The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-05-18
vENEzUELA'S COAST.
Natural and Artificial charaetssts-
tisa About Ia Guayra.,
a Roast % world-wIds IHtsrsss me-
cazss % Rs~sat Iatspaatieaaa
Troueis~-auFrou.ain9 coua-
try sad Features.

The rsesnt state OF vene1ueIan AZ.
fairs in connection with the attempt
on the part Of England and Germany
To force the immediate payment OF
certain financial obligations. and the
fact that this country is more or less
concerned In these events through the
application Of the Monroe doctrine TO
possible complications OF the situa-
tion, has aroused general interest 20
such an extent that description uf
the natural and artificial characteria-
tics of that portion of the country
near the scene OF operations may be
of interest, says the Chicago Tribune.
Near la Guayra. the port ofcntry to
Caracas, the coast is high and rugged.
the mountains rising nearly perpen-
dicular. their bases washed by the
blue waters OF the Caribbean sea.
their submits capped by huge masses
Of billowy clouds.
The town OF la Guayra is on the east
ern side OF small bay. the natural
outlines Of which have been extended
and improved by means of stone
breakwater and quay, which stretches
due west from the eastern extremity
OF the bay.
The buildings OF the town are most
ly one-story In height, built of suH-
dried brick. plastered outside and
painted white or light yellow. and the
roofs are OF red. sun-baked tiles.
Back OF the town. To the south and
east. rise the steep mountain sides, on
spur Of which stands the little for
tifcation of l.avigia. which is reached
10y a narrow path partly hewn out Of
the solid rock.
This fort is practically the sole de-
Tense OF the town. and, as a defense. 10
OF little or no value, ~ its gums are
old and It's walls OF such a nature that
they would rapidly crumble under a
well-directed fire Of modern rifles. A
landing, therefore, could be easily
made even against a strong opposition
when effected under cover Of war
ships. which. on account of the great
depth Of water well Ia shore, can
stand close In.
On the southern side OF the bay
the mountains rccedc from the shore.
forming on the west somewhat ex-
tensiye and very fertile area Of fiat
land.
Eastof La Guayra the mountain bases
are nearer the shore. with here and
there a small-patch Of land sufficient
ly level TO admit OF cultivation 4
short and very primitive railroad runs
along the shore close 10 the water. "a
the little watering place called Ma
cuto. distance Of about four miles
from La Guayra.
The distance from La Guayra 10 Cara
cas- IN an air line il seven miles. bui ow
ing Ia the elevation Of the latter citN
$4,000 feetl. the distance by rail 4
about 25 miles.
The. railroad Is the property Of Ar
English syndicate, and WAS opened
for traffic In 1883. u well construct
ed. and required great engineering
skill To surmount the natural difficult
ties OF the route,
Prom la Guayrn the road runs west
through the little suburb Of Cordonal
and then. turning south and ensi, II
ascends. by means OF a steel viaduct
to IT, artificial ledge ou the side of The
mountains. aud thereafter following
the twists aud turns Of their prvcip
itous sides. passing through three oi
four short tunnels aud over ~ stee
bridges. asce nding 1900 feet Ia dis
tnnce ~ 22a miles and then descending
200 feet into the valley of the Guayr'
river. in which Caracas j. situated
The nature Of the country along thi'
route is such that comparati'rl,
small number Of men could success
fully oppose a vastly superior invading
force.