The Raymer enterprise., 1915-11-04
Y ! 7

Entirely alone, Don Alblno could make no head
way with his project of getting rich quickly and
taking advantage OF a passing vessel, went back
to Nalladolid. The cotton he had succeeded In
planting before his mozos deserted him was al
lowed to grow Wild and the island once more
was completely abandoned by man
It was not until lSiS that Cozumel was again
Inhabited. The revolution which caused Yucatan
and Campeche TO separate had deprived many
citizens of the means of livelihood. and for ma
terial as well as political reasons 1t became
necessary Tor them to seek pastures new The
federal government offered TO help them, proyid
ed they would leave the peninsula. But to where
could they be transplanted? Being Yucatecos
quick 10 resent the paternalism Of the govern
ment, and always suspicious Of the party in
Offices bona fdes they we're Of a spirit difficult
TO keep under restraint and more than likely to
soon become unruly again Therefore TO allow
them TO migrate to the central states, or even to
the regions bordering on the Gulf Of Mexico. was
out of the question. it was imperative that they
be kept apart from the more docile peoples of the
republic lest they noculate the latter with the
political restlessness that had been their own un
doing. Finally II was agreed that they should be
taken to Cozumel This arrangement was duly
consummated, and everything necessary TO enable
the exiles to make good start was furnished
gratutously by the government. After very
many vieissitudes the colony thus launched
gradually settled itself into place, becoming at
the expiration of decade or so firmly estab
lished, and Cozumel is today the TERRA" or
homeland of as hardy and independent set OF
islanders-half farmers. half fshermen-as can
be found anywhere in the Antilles.
The present population OF Cozumel numbers
some fourteen hundred souls The capital. San
Miguel is credited with 800 and the village Of FL
Cedral has about ljo; the remainder are scat
tered among the numerous ranches
San Miguel Is quite thriving. well.formed
town. 1t has several wide, clean streets: a plaza
very presentabie little church. one large gen.
eral store and several small ones an inn. and
municipal offices and customhouse; II also boasts
sort OF esplanade running along the entire sea
front, at one end of which is the lighthouse and
at the other landing Ietty Although most Of
the buildings are palm thatched cottages. there
are several strongly built stone houses and the
main street has two-story brick house and
modern bungalow.
The only regular communication with the out
side world is BY government transport These
steamers call twice each month to leave and
collect mail when en- route with troops and sup
plies to and from Vera Cruz and the military sta
tons of Quintana Roo
Health conditions in Cozumel are eytra ely
good when the tropical climate OF the island is
taken into account. The normal rate OF mortality
averages II per 1000 EpidemicS are very rare
indeed. practically unknown
The great majority OF the cozumei islanders
are poor, so far as possessing surplus OF this
worlds goods is concerned being satisfied with
a hand.to.mouth existence.
Among the very few articles exported frcm the
island are sponges. but the quantity is limited
and the quality not very fine More than one a,.
tempt has heen made by foreigners TO fully ex
ploit the sponge business here. but all efforts TO
make 1t profitable on large scale have failed.
There are very many ruins on the island
some OF which ! saw and to the extent Of my
limited time and ability examined-the arehitec.
tura beauty and general plan OF which provide
irrefutable evidence that the early inhabitants
we're intelligent and cultured TO degree more
than surprising.