronounced type there is some
onestion about our permanent occupa-
tion Of the Philippines with their mot.
,ev and semi-barbarous population OF
7.ooo. 600 people. From commerc,ai
nc;nt of view the islands might be de-
reloped into ! valuable colony, IN the
cours. Of half century. but they wonio
for generations be disturbing factor
POLITICALLY. Millions OF the fiiplncs'
:. .hev are called, are garages. worse III
every respect than the North American
indians. They ars,a mixed race, WIN
+ the vices Of the Polynesians and Chi
nes. @ coolies prsdomiaating. Spain, o.