The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1905-10-17

commercial world they are hlghly val
liable. The name midway" explains
in a word their exact position in the
Pacific, and they lie within a few de
grees of the meridian which divides
the eastern and western hemispheres.
The Midway Islands were discovered
and claimed as possessions of the Uni
ted States in 1859 by Captain Brooks
of the Gambia. The islands are two
in number, entirely encircled by q
coral reef eighteen miles in circum
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, and is aptly
named, it being entirely desert of
fine coral sand, upon the light surface
of which the sun shines with dazzling
brilliancy. It's companion island, oddly
enough, presents another extreme of
barrenness "a rock, paradoXically
named Green Island from its utter
lack of vegetation. There are, how
ever, large deposits of gugno 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 a 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 but poor hospitality.
The highest point, that on which the
flag of the United States now flies, is a
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 fat ON the sand. Terms. of
several varieties, boatswain's birds.
gooneys, albatrOsses, sea pigeons, plo-
yer and curlew are a few of the spe-
cies which are found in great num-
bers.
In walking through these rookeries.
immense clouds of birds are aroused.
and their fight vertically 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 has resulted in the death Of
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.
II the islands are barren and nm
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 "fshp
stories are related of the sizes of the |
catches.
The most recent chapter in the his |
tory of these two dreary isles. and the
Dne 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
,ific with the seat of government.
When Hawaii and the Philinninas
came into the possession of the United
States, direct and efficient means of
telegraph communication was wanting
President Mckinley was quick to real
re just what such bond with orr
lew possessions would mean both to
he land and water forces of this conn.
ry stationed there. In his message To
Congress on February 10, 1899. he d.
'ected attention to the necessity for
'uch a bond, and urged the considers.
ion of the matter by both houses
The means of communication then in
'ogue called for at least fifteen or six.
cen different stations, controlled for
he most part by European corpora-
ions. The rate charged was then
2.35 per word, and the Government
vas paying, up to the end of the phil
ppine instruction, about $500 600 a
ear for its messages.
. III. l