Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1899-09-09

is being increased by dredging. 1t is by
far the best harbor in Porto Rico. and
probably as good one as can be found
in the West Indies.
However, it has its drawbacks. The
"boca," or entrance to the harbor, is q
mass of seethiDg, foaming water in
high northerly wind and presents an
imposing spectacle. To see steamers of
l6 to lS feet draft enter into severe
"norther" is sight to be remembered,
as the great waves lift them up and
seem about to hurl them forward to de-
struction. The island upon which the
city stands is shaped much like an arm
and hand. 1t is about ga miles long
and averages less than one-fourth of
mile in width. The greatest width is a
little over half mile, in the portion
representing the hand, which also con-
tains the major part Of the city. The
mountains of Bayomon, which lie to
the southwest of San Juan, are distant
about eight to ten kilometers in n
straight line from the city, and can be
surmounted from the south. To reach
them 1t is necessary to disembark to the
west of San Juan, on the north coast Of
the island, between the towns of Dorado
and Palo Seco. These mountains com.
mand the city.
San Juan is a perfect specimen of a
walled town, with portcullis, moat,
gates and battlements. The wall sur
rounding this town is defended by sew
eral batteries. Facing the harbor are
those of San Fernando, Santa Catalina
and Santa Toribio. Looking toward the
land side is Fort Abanico, and toward
the ocean the batteries of San Antonio
San Jose and Santa Teresa and Fort
Princesa The land part has two bitches,
or cuts, which are easy to inundate
The fort and bridge of San Antonio
those Of San Geronimo, and the Escam-
bron battery are situated on a tongue of
land which enters the sea. Built over
ESQ years ago, the city is still in good
condition and repair The walls are pic
turesque and represent tupendous
work and cost in themselves Inside
the walls the city is laid of in regular
squares, six parallel streets running in
the direction of the length of the island
and seven at right angles.
The peninsula on which San Juan IL
situated is connected with the mainland
by three bridges The oldest, that OF
San Antonio, carries the highway across
the shallow San Antonio chaDnel 1t is
a stone archcd bridge about $50 yards
long, including the approaches By the
side Of this bridge is one for the rail
road and one for the tramway which
follows the main military highway to
Rio Piedras.
Among the buildings the following
are notable: The palace Of the captain
general, the palace of the intendencia,
the town hall, military hospital, Jail,
Ballaja barracks, theater, custom house.
cathedral. episcopal palace and semi.
nary. There is but little manufactur.
ing, and it is of small Importance. The
Standard Oil company has a small re.
finery across the bay, in which crude
petroleum brought from the United
States is refined. Matches are made,
some brooms, little soap and cheap
class of trunks. There are also ice gas
and electric light works. The climate
is warm and agreeable for nine months
of the year, although one is subject,
from the sudden changes, to cold and
catarrh. The natives are particularly
susceptible to this class of. ailment and
to consumption and bronchitis. The fol.
lowing authorities and corporations
have their residence in the capital: A
lieutenant general, field marshal, sec.
ond in command in the province and
governor of the garrison; a brigadier
general Of the navy, chief Of the mari.
time province, one of engineers and an.
other Of artillery, a bishop of the do.
cese, subintendant, a subinspector of
military sanitation, judge advocate,
war commissary, colonel, subinspector
of the tercio of civil guard and CO.
mandancia Of the same, as well as Of
artillery and engineers, court, provin.
cial deputation and treasury admins.
tration. A submarine cable connects
the island with Kingston, Jamaica. -
New York Press.