Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1916-06-14
IN THE GULF, OFF VERA CRUZ.
MIR. Alexander Writes Of Mexico, Her
Wealth and Troubles.

June ISL, ~ b.-"-(O1f Anchorage or
Vera Cruz )--Itditor Kcowee Courier:
Once more | am taking the liberty
of writing through your columns Il
short article that | think will be Of
interest, at least to some OF your
readers.
Leaving the Charlestown Navy
Yard, Boston, Mass, ,'Iay 22d, and
steaming south for ten days without
a stop of the engines, we find our
selves, after delightful voyage
along the coast Of the States.
through the Straits OF Florida
across the Gulf of Mexico, lying off
Vera Cruz, in the shadow Of OriZaba
Half a mile off the long, low shore
stretches north and south, with tho
white town upon il. fiat roofs making
level lines on the houses gIaring in
the morning sunlight, domcs and
church towers rising above the rest.
Glimpses Of bright green tree tops
are to be seen, but outside the city
all Is barren and waste. The plain
behind rolls up. however. and the
background Is the peak OF snow-cap-
ped Orizaba, silent, lofty, 1886 feet
above our level.
This is what we see to-day from
the deck Of our large and spacious
man-of-war, which has brought us
easily, and safely. through rough
seas and the green waters OF the
Gulf. Our only anxiety has been the
possible chance OF a "n0rthcr." which
may break loose at any time In the
Gulf region. sweeping over the waters
with fury and driving the stoutest
vessels away from the coast they
would approach. Our only exertion
has been to Keep cool upon the pleas
ant deck, shaded from the burning
tropical s,.., by a heavy awning. and
to take enough exercise to he able to
enjoy the frequent rood provided by
our colorcd Carolina chef.
The scenery before us is the same
that Fcrnado Cortcs looked upon for
the first time almost 400 years ago,
November. 1919, to be cxacD, when
he. too. cast anchor about a half mile
from the coast and scanned the
shore With anxious eye to find suit
able landing. OriZaba rose before
him, as now we see it, stately, ma jes-
tic, cold and forbidding, under it's
mantle of snow.
Nnro H., To- e
Cortes in 1919. has been the scene of
many historical events and OF much
blOOdshed. Vera Cruz was first
called by Cortes the "Rich City Of the
True Cross because Of the wealth OF
natural resources which abound in all
Mexico. Later, because OF yellow
fever, vonito. and all the pests OF \
tropical region, it was called '"rhc
City OF the Dcad.' but to-day under
much improved conditions the health
Of the city is very good indeed for
this region.
Not to mention all the revolutions
that have been almost continuous for
the past 400 years in and around
Vera Cruz. nor the Spanish struggles
there, nor the attempt OF the French
to take charge OF the city and coun-
try, 1t may be sufficient to remind
you Of our own struggle which took
place when Gen. Scott landed there
March 9th, 1Si7, with $4,000 men
and accomplished his purpose, and
again, not three years ago, when our
fleet took the city; and since that
time our ships have stood by, as we
are doing to-day. to see what will be
the next turn OF a great people who
seemingly are unable to take care OF
themselves
1t is hard to believe that while we
are roasting here in the bay under
tropical sun, only a few miles away
there is snow and ice. Yet we can
see it very plainly on OriZaba pcak.
which is 1886 feet high. At about
five to six thousand feet elevation
there is a delightful climate and
very fertile soil. which produces a
large variety Of vegetables and food
stmffs The person who thinks that
all Mexico is hot waste Of country
makes big mistake. doubt if
there Is country in all the world
that produces a larger variety OF
splendid fruits and foodstuffs than
does Mexico. Her exports in 1912
amounted to s12S,000. 900, and her