Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1905-03-03
SUNNY SOUTH.
Cuba, Porto Rice, Florida, etc
STEAMER OLIvETTE,
Gulf of Mexico, Jan. "a, 1905.

We have Just sailed from tne harDOr
of Havana, and pleased enough think
we all are to leave that city, not because
we do not appreciate it or Cuba, for we
recognize that the city is large, fairly
well built, and fairly well kept; that its
winter climate is tropical and quite de-
lightful, and Cuba an island of extra
ordinary fertility. In its natural advan-
tages it is garden spot of the world
But foreign surroundings, when we are
50 near home, are not agreeable.
English-speaking America has grown
up against the Spanish colonies; has
assimilated quite number of them, and
will assimulate more. California, New
Mexico, Utah, Arizona, Texas and Flori-
da are now a part of the Union, and
have become to great extent American
lied. Eventually they will become en-
tirely so, for the territories were all large
and sparsely settled under Spanish rule,
but are becoming thickly populated
under American. If Lower California
and Sonora or other northern portions of
Mexico should be added, the same would
be true of them. And so Cuba with an
area of about 46 900 square miles, equal to
PENNSYLVANIA or New York, should easily
maintain several times the population
which it has at present.
All the principal West India islands
were discovered personally by Columbus,
in his different expeditions, and pre-
ceeded his discovery of the continent of
North America. They were inhabited
by savage tribes, or Indians, who were
enslaved by the Spaniards, forced to work
in the mines, and ultimately, as they
attempted to rebel, practically extermi-
mated.
OF these islands Cuba is the largest,
having, according to the British Encyclo-
pedia, an area of $3.50 square miles
and about 100000 population. San
Domingo and Hayti come next with 90
600 square miles and l $50, 900 population.
Jamaica third with 4193 square miles
and 5S0,S04 population. Porto Rice
fourth, about $500 square miles, and
800 600 population. The Bermudas fol
low with 1896 square miles. and $4,000
population. Trinadad has 1854 square
miles, and $4,000 population. These
make an aggregate of 70, 1913, and with q
large number of smaller islands, amount
to a total of 90 ,270 square miles, and
5,O7O, 600 population. OF these, Jamaica
The Bahamas and Trinadad are under
English rule.
Cuba, certainly, of these islands should
be a part of the United States, lying
almost within stones throw of oul
shores. 1t would unquestionably be fol
the interests of Cuba if admitted as
state. Aud it would, too, be for ours
For, as suggested, if annexed, it would
very soon become Americanized, anC
with its more nearly tropical climate
than any we have, never having any
frost except upon its mountains, and it
convenient connection with every AT
lantic seaport from Portland to MAN
and Key West, and then again upon the
weston, it would become the great winter
resort of northern and western states
and much visited from the southern
Steamers from New York reach Havan;
in three days; tickets $40, or $40 fol
round trip, this, of course, including
stateroom and board.
Porto Rico we now own, receiving i
from Spain at the close of the last war
1t is very beautiful and valuable island
divided by quite high range of noun
tains, which are crossed by militar,
road, said to be marvel of engineering
skill and a very beautiful drive. u
Porto Rico the British Encyclopedia, 9tl
edition, says: "Lies between 1850 ant
1880 north latitude, and has an area o
$3.50 square miles. From east to wes
it is traversed by range Of hills O.
situated that the streams flowing north
ward are much longer than those flowing
south. The highest district, however
and the highest peak, Ell Yunque (360C
feet), are situated in the Sierra Loquillo
near the northeast corner"
The island is exceptionally wei
watered, with 1900 streams enumerated
of which AZ are considerable rivers; ant
its general appearance is very beautiful
Forests still cover all the higher parts O
the hills. Besides the two staples-suga
and coffee-tobacco, cotton, rice, maize
oranges, cocoanuts, and other tropics
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