The Washington times., 1902-03-30
CLIMATE is DELICIOUS"
Yellow Fever Passes 1t by and Balmy
Air Fans the Cheek Throughout. the
Entire Day-AneTican Hotels and
Other Innovations.

the future relations with the United
States declared as the sixth proposition
THAT the Isle of Pines shall be omitted
from the proposed constitutional boun-
daries of Cuba, the title thereto being left
to future adjustment by treaty
AS the new constitutional government
of Cuba will be shortly inaugurated, the
subject OF treaties with the island Gov
ernmrnt viii be taken up and among other
questions the determination of the status
of the Isle OF Pines.
This island lies in a deep blight of the
southern coast of western Cuba about
of the mainland.
Is Easily Defended
Owing to the numerous keys which sur
round the island on the Caribbean Sea
side, its defence can be accomplished at
very little expense by means of mines.
The Isle of Pines is 9S6 square miles in
area, or very nearly the size of the State
of Rhode Island. 1t has population of
3.199. In its physical features it is very
picturesque.
In general the surface is a plateau of
so to leo feet above the sea level, brok-
en- by ridges The southern part, COM
prising about one-third of the entire area,
is impassable cienaga, or salt bayou
and lagoon, interspe-sed by islets and
rocky lodges, and occupied by fishermen
The island has a number of rivers of
excellent water, the most important OF
which are the Nuevas and the Sierra de
Casas. The mineral springs, for which
the island has a worldwide reputation.
are remarkable especially in pulmonary,
rheumatic, and throat affections.
The Climate Delicious.
The climate is described as delicious.
the air pure and balny and. notwith-
standing the island being surrounded BY
water, is considered dry. The winds.
coming from the sea and passing over the
pine Iarests, are gentle aand invigorat-
ing" The year is divided into two sea-
sons-the Wet, or summer from June un-
til October The hottest hours are from
10 to II a. N. About 2:S0 p m. the breeze
blowing in from the sea moderates the
temperature.
The dry season, or winter, extends from
October to June. The annual rainfall
ranges from so to 50 inches, or less than
on the Gulf Coast of the States. The ay--
crage rainy days is ten in the month.
The mean annual temperature is 70 de-
grees. The nights are cool both in win
ter and summer. The range of tempera-
tdre between summer and winter rarely
exceeds a mean of eleven degrees. Hur-
ricanes are less frequent than in Cuba.
The "Derrotero de las Antillas,' re-
ferring TO the climatic conditions, says:
The climate of Pinos is among the
healthiest known. No yellow fever, or
cholera. which in former years decimated
the population of Cuba, ever made ITS ap-
pearance here. Although south Of Cuba,
its temperature is lower on account Of
the winds which are always blowing.
From all parts, from Cuba as well as from
the United States, the sick come to be
cured by the pure air and beneficial wa
tiers of the springs and creeks" The is
land has two towns and one port.
Nueva Corona, the capital and second
town in size. with a population Of LOCO. is
adyantagcously situated on a picturesque
plateau. 1t is well drained. It's water
comes from a magnetism spring.
Inyalids arriving at this town proceed
TO Santa Fe, fifteen miles distant over an
American built road Santa Fe is situated
on the left bank of the river OF the same
name. fifteen miles from Nueva Corona
and has an American postofice. The port
of the town. Jucaro is about seven miles
distant. Santa Fe is a place OF / $50 in
habitants.
Fine Road to Travel.
Jucaro, the port Of Santa Fe, is con-
neeted by fine road. A steamer toucheg
there once week. The means of com
nunication with Santa Fe is by the vo-
lante, or OK cart.
In addition to these three important
centres are twenty-six villages and
haciendas, scattered throughout the ISL
and
Resources of the Island.
As an example of the variety of prod |
ucts. a fnca, or farm, Of less than thirty |
three acres. actual cultivation, produces
coffee, sugar. chocolate tcocoa), cocoa
nuts, plantains, bananas. boniatos Csweet
potatoes), yuct furnishing laundry
starch, 1naIangoes answering for pota-
toes), rice, beans, lettuce, tobacco. honey. |
fowls, pigs, and cattle.
OF the staple tobacco. the island ex-
ported in 1899 about 5000 bales tof 100 +!
pounds each), selling in Havana at the |
highest market rates. The cultivation |
of sugar in 1900 was confined to a single |
estate. |
The minerals are marble, kaolin, gold. |
iron, and salt.
The quality of the marble is reported |
10 be available for the finest statuary, |
the color being the pures. white. Other |
varieties of different hues are suitable |
ie- ornamentation as they take on an ex- |
cellent polish.
Its valuable trees are mahogany, ignum |
vitae, coco-wood from which reed instru |
ments are made cedrella odorata used |
to make cigar boxes, log wood, pine and |
royal palm.
Fruits and nuts. both cultivated and |
wild, are celebrated for their quality and
abundant varieties. the principal being |
alligator pear. banana. eocoanuts, gueya,
ulangos. oranges, and pineapples.
The mechanical industries are tobacco
manufacturing. quarrying. weaving for |
home consumption, cutting and saving
lumber and working into poles and rail-
road ties, and charcoal burning; also
forest products, turpentine, pitch and
tax.
Another industry Is fishing the shallow
sdjacent waters abornding in fine market
able fish. Holsters. and turtles.
At the close OF 1899 there were 4,l64
horned cattle. 1.231 horses. IA mules. and
!. 1876 hogs and goats.
The island was discovered by Columbus
In 1894, who named it La Eyaugelista"
In the administration CT Cuba it became
a dependency of Havana. of which prov
ince IL is a municipality.
1t constitutes an ayuntamlento or muni-
cipal district of the judicial district of
Bejucal province of Havana, instituted In
1890 with its seat at Nueya Corona. II
was reorganized in July, 1899, under
United States military control.
Among the various American enter
prises may be mentioned new hotel: an
lee plant. dentists Office, grocery e3-
sblisnment. blacksmith shop, turpentine
L.. 1