Sierra County advocate. [volume] (Kingston, N.M.) 1884-1960, 1903-06-05
VENEZUELA'S COAST.
Natural and Artificial Charactsris,
tes About Il Guayra.
4 Psiat 81 WosId- wide Intsrsst Ne.
CAAss - Rsesat Intssnati0aal
Treuhlss-surrounaing Coun.
try ana FsAtusss.

The resent state OF Venezuelan ~.
falrs In connection with the attempt
ON the part Of England and Germany
70 force the immediate payment Of
certain financial obligations and the
TACT that this country is more or less
concerned in these events through the
application of the Monroe doctrine to
possible complications OF the situa-
ton, has aroused general interest TO
such an extent that a description of
the natural and artificial characteris-
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 Of entry to
Caracas, the const 10 high and rugged,
the mountains rising nearly perpen-
daculnr. 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 IL 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 sun
dried brick. plastered outside and
painted white or light yellow, and the
roofs are Of red, snn-baked tiles.
Back Of the town, to the south and
east, rise the steep mountain sides, on
a spur OF which stands the little for
tifcation Of Lavigia, which Is reached
by narrow path partly hewn out Of
the solid rock.
This fort IL practically the sole de-
Tense of the town, and, as defense, 10
Of little or no value. MS its guns arc
old and its wallis of such nature that
they would rapidly crumble under q
well-directed fire Of modern rifles. A
landing. therefore. could be easily
made even agninst strong opposition
when effected under cover of war;
ships, which, on account Of the great
depth of water well In shore, can
stand close In.
On the southern side Of the bay
the mountains recede from the shore,
on the west somewhat ex-
tensive and very fertile area of fat
land.
East Of La Guayrn the mountain bases
Are nearer the shore, with here and
here small patch Of land sufficient
y level to admit of cultivation. A
'hort ahd very primitive railroad runs
llong the shore close to the water, tc
he little watering place called Ma
'uto, distance Of about four milea
rom La Guayra.
The distance from In Guayra TO Cara
as In an air line IL seven miles, but ow-
ng to the elevation Of the latter city
5000 feet), the distance by rail 10
bout 25 miles.
The railroad ia the property Of an
nglish syndicate, and was opened
or traffic In 1883. 1t iswell construct
d, and required great engineering
kill to surmount the natural difiicul-
lee Of the route.
From In 0usyra the road runs west
trough the little suburb of Cardonal.
nd then. turning south and east, IL
'cends. by means of steel viaduct.
} its artificial ledge on the side Of the
and thereafter following
e twists and turns of their precip-
ous SIDES, passing through three or
ur short tunnels and over is steel
idges. ascending $500 feet in a dis
nee OF 222 miles and then descending
feet into the valley of the GuayrA
'er. In which Caracas is situated.
The nature Of the country along this
ute Is such that a comparatively
all number of men could success
ly oppose vastly superior invading