The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-04-15
From the Washington Star.

From the Washington Star.
Assistant Secretary Of War Meikle-
john made public today a report just
received from the collector OF customs
at Havana, Colonel Tasker II. Bliss, in
relation to a recent visit made TO the
northern part Of the Isle Of Pines by
Captain Fred. S. Foltz, Second cavalry,
collector of customs at Batabano.
CAPTAIN Foltz states in his report
that he spent upward of three weeks
in the northern part of the island. lie
was unable to visit the southern por-
tion on account of an impossible
swamp, which is accessible only by sea.
Captain Foltz states however, that the
southern portion of the island contains
considerable mahogany and other valu
able hard wood. In regard to the to-
biography of the section visited, Cap
tain Foltz remarks that the surface is
plateau with an elevation of some
fifty to one hundred feet above the sea,
broken by ridges of hills or cliffs that
project abruptly here and there above
the general level surface. The soil, gen.
orally speaking, is of firm sand mixed
with some clay.and gravel. all of which
makes good roads even in rainy
brush.
The two mountain ridges at the
northern end OF the island have an ele-
walton Of some 1900 feet These ridges
are composed Of lime stone and marble.
The other ridges in the center OF the
island are much lower, less preCipitous
and are formed of gray sandstone and
red rock and gravel containing iron.
nj gf hA i.1 ny 4
composed of what is locally known as
"dogtooth' coral rock. The southern
coast is rocky and dangerous, contain
ing only one small harbor. Carapa-
chiray. On the southwest of the island
is capacious anchorage, the Cigu-
anea, and from this anchorage vessels
drawing twenty feet can pass north
ward around the island as far as New
Corona inside the keys that lie some
six miles off the coast. The whole
island, with the exception of the rocky
southern coast. is surrounded by man
grove swamps, with here and there a
short stretch Of sandy beach.
The only two landings on the island
are New Corona, on the Rio Las Casas
and Jucaro, the latter on the Rio Santa
Fe. These are accessible by vessels
drawing five feet of water or less, the
bars at the river mouths being very
shallow.
LIKE PARTS OF FLORIDA.
The central part bears yellow pine,
mostly too small for lumber, although
there are considerable tracts of very
fair sawlogs. As yoL approach the
western, northern and eastern coasts
the pine disappears and the country
becomes q savanna, covered with thin
grass and dotted with scrubby trees
and palmetto. In general appearance
this section resembles the barren parts
of Florida.
Captain FOltz says that after care
full investigation he finds that the only
land belonging To the state is contained
in some siXty-three lots of about fifty
acres each, and scattered about within
three miles Of New Gerona These lots
seem to be those left after the land
had been picked over. They are gen.
orally in the worst locations. practically
Wol thless, and contain nothing but
manGroVe scrubs, dwarf palmettus and
thin pine grass. A few of the lots are
better ana are used as small farms
the resident paying, it is understood a
nominal rent to the hacienda at Hav-
ana. However, there are no records OT
this point in the island.
Captain Foltz could lind no record Oi
dues paid to the crown for the privilege
of exporting timber but says it is un'
derstood that contributions are arbtt
rarily levied from time to time by Tho
military governor of the island. These
contributions" or Qualifications" wcr;
paid to secure immunity from ofTiCia
obstruction il, the going and coming
of vessels from the inaccessible points
at which the lumber was gathered. /
is presumed, however that a portion
at least of these contributions" Wa'
used for the benefit of the island. n,
record appears to have been kept o
the amount or disposition.
The governor of the island regulated
the dues for the slauGhte ring of cattle
for the selling of meat, and also due
from stores or shops for the selling o
goods of all kinds As an illustration
a wood choppers camp would requir