Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-11-16

greatest length is forty-three miles
on extreme width thirty-three miles.
Speaking generally the surface is a
plateau of from fifty to 100 feet eleva-
ton, broken by ridges and hills, hav-
lug magnificent scenery. The north
ern portion Is covered with pine trees
and the soil Is adapted particularly to
the cultivation of tobacco and Of
woods. The southern portion is very
flat, but slightly above sea level
and is occupied chiefly by fishermen.
There are several rivers and harbors,
and few miles from Neuva Corona,
the capital of the island, there is
harbor of sufficient depth to permit the
landing of ships drawing seventeen
feet Of water.
At present the best way to reach
the Isle of Pines is via Havana to
Batabona, thence by regular line of
steamers to Neuva Corona, fifty-four
miles. A wireless telegraph station
has been authorized by the authorities
of Cuba and small telephone system
the island
There are no railroads but some
fairly good wagon roads which are
htpL III BOOQ COuQltlOn.
Population Is About 1900.
The population Of the island is about
$500. The capital, Nheva Corona is
beautifully situated near the sea-.
Water is supplied by a spring of
magnetism properties very helpful In
stomach troubles. Santa Fe Is the
only town Of much consequence aside
from Nueva Corona, from which it is
eleven miles distance. There are
about thirty small villages and ham.
lets scattered over the island.
The island produces all kinds of trop-
ical fruits and certain portions possess
that peculiar soil of the "vuelta afajo"'
district of Cuba. Sugar may also be
grown to advantage Exports have not
been large during the past year owing
to poor transportation facilities. Poul-
try and live stock do we'll the year
round. Hogs fatten on the wild fruits
and palm nuts and cattle on the rich
grasses. The island appears to be we'll
adapted to grazing and will doubtless
ultimately supply the West Indies
with much Of their beef.
There Is one bank, known as the Isle
Of Pines bank, which opened for bust
ness last May and is doing profitable
business. Both American currency
and Cuban money are used by the peo-
pie, although the American money is
always at a premium of about IS per
cent in comparison with Spanish sill
YER
The question of title-who holds
sovereignty over the island-has, had
the effect to prevent the Isle of Pines
settling more rapidly. 1t is declared
that if the island should become the
property of the United States 1t would
rapidly fill up with people from this
country who are waiting to see. the out
come of the matter, but who will not
go there in case the island is de-
clared to belong to Cuba. The Isle of
Pines Appeal, the only newspaper pub
lished on the island, has long been in
sistent and loud in its demands that
the United States shall not permit the
island to slip away and thus a gem in
the Barlbbean sea be practically lost
not only to the United States, but to
the world as well. Notwithstanding
all this, and the appeals of the people
to their senators to save the island to
this country, the chances have always
appeared to favor the turning over of
the Isle of Pines to Cuba.
Action Creates Surprise.
washington, D. c., Nov. 15.-Much
surprise was created in official circles
today over the announcement con-
tanned in last nights press dispatches
of the establ .hment Of territorial
government by American residents in
the Isle of Pines.
No Encouragement In Washington.
No official advices indicating such
action have been received here yet,
but the reported secession from Cu-
ban control is vigorously deprecated
here and it can be stated that the
seceders will receive no encourage
ment from the administration.
The largest stock of Overcoats be-