The Republican journal., 1899-10-19
Little known Portions of Cuba.

american Colonization Scheme.
spscial Correspondence OF The Journal
N-EVITAs, CUBA, Sept. 9th. From
,4ntiago around the eastern end of the
md to Baracoa, on the north coast, is
al nights run. The earliest glimpse
,5ore reveals dim highlands topped with
ids, so vague in the morning mists that
ne can say where land ends and sky
e-lus. The low hills that encompass
nth eastern Cuba, rising in natural ter
IS from the waters edge, bear strik-
resemblance to the artitically terraced
les OF the Peruvian Andes, whereon the
as cultivated cocoa. Farther to the
,tward, these hills mount higher and
her, till merged in the dark, cloud
pied Maestro range; while to the
ward they suddenly disappear in
IS of steep cliffs, to be resumed at
-ltlaI intervals on the north shore in
Cuchillas de Baracoa, the Santa de
and other mountains.
lst before reaching Baracoa, you pass
AMT Maisl, the extreme eastern tip of
va, which is separated from Hayu by
swift and narrow channel marked on
map as the ''Windward Passage "
well it derives the name, for all the
IMy winds that blow seem to f9olic
q, tossing the surface into boisterous
ows that cause the most hardened sea
rs to cast their bread upon the waters,
ming over the steamers rail like So
v limp bundles. The tall white shaft
Naisi lighthouse, in the form of a
lch elongated Cleopatra S Needle, is not
ke the monument erected in Wash
Ton in honor Of the Father Of his
lutry, except for the beacon signal on
p top Of this. Readers of history will
member that the name, West Indies,
> first applied at Point Maisi. Colum
$ called it alpha and Omega" be-
ing that he had touched the eastern
If Asia-the border-lan of the
and Khan. whom that colossal liar,
ltco Polo, had SO luridly described.
great Admiral came ashore here, the
point upon which he set his feet in
la, and dispatched an embassy to the
lEnaIy potentate with gifts and friend
messages. Though it proved a fruit
- expedition, there being no Grand
4u to be conciliated, nor any city of
-hty proportions such as Polo had
nanced about, another discovery was
u3e, Of more Importance to future gen
ltjons, viz, that Of tobacco. In Las
as narrative entitled "El Primer
ale de Colon" Columbus First Voy-
--i, we translate as follows: He be
l several of the natives going about
rl iiIe brands in their hands and GER
dried herbs, which they rolled mp in
AT and lighting one end put the other
a into their mouths, continually ex-
NJ and putting out the smoke. 4 roll
this they called "Tabae, name
ee transferred to the weed from whose
YES the rolls were made
Near Maisi are some extensive and very
iaus caverns, which were evidently
.l flequented by those old time smok-
Unfortunately, on account OF dan
Ills reefs and pounding surf, the
mer does not 20 near enough for pas
4-t1s 10 discern more than black spots
he shorewaId bluffs, indicating the
a4tAs of these caves. 1t is worth row.
back to them from Baracoa. No
rough exploration of their recesses
u.s. ever been made but petrifed crania
strange relics found near their en-
uces show traces of the aborigines.
EaIacoa's tiny harbor is extremely diff
lit Of access, thr ugh the usual mar
and winding channel characteristic of
e coast of Cuba. When once inside the
i'd locked bay, whose tranquil waters
ror the bluest skies and greenest hills
li tallest palms imaginable, you realize
truth of the glowing report which
ambus gave of it to hissovereigns. He
med it Puerto Santos, port of the
ANTS, and described it in these quaint
Gds The amenity of the rivers,
lough which the sand at the bottom
" be seen; the multitude of palm trees
various forms, the highest and most
elutifHl | have ever met, together with
unity of great and green trees, the birds
y rich plumage and tn verdure of the
Ids, render this country, oh, most Serene
noes, of such marvellous beauty that it
lrpasses all other in charms and graces,
s the day doth the night in lustre. | have
cen so overwhelmed at the sight of so
Iuch beauty that truly l know not how
relate it to your majesties. ~
he traveller of to- day finds himself in sim
ia the supreme loneliness of this region.
'hether viewed from the sea, or from the
IDS that rise behind Baracoa. Graceful
AIMS fringe the shores and adorn the
0pes; mountains lift their heads above a
et Of forest which seems to retain all its
meyal freshness and majesty; while the
eat table topped mesa, close behind
.e town, is the most conspicuous feature
many miles. This singular mountain