Sierra County advocate. [volume] (Kingston, N.M.) 1884-1960, 1904-03-25
yENEZUELA'S COAST.
Natural and Artificial Characteris-
dcs About La Cuayra.
A Point Of Worldwide Interest Ne.
CAsAse of Recent Intsrnatieasl
Troublsu-surroundi Coua.
try and Features.

The recent state of Venezuelan Of.
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 10 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 description Of
the natural and artificial charaeteris-
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 ofentry 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 Gunyra Is on the east
ern side Of small bay. the natural
outlines Of which have been extended
and improved by means of q stone
breakwater aud 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 suA-
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. %
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 10 practically y sole de-
fense Of the town, and, as a aefense, 10
OF little or no value, as its guns are
old and its walls OF such a nature that
they would rapidly crumble under
well-directed fire of modern rifles. A
landing, therefore, could be easily
made even against strong opposition
when effected under cover of war;
ships, which, on account of the eat
depth of water well in shore, an
stand close In.
On the southern side Of the ay
the mountains recede from the ri Z.
forming on the west a somewhat sg~
tensive and very fertile area OF A.
land.
East of In Guayra the mountain bas
are nearer the shore, wi rere and
there small patch of laid iciens-
ly level to admit Of cultivation. a
short and very primitive railrood runs
along the shore close to the water. tc
the liitle watering place called Na-
cuto, n distances OF abou - 'nileH
rom la Gunyra.
The distance from La cue a A.a-
,as In an air line is seven Inlles tu ow-
ng to the elevation of the latter city
5000 feet), the distance by rail is
about 25 miles.
The railroad Is the property Of I'm
english syndicate, and was opened
'or traffic in 1883. II is well construct
ID, and required great engineering
kill to surmount the natural difficul-
les OF the route.
From La Guayra the road runs west
through the little suburb of Cardonsl,
nd then, turning south and east, II
scends, by means OF steel viaduct.
o its artificial ledge on the side of the
md thereafter following
he twists and turns of their precip-
Gus sides, passing through three or
,ur short tunnels and over IS steel
ridges, ascending a,e00 feet in a dis
apce Of 222 miles and then descending
10 feet into the valley OF the Guayra
yer. in which Caracas II situated.
The nature Of the country along this
'ute is such that . comparatively
nall number OF men could success
lily oppose vastly superior invading
'rce.