The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-04-23


after it's discovery by Columbus 1t wa
the rendezvous Of pirate fleets. who
preyed on merchantmen as far north
as the Carolinas and as far south as
Brazil. Many are the tales told of the
famous buccaneers who held sway
here. Later the island became notori-
Gus as the location of Spanish penal
institution, colony being established
in which the majority were political
offenders. When Spain yielded in the
recent war, she relinquished all con-
troll of the island, and it has ever since
been a matter of doubt whether the
United States or Cuba will have ulti-
mate control.
From geographical standpoint the
island would prove valuable Access
sion to any country interested in South
American affairs. In the same longi-
tude as Tampa, Fla, and in the same
latitude as Tucatan. Mexico. it is re-
garded as strategic key to the Carib-
bean sea and the Yucatan channel,
which connects the Caribbean sea with
the gulf of Mexico. It is situated about
sixty miles south of the western end
Of Cuba. Attention to its desirability
as naval base has been evoked anew
by the little miXup between Venezuela
and the powers.
In size the island is about as large as
the state of Rhode Island. This town is
its principal northern port and is locat-
ed short distance up the Rio de Ger
70. There is steamship service from
here to Batabano. Cuba. the distance
from Nueva Corona to Havana being
total of only ninety miles. Neverthe.
less under existing conditions it re-
quires day to complete the journey,
the last thirty miles of which are by
rail-
The Isle of Pines has a population of
about 5000, the majority of the island
ers dwelling in the mountainous dis
tricts Of the northern side. In fact. the
southern side is practically uninhabit-
able. as at high tide the sea mandates
a chain of lagoons which stretches
across the southern section. The soil
Of the northern part is remarkably fer
tile. as the industrious Americans who
have immfgrated hither can testify.
Isle of Pines potatoes are greatly de-
sired by the people of Cuba and bring
in the Havana markets higher price
than do the potatoes of the United
States. Tobacco grows luxuriantly, and
sugar cane is staple product. Pine
apples, which grew wild in such abun-
dance as to give the island its name,
are successfully cultivated for the
American market.
The woods of the island are also a
source Of much profit to the invading
Americans In the forests are found
&4sh woods as the cedar, oak, Pine de
ocuja, sabrina. capeche, fustic, CO
d. ebony, mahogany, walnut ceiba,
maronon. majugua and the royal palm.
For centuries the natives, ignorant of
the high prices some OF these would
bring in foreign market, have been
using them lavishiy for ordinary struc-
tural purposes. and thus it is that we
lind beneath the whitewash of the old
Spanish prison here the rarest nlaloc-
any and ebony. Another industry which
may soon be set on a solid basis is |
marble quarrying. for auarries are TO |
be found here containing delicate va
rieties of white, pink and green stone.
The Hora and fauna of the island are |
extensive, as might be expected from
the climatieal conditions. NaturaIists /
assert that there are to be found here |
200 species of birds, in the water fully
100 species of fish. as well as countless |
forms of insect and anphibian life in I
the southern everglades. After night /
tall the lagoons glow with all manner
OF strange phosphorescent lights. The |
most picturesque of the bird family is
one which stalks about on lily pads and /
boasts blue head feathers, creamy
White body, scarlet breast. an orange
bill and green lights.
JOSEPH L. MORTON.