The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1903-05-09
TRINIDAD's PROSPERITY.
Cultivation Of the Cocoa Plant Has
Increased Islands Wealth.

Al time wien the majority OF lnS
West India islands are groaning un-
der the consequence of depression in
the sugar trade and are looking with
lingering hope to the operation Of
the abolition of foreign bounties,
Trinidad, says he London Times, may
be described as in a state of booming
prosperity. Sweet are the uses of ad-
versity. A quarter of a century ago,
when the pinching Of the shoe of the
cane planter was first felt, Trinidad.
like her sister islands, was chiefly de-
pendent on the sugar market. This
failing them, the inhabitants did not
fold their hands and lament their
evil lot. Endowed with the inherit
ance Of a fertile country, they re-
solved to cultivate some product
other than hal which had enriched
their fathers. They found it at hand
in the cocoa plant, the yield from
which, in addition to other sourceso of
revenue, has multiplied exports till
to-day the revenue exceeds the most
sanguine expectations of 80 years
ago.
Most southern of the islands, Trim
dad lies close to the Spanish main,
of which, according to geological tes-
timony, it once formed an integral
/ part. In times Of peace it derives
considerable trade from Venezuela,
which, with a more enlightened fiscal
policy on the part of Venezuelan
governments, might easily be
~quadrupled. President Castro made
constant effort to strangle the trade
On all goods imported from Trinidad
he clapped an impost of 80 per cent
Just before the blockade was declared
he prohibited all communication be.
tween the island and the mainland
The consequence was that the ware,
houses in Port of Spain were chokeC
with goods meant for Venezuela
Some relief has been afforded by tn,
action of the British ships now il
these waters. Approaching Caraca
they have given convoy to merchan
ships loaded with cargo. Through
the same kindly offices a number o
Venezuelans waiting at Bolivar TO
passage to Trinidad were safely es
corted. l am told that when the EN-
igrants reached the wharves of Por
of Spain they fell on their knees an,
kissed the soil over which waved tn
flag of free England.
Trinidad, approximating to tn
size of Lancashire, has an area G
100000 acres, of which 100000 ar
cultiyable. According to the censu
taken two years ago, the populatio
is 253,00O, the odd SO, 1000 represent
ing the increase during the last DEF
ade. 1t is mainly Christian, tn
Roman Catholic church claiming tn
largest proportion. There are $500
East Indians, who remain faithfl
to their native creed. In the nortl
ern parts of the island the vulgar lal
guage is a strange French patois.
other parts early parentage is test
fed to by the use of the Spani:
tongue. The ubiquitous Chinese
( not unknown, being generally m.
= with behind the counter of the mi
cellaneous store.
When the slave trade was abe
ished, planters were at their wit
end to obtain field hands. The ma.
united slave came to the concl
sion that he and his forbears hi
worked hard enough for one famil
With abundance yielded as the frui
of the earth and the capacity of liyil
on very little, he found that he cou
in three days earn enough to susta
himself for a week. Why, then, lab
through the remaining four days?I
did not, and the planters were fac
by the prospect of the cane renal
ing uncut. Thereupon was esta
lished a system of immigration. T
East Indies were called upon to
dress the balance created by the nj
state of affairs in the west. r
coolies come here under indenture
serve at a fair wage for five years.
the end Of ten years they may, if tn
please, demand a free return passa
home. l am told there is not me
than one in five who ayails hims
Of this privilege.
Women and Pain.