The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1913-05-22

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PERFORMANCES D.
for communication with all ports of the
West Indies and the Caribbean Sea.
We sailed from Jamaica on S. S. Presi-
dent for Porto Rico, taking in on our
way all coast cities in Haiti and Santo
Domingo. The voyage lasted 10 days.
Few women take this voyage. | was
the only lady passenger travelling first
class.
First city was Jerepie, Haiti, a little
town insi gulf. Landing in surf.
Untouched by Americans. Exports ex-
cel!ent cacao. Port au Prince, the CAPT.
tai of Haiti, we reached the next day.
Population $4,000 and distance of l 1867
miles from New York. Volume of bust
ness as great as that of any port of its
size in the world. Not attractive in ap-
pearance. 1ll-paved and unlighted
streets. National palace entirely de-
stroyed short time ago. Hottest place
in the West Indies, but strange to say
not unhealthy. Mostly French and Ger
man merchants. The language is French.
Once more we visited Jeremie, and
then On to Aux Cages. Destroyed by
fire two years since. now rebuilt. New
hotel and buildings, built fire proof. We
saw the first glimpses of the Carnival
here on Sunday afternoon. We loaded
coffee all day in this port.
We then passed on to Aquin, small
town with good harbor. Some passen-
gers came aboard here. JAG mel was the
next coast city. Its surrounding country
abounds with wild coffee Its a clean
looking port from the ship and very at
tractive to look upon. Fine harbor
At night we ran into very rough sea
and although S. S. President appeared
to be seaworthy craft her construction
(being built with fiat bottom especial
ly for the trade around the COAST caused
her to toss like a feather on the high seas
and together with a few other travellers
we huddled in her stairways for the
night.
From Azua we sailed on to Santo Do
mingo City. The invasion of the Span
ish has made this part of the island
quite different. 1t has progressed more
rapidly than it's rival sister. The boun-
Diary line between Haiti and Santo Do
mingo marks many revolution. Santo
Domingo city is thriving business CEN
ter, although the country generally is
unsettled as regards government. The
inner walled city covers about 200 acres.
but the newer town is rapidly growing
beyond. Fine anchorage up the river,
although bar obstructs the entrance.
Until the French took possession in 1785
the bores of Columbus rested there in
the cathedral, but were then removed to
Havana. The natives still boast of the
fact that the remains of the founder are
located here.
pnIrn Maro ic oil att
but commercially important. The new
coris, is called La Romania A large
sugar mill between the two places has
thousands of acres of sugar cane now
growing there. If the government were
settled there would be great oppor-
tunities for Americans.
Porto Rico, better known to all Ameri-
cans than most other islands, was
reached after Santo Domingo. We
were on the Island about one month and
visited all the cities of Importance. San
Juan, the capital, is 1923 miles from
New York. cid town, on an island, is
connected with the main land by bridges.
1t has the usual Moro Castle on rocky
point towards the sea. Inner harbor
a broad and a beautiful hay. There
are interesting Notifications, parade
grounds and the house of Ponce de Leon
where his ashes were preserved. The
streets are somewhat wider than in
Havana and there is we'll shaded plaza,
cathedral, university, modern schools,
electricity, trolleys etc. 1t is termi-
nus of the railroad.
Ponce and Mayaguez are the two
other important cities. The island is
very charming, interior mountainous, well
wooded and watered. Few harbors on
its coast line. Magnificent roads, eli
mate warm and healthful. Best time to
visit January to May.
Curacao, the famous Dutch Island, is
one nights run from Venezuela. We
touched here on our way from Porto
Rico to La Guira. This place is most
interesting, clean, healthful, wind-swept
and quaint. Really two towns Joined by
small toll bridge with shi p channel
between. 1t is free port. The inhab-
itants are some farmers but most of
them are engaged in commerce, not to
say smuggling.
All languages are spoken by nearly all
the inhabitants. The famous Curacao
Liqueur, made of orange peel, is the
favorite beverage.
Next day we arrived at La Guira,
Venezuela. ''La Guira"? said the
American Canal Zone Dr., when ask
ed about Venezuela's front door. "Its
fever hole. We quarantine against it!''
LA Guira" says the native, Bonita!
Preciosa! but complimentary adjec-
tives fail him. He kisses his hands to
it. l have found no S. A. port more
picturesque. Here the mist-crowned
Andes battle their feet in the sea. Like
nimble Alpine goats the little pink and
blue houses of the old town climb the
hills and overhang the cliffs. Viewed
from the Caribbean the few level streets
by the shore are scarcely visible"
Caracas is reached by zigzag railroad
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