The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1899-11-10
Written for the Democrat Star.
CUBA, THAT GOD
FORSAKEN COUN-
TRY"

The volunteer soldier, returning
from garrison duty from different sec
tions OF Cuba, having enlisted for war
and having received only the disc0m-
forts Of camp life; poorly fed. and in
most cases over much disciplined by
officers who enjoyed their first and
probably their last chance to exercise
authority over their fellow-men, swell.
ling with the pride Of rank obtained.
for the mnst part, by political pulls !:
the young men returning with their
vitality much impaired and their pat
riotism buried in the grave with the
victims Of incompetent doctors, are
unanimous in the statement that
Cuba is a "God-forSaken country"
One is very apt to look with disgust
on any sp,t where months of suffering
and hOme-sickneSs were all The re-
ward they received for their patriot
ism. Yet, while our sympathy must
ever be with the rank and Gle who en-
dured so much and obtained so little.
we must differ In our opinion regard
ing Cuba, for no where on this bright
earth has the Great Creator showered
more abundant blessings than on this
island so near our home.
l have before me list OF fruits Of
forty-two varieties, which grow spon-
taneously in different parts Of the ISL
and. All are palatable. and many are
delicious. Those most appreciated by
us were the figs, oranges, lines. grapes
mangoes, currants and pineapples.
The rich. deep soil the perfect eli
mate; millions Of acres Of virgin soil
awaiting the plow; miles Of mountain
land filled with ore; and for game,
herds or deer and elk roam the noun
tains: the prairics are overrun with
guinea fowls, Quails and ducks: the
rivers abound in fish, and birds innu-
merabe make the forests resound with
their beautiful songs, or discordant
screenings.
So much wealth awaits the coming
of the gatherer. that it would sound
like the relating Of an impossible
dream. | observed, While on the isl.
and, that the natives raise very few
cattle. Millions of acres are covered
with grass which grows so high that
one is hidden in its depths. yet the
blades are as tender and succulent as
the young spring grass OF our western
prairies. The Jamaica islanders bring
their cattle there for grazing, and sell
the dressed beef readily at forty cents
pound. The Cubans love butter, but
have no idea OF its manufacture. They
buy quantities OF so-culled butter i'm
ported from Holland, that comes In
quarter and half-pound tin cans, and
pay at the rate of dollar a pound fol
it, and it is horrible stuff. 1t does not
cost much to transport cattle to Cuba
now the duty is removed, and they
endure the journey remarkably well
The only danger is in overcrowding.
Fruit raising Is another great wealth
producer. Also the raising of vegeta
bles in mid-winter for northern mar
kets.
A country rich in soil, where neI
ther frost or drOuth never enters
where destructive Insects are moi
nearly 50 numerous as here, must pre-
sent most fatterIng prospects to inc
agriculturists and fruit growers.
have written the above to uphold my
argument that Cuba IL not u GOD'FoR-
sAKEN COUNTRY.
"How did the people Of Cuba I'M
press you?"
In replying to the question, must
remind the patient readers OF your
valuable paper that having spent most
OF my time 10 and around Manzanillo,
my observations were limited for the
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