The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-09-23

wax. and an important industry In the
manufacture of cigars.
oriente. the mountainous province at
the eastern end of the island, Is the
principal seat OF Cubas mineral wealth.
1t contains ancient mines that were
worked by the Spaniards with Indian
labor In the days of De Soto. Some OF
these. notably the copper mines OF Cobre.
are at present In operation. The Spanish
American Company's iron mines situ-
ated about six miles inland from Daiquiri.
and connected with the coast by q
broad-gauge railway. The output OF these
mines Is increasing, and there does not
appear to be any limit TO the ore In sight
The Juragua Iron Company has q mine
in this region. situated like that OF the
Spanish-American Company's about six
miles from the sea, and. like II. having
railroad connection with Its own pier.
1t is not alone for It's mineral deposits.
however. that Orienre Is notable. The ex-
tremely fertile Valley OF Guantanamo con-
talns some OF the largest and best sugar
plantations in Cuba. A similar district il
that running back from Manzanillo Bay
to Bayamo. The latter place, one Of the
most picturesque Of all old Cuban towns,
was destroyed during the Ten Years War
and Is now a mass of ruins. From Baya-
mo, extending to the north, II q fne, roll
Ing country. where previous to the war
countless herds 4, cattle and horses
grazed. There are signs OF a revival OF
the old stockraising industry in these
parts.
Baracoa. to the west OF Cape Maisi. II
the oldest settlement in Cuba. having
been founded In 1912 by veiasQuez. who
was sent by Diego Columbus from San
Domingo to coloniEe the island. To Tho
west of Baracoa is Nipe Bay. one or the
finest harbors of the world. Inland In
this vicinity Is a wonderfully fertile com.
try adapted to the cultivation OF tobacco
and almost any kind of vegetables. Tho
new town OF Antiila, on the bay. 10 a
terminus of the Cuba Railroad. and. II
present plans are carried to their ma.
turity, 1t will be one Of the principal
cities OF Eastern Cuba. The port viii
be but two and a half days steam from
New York, and the project contemplates
maEiL6 1t great point OF supply Cor
tnat City. There are always a numoer
of orchards and vegetable farms In the
country surrounding the bay. and the
United Fruit Company's steamers main
tain a regular service between Nlpe aud
Banes Bays and New York.
The resources OF Oriente or Santiago
province are more varied than those of
any other. and will probably prove on
development to be more rich. This por-
ton Of the country presents exceptional
opportunities to industrious Americans
with small capital. The once profitable
cafetales will undoubtedly be reclaimed.
and the old-time coffee trade OF Cuba
be revived. at least to q considerable ex-
tent. There Is room for the small sugar
cultivator under agreement with some
mill owner. Cocoanuts may be made the
source OF large profits with comparative
" little expenditure OF money. Garden
truck grows with great rapidity, and
needs but little working. In my next
article 1 hope to convey q moro definite
Idea of The development OF the indus
tries and commerce OF Cuba. and the pro-
jectod .inprt vementA
c. Il. FORBES LINDSAY.