Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1904-02-25

repay hundred fuld lis cost in tim
and mpney
The island was founded and settlet
a half century before the United
States. bus notwithstanding this
over l3.000,O00 acres ot primeval for
ests exist to tempt with their rich
ness. Cuba produces chiefly sugar
tobacco and coffee, although all trop
ical fruits are grown In abundance
cocoanuts and bananas representing
the greatest article OF commerce. The
island is well watered and It's landl
need no fertilizer, although the greater
cultivated portion has been occupied
in growing sugar cane for many years
The population Of Cuba numbers
about !, ,700,0 600 OF all classes, the ma
tive Cubans being distincti ye as tt
appearance and characteristics. They
are chivalrous, although careless ant
improvident. Slavery was abolished
in 1856, slave labor being replaced bJ
coolie or Chinese workmen, the latter
have been reduced from 100000 tt
probably 10000 souls. The origina
natives found by Columbus were an
initiated practically centuries since
victims to the murderous impulses
and disregard of life by the early
Spanish conquerors, Velasques, Cor
tez and DeSoto figuring In this cate
CORY.
The Cubans are primitive In theil
methods Of agriculture, employing the
same contrivances for the cultivation
Of their crops as did their forefathers
a hundred years since. Their modes oi
living are tempered by their environ
ments, and when 1T is considered that
life is SO easy In the tropics, there is
every excuse for lack of energy and
enterprise. Under the stimulating
influence Of the new conditions, 1t is
beyond doubt but that both island and
people will speedily rise to extreme
heights OF affiuence. The lack of nee.
essity for a revolutionary spirit will
force the natives into peaceful pur.
suits, and the now unused acreage
will grow rich in a harvest possible
only to a Cuban soil.
From scenic point of view Cuba
presents an aspect at once alluring and
inspiring. Its features are PASTORAL in
their loviness. Groves of banana and
orange trees dot the valleys and hill
sides, while the stubby coffee shrub
adorns the slopes of the mountains,
and constantly affords a growing
source OF wealth. Tobacco planta-
ti0ns and sugar estates, the latter OF
gigantic proportions, give the cultiva-
ted areas an appearance of wonderful
richness and fertility, while the great
mills add their quota of material pro-
gress and industry. A trip through
any portion Of the island is replete
with interest, and in the field of forest
the eye falls upon things foreign to
the residents of our own country, and In
consequence thereof, OF extraordinary
attractiveness.
The opportunities for the employ
ment Of capital are illimitable, and OF
great promise. The advantages of the
island In the matter of wealth pro-
duction have not been fully realized,
but the day is not far distant when
American energy and ingenuity will
make Cuba what IL should be--the
richest bit of the new world. The
principal cities of Cuba are: Havana,
with population of 230, 900; Santiago,
Plnar Del Rio, Matanzas, Santa Clara,
Puerto Principe, Manzanillo, Cardenas,
Cienfuegos. In each of these locations
the tourist will find much to interest
and instruct, while In the people
themselves, hospitable and intelligent,
as rule, will be found the elements Of
culture and future greatness.
| can see large improvements since
l was here last year. Americans are
locating all over this island, and in
time this will be the garden spot of
the world. Enterprise and public
spirit go with Americans wherever
they locate. The more one, who lives
IN America, travels the more patriot
ic he becomes. America is alright,
Missouri is all right, Audrain is all
right, but we need a few more people
In Mexico in favor of paved streets.
r. M. WHITE.