Evening star., 1901-09-07
CANARY ISLANDERS IN CUBA.
Dissatisfied in Venezuela, They Find
Employment by Americans.

From the Caracas Herald, August u.
We desire to speak Of the Islenos-a name
given to the natives of the Canary Islands
who are at this moment leaving Vene-
zuela in multitudes. The cause, as is well
known, is want of work-since we do not
wish to say more. An American company
having learned of this condition of things,
has, with great intelligence and insight,
sent an agent to this country to engage
these folk and take them off to Cuba, where
they are assured of a home and of wages
of one dollar gold per day as laborers on
the work of laying down railroad.
This news may appear of small interest
to those who do not understand or are not
in a position to know the difficulties of OBJ
tanning manual labor in Venezuela. but to
us who are we'll acquainted with the eco
nomic conditions of the country, the fact
must be regarded as one of an exceedingly
grave nature, for it is an indication that
the only class of laborers who come to
Venezuela and are addicted to the cultiva-
ton of the soil and the development of ag
ricutural Industries are also becoming
tired of the incessant internecine strife and
prefer to plant their tents elsewhere.
During the past year. as appears from
statistics furnished by a navigation COM
pany, more than 2,060 IslenOs have quilted
Venezuela. Yesterday our compatriot, Mr..
Green, embarked fifty-four for Cuba: in
low, and in some months they will have all
emigrated II we are to judge from the num-
ber of applications received by the agent
in question. This would be greatly to be
deplored, for these Islenos are incompar-
able workers, whether agriculturists.
carpenters. masons or muleteers, etc. They
may be recognized at the first glance.
Honest in their dealings, sober and con-
slant, everywhere they obtain the prefer
ence. But it Is especially In agriculture
that they excel If the traveller coming
from La Guaira cast a glance from the
window of the railway carriage he will as
suredly remark in the bottom Of a ravine,
on the top Of hill. on all sides and in the
most unpromising looking place, a hut with
a plot of verdure, fresh and smiling, and
looking well cultivated as in the United
States or In Europe, and if he were to take
the trouble to reach the hut and knock at
the door 1T would surely be opened by an
Isleno; this is the highest praise that can
be given to these immigrants
But this is not their greatest merit, for
from our point Of view the great advan-
tage of the Isleno, and why he should be
most appreciated is that he does not spe-
cially seek the towns. but establishes HIM
self everywhere; he leads the way; he is
the king of pioneers; and since the old days
Of Spanish rule have passed away and
of its nobility to colonize and to make
their fortune in its colonies or former do
minions, especially, as they find 1t more
advantageous to seek alliance with our
American heireSses. who keep them royal
ly, and with whom there is less risk and
more profit. and 1t Is necessary that the
Spanish-American colonies should be con-
tent with the sons Of the people, it was a.
fortune for Venezuela to have received
such excellent plebeians as is the remark
able class Of the IslenoS, and 1t is for this
reason that we regret their emigration.