The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1903-04-19

after its discovery by Columbus it was
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 a Spanish penal
institution. a colony being established
in which the majority were political
offenders. When Spain yielded in the
recent war, she relinqufshed all con-
troll Of tlse island. and 1t has ever since
been a matter Of doubt whether the
United States or Cuba will have ulti-.
mate control.
Fran geographical standpoint the
island would prove valuable Access
sion to any country interested in South
american affairs In the same iongi-
sfude as Tampa, Fla, and in the same
latitude as Yucatan. Mexico. 1t is re-
garded as a strategic key to the Carib-
bean sea and the Yucatan channel,
which connects the Caribbean sea with
the gulf of Mexico. 1t il situated about
sixty miles south of the western end
of Cuba. Attention to its desirability
as a 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-5
ed a 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 1t re-
quires a day to complete the journey.
the last thirty miles of which are by
rail.
The Isle Of Pines has 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
chain of lagoons which stretches
across the southern section. Tie soil
of the northern part is remarkably fer
tile, as the industrious Americans who
have inmigrated hither can testify.
Isle Of Pines potatoes are greatly de-
sired by the people of Cuba and bring
in the Havana markets 4 higher price
than do the potatoes of the United
States. Tobacco grows luxuriantIy, and
sugar cane is a staple product. Pine
apples. which grew wild In such album
dance as to give the island its name.
are successfully cultivated for the
American market.
The woods of the island are also
source of much profit 70 the invading
Americans. In the forests are found
such woods as the cedar, oak. piao de
tea, oeuja, sabrina. eapeche, fustic CO.
Goa, ebony, mahogany walnut, ceilia
nlaronon. maiugua and the royal palm
For centuries tile natives, ignorant of
the high prices some Of these would
bring in a foreign market have been
using them lavislily for ordinary strlc
tural purposes. and thus ii II that we
find beneath the whftewash of the old
Spanish prison here the rarest nIahog-
any and ebony Another industry which
may soon be set on solid basis Is.
marble quarayina. for quarries are to-
be found here containing delicate VI.
rfeties Of white, pink md green stone.
The liora and fanna of the island are
extensive, as might e expected from
the climatieal coIsait pns. Naturaiists
ssEI.f 419ssss 80, ~ ~. f,,tz,,E7 rs.,..
200 species of birds. in the water fully
TOO species Of fish, as well as countless
forms of insect and amphibian life in
the southern everglades After night
fall the lagoons glow with all manner
of strange phosph oresceft lights, The
most picturesque Of the bird family is
one which stalks about on lily pads and
boasts blue head feathers, creamy
white body. 4 scarlet breast. an orange
bill and green lights
JOSEPH e MORTON.