New-York tribune., 1902-03-24
THE ISLE OF PINES.
| ITS SITUATION, PHYSICAL FEATURES,
INHABITANTS, RESOURCES AND
INDUSTRIES.

and Industries with Maps" The Army bill ap-
proved March 2. 1901, providing for the establish
ment of civil government in Cuba, In the denn'-
tion of the future relations of Cuba with the
United States declared as the sixth proposition
that the Isle of Pines shall be omitted from the
proposed constitutional boundaries of Cuba the
title thereto being left to future adjustment by
treaty. As the new constitutional government of
Cuba will be naugurated. the subject OF
treaties with the island government will be taken
up, and among other questions the determination
of the status of the Isle of Pines.
This island lies in a deep blight off the southern
coast of Western Cuba about thirty-hve miles
from the point of the mainland. 1t is sixty
five miles south-southwest OF Batabano, the Cuban
end of the steamer line, and is in communication
with the United States Via Bataban6 (siXty-hve
miles by water) and Havana twenty-five miles by
raid to Miami, Fla. 23S miles (tota distance water
and RAID: $50 miles to Tampa, Fla; $40 miles to
New Orleans and 713 miles to Pensacola, Fla From
the first two points the Pennsylvania Railroad ana
Southern connections reach all parts of the United
States. the single rate from NeW-YOrk to Havana
being $54 60 and from Havana to the Isle of Pines
$40 50 (gold) The Louisville and Nashville Rail
road and Steamship Company also has facilities
for intercourse between the island and the United
States. The nearest cable and telegraph station is
Bataban6, sixty-fve miles. on the mainland of
Cuba. There is a telephone between Nueva Corona
and Santa Fe with a projected extension to Jucaro'
In strategic point Of view the island lies 73O
miles from the entrance to the Nicaragua Canal,
$50 miles from the Panama Canal and $40 miles
from Jamaica.
Owing to the numerous keys which surround the
island the Caribbean Sea side. its defence can
be accomplished at little expense by means Of
mines.
The Isle OF Pines is e36 square miles in area, or
nearly the size of the State Of Rhode Island. It
has population of $3.50 In its physical features
II is picturesque. In general the surface ~ a
plateau OF from fifty 10 one hundred feet above the
level, broken by ridges, the most remarkable
mi helm 10 de Canada,
Daguia, 100 feet (from the summit of which
view OF the entire island may be had); Sierra de
los Caballos. 1915 feet; Mount Casas composed Of
beautiful marbles OF various COlors, and Mount
Cristales of moderate height it's sides being COW
cred with green rock crystals. The southern part,
comprising about onethird of the entire area, is an
impossible cenaga salt bayou and lagoon, inter
spersed by islets and rocky lodges and occupied By
fishermen.
The island has a number of rivers Of excellent
water. the most important Of which the Nuevas,
from Ave to ten feet deep and navigable four or
five miles and the Sierra de Casas. near the mouth
2t which is Sueya Corona. and accessible by yes
The Isle Of Pines is. connected with a labyrinth
Of reefs and islets, of which the best known are
the Jardines. SO named from verdure clad isets
streWn like gardens amid blue waters, ana ana @ from
flowing probably in subterranean galleries from the
and has a worldwide reputation, are remarkable,
especially in pulmonary rheumatic and throat az,
fections. chemical ANALYSIS shows the waters 70
be mpregnated with oxygen and carbonc acid
6onate Of line iron, magncsia chloride Of calcium
nitrate Of Tine. siex and 0rSanic matter The tenn
being pure and balmy, and although the island
is surrounded by water is considered dry. The
winds coming from the sea and passing over the
Is dvided into two seaso5athe Wet 1uviosaj or
summer, lasts from June until October, The hottest
hours are from 10 10 II a. m About 2:30 p m the
breeze Qa virazon) blowing in from the sea mod
winter. extends from october 10 june. with occa-
s!onaI vlsitations from November to February Of
ntsd 'e7S b ena @ 'e b Gu- Of r T' s ae
is ten in the month, and the average humidity for
The mean annual temperature IS 70 degrees. The
prevailing winds are the northeast trades. which
blow with little variation throughout the year rem
The range OF temperature between summer and
rcanes are less fred9ent than in cuba The per
rotero de las Antillas." referring 70 the climatic
which IN former years decimated the population OF
Cuba, ever made It's appearance here. Although
south OF Cuba. its temperature IS lower account
Of the winds which are always blowing. From all
parts from Cuba as well as from the United states,
hcial waters of It's springs and creeks"
The inhaPitants Of the island are Spanish and
gers dgnIhed and kindly spirit. The language
IS Spanish. The island has two towns and one port
ond town In size, is the left bank of the Sierra
de las Gasas River two miles above its mouth on
picturesque plateau between the CabalIos and
thirty feet above the sea It is we'll dTaiHed S3d
exposed to the constant breeZes from the sea free
from malaral influence Its water comes from a
magnesium spring. said 10 be beneficial in cases
of stomach trouble, and baths have been built into
The population is one thousand. InvaIlds arriving
Of the island fifteen miles in souheastery direc-
tion. over an American built road. II IS also
Santa F6 is on the left bank OF the river of the
same name fifteen miles south-sOuthcast Of NueVa
Corona, and has American postofice. The port
Of the town. Jucaro, is about seven miles distant.
Santa Fe has $50 inhabitants. and has thermal
baths and medicinal springs Of magnesia and iron,
favorably known and patronized from Havana in
the latter town by fine road. a steamer touches
here once week, The means of communication
is also a telephone projected.
In addition 10 these three important centres are
throughout the Island OF the land lying north of
the Cienaga the swamp and low ground with man
meadows covered with these mangroves and scrub
palmetto. at 25 per cent; land of doubtful agricu-
ural value, 10 per cent: rich land 10 per cent:
mountains and steep hills per cent; pine lands
unsuitable for agriculture. 25 per cent OF the land
cultivation but the nature of the growth on It
variety Of product. a fnca or farm Of less than
thirty-three acres actual cultivation produces
coffee, sugar chocolate (cocoa) cocoanuts plan
tains bananas boniatos (sweet potatoes yuca {cas
swerng for potatoesl. rice beans lettuce tobacco
honey, fowls. pigs and cattle. OF the staple to-
hacco, the island exported in 1899 about five thou
the highest market rates. The cultivation Of
sugar in 1900 confined a single estate Its
also reported that the island is adapted 10 the
growth Of rubber
The minerals are marble. kaolin. gold iron and
the finest statuary the color being pure white
Other varieties of different hues suitable for
The stone is free from cracks and will furnish slabs
in thickness They are also Situated TO 10 met 30 ieG M
requirements OF convenient and economical trans
valuable trees are rneboganT Su 0 Ue coast US
wood from which reed Instruments made;