Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1905-08-25

liable. The name Midway" explains
In word their exact position In the
Pacific, AMI they lie within q few de-
grees OF the megtdtaa which divides
the eastern AMI WESTERN hemtsphereS.
The Midway Islands were discovered
and claimed rs possessions Of the Uni
ted States IN tS19 by Captain Roeks,
Of the Gambia, The islands are two
in number. entirely eneirrlea by a
coral reef eighteen miles in cireum'
ference, with the exception'of an open
ing on the northeast, which permits
the admission of vessels Of less than
eighteen feet draft.
Sand Island, the larger of the two, Is
about 900 acres in extent, aud is aptly
named, it being entirely a desert of
fine coral sand, upon the light surface
Of which the sun shines with dazzling
brilliancy. Its companion island. oddly
enough, presents another extreme OF
barrenness rock. paradoxically
named Green Island from its utter
lack Of vegetation. There are, how
ever, large deposits of guano in its
rocky crevices, and, as is the case with
Sand Island, countless thousands Of
birds find habitation on its surface.
The coral reef round the islands pro-
tects them in measure from the high
seas of the deepest portions Of the Pa
cific. Soundings taken within the vi
cinity have shown the depth of 1900
feet, with vague and sudden fluctua-
tons of ocean bottom. The climate is
delightful, the temperature being mild
and not subject to great variations
during the different seasons. 1t is per-
petual summer here, but without the
enervating effects of excessive heat.
Sand Island is the better suited for
human habitation, although its barren
surface offers bat poor hospitality.
The highest point, that on which the
flag of the United States now flies, is q
mere sand dune, ten feet above the
general level of the ground. There are
a number of less pretentious dunes,
formed and held intact by the roots Of
a small dense shrub, groups of which
are sparingly distributed over the rest
of the island.
In the thick shrubbery millions of
birds abound, and in nesting time lay
their eggs fiat on the sand. Terms, of
several varieties, boatswain's birds,
gooneys, albatrOsses, sea pigeons, plo-
nd IF 20
cies which are found in great num-
bers.
In walking through these rOOkeries,
immense clouds of birds are aroused,
and their flight veritably darkens the
sky, while during the nesting season
eggs are demolished at every step. If
clouds of the birds are disturbed and
fly away at the approach Of man. there
are as many more that prefer quietly
to sit at his feet, even sometimes snap
ping. as if resenting his intrusion on
their sacred precincts. Of late years
the island has been frequently visited
by Japanese for the purpose of obtain
ing the birds feathers, practice
Which, HIS III tuc oCdlh VI
thousands of the beautiful birds.
The United States Government,
however, proposes to put stop to this
indiscriminate slaughter of the innO-
cents. Plover and curlew are two spe
cies of game birds, the flesh of which
is extremely palatable, and the eggs
of the tern, closely resembling those OF
the bantam chickens, are also highly
priced as food. When one desires
these eggs all that is necessary is to
clear a space in one of the roOkeries,
where fresh laid eggs may be collected
every morning.
If the islands are barren and I'M
fruitful and so sun-baked that the
glare necessitates smoked glasses Of
the darkest shade, the marine life
abounds in color and magnificence.
Tropical fish in all the glory of multi
tudinous shades of vivid cOlOrs abound
in the water, while sharks, sea ele-
plants and setaceOus animals are also
to be found. Fishing here Is delightful
sport. and some of the widest fish"
stories are related of the sizes of the |
catches.
The most recent chapter in the his |
tory of these two dreary isles and the |
one which has directed public attention |
more or less to their strategic impor-
lance. was recently consummated |
through the choice of Sand Island as |
one of the relay stations for the new |
Pacific cable, which has united Uncle |
Sans new possessions in the far Pa
ciflc with the seat of government
When Hawaii and the Philippines
came into the possession Of the United
States, direct and efficient means Of
telegraph communication was wanting.
President Mckinley was quick to real
ize just what such bond with our
new possessions would mean both to
the land and water forces Of this cOun-
try stationed there. In his message to
Congress on February 10, 1890, he di-
'ected attention to the necessity for
such a bond. and urged the considera
ion of the matter by both houses.
The means of communication then in
vogue called for at least fifteen or six
cen different stations. controlled for
he most part by European corpora
ions. The rate charged was then
$3.50 per word, and the Government
vas paying, up to the end of the Phil
ppine instruction. about 100000 a
rear for its messages.
1t was at this time that the late John
". Mackay offered his aid to the Gov
srnment, outlining the plan which,
With a few unimportant changes, is
low in operation. During the winter
lie offered Congress to lay the cable
purely as a private enterprise, and
.l;,,o. GO Garnrn. L