Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1916-12-15
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DANISH. WEST INDIES

COPENHAGEN. Dec. l5.-An cleo
tion was held in Denmark yesterday to
determine whether OF not the Danish
government should sell her posses
sions In the West Indies to the United
States. rherS wIs Il zig majority in
farSr Of the transfer and It is expected
the United States will soon arrange to
take over the islands OF ST. Thomas,
ST. John and st. C:uix. -
These islands arr we: mall but viii
be OF considerable value to the United
States from a naval standpoint. The
entire area OF the three islands covers
only one hundred and thirty-eight
square miles, the smallest of the three
containing but twenty-onc square
miles, being the size of. the Island OF
st. John. The island of ST. Thomas
comes next in size and has thirty-threc
square miles. while the Island of ST.
Croix contains eighty-four.
These islands are also very popular
among travellers. thousands visiting
them every year and many wealthy
people remaining there the year round.
They lie In the tropical region of the
Caribbean Sea somewhat to the east
of the Island of Porto Rico, and are
| open on one side to the broad Atlantic.
In geological definition the whole OF
the West Indies are the SUBMITS of n
submerged mountain chain, the con-
tinuation of which toward the west
must be sought in the mountains. of
Honduras. In Hayti the chain divides.
one branch passing through jamaica
and the ether through Cuba, the CAY
man Islands and the Misteriosa Bank.
Tie West Indies are sometimes re.
ferred to as the Antilles. They arc al
archipelago stretching in the shape Of
rude arc or parabola from Florida 10
fncalan in Central America and to
venezuela in South America, and tho,
enclose the Caribbean Sea, an eypans..
Of water covering 615,000 Square
miles: they also form an outer wall fo,
the Gulf of Mexico. which is nearI,
lOO.OOn square miles larger than tho
Caribbean.
The extreme heat OF the tropical
zone is tempered by the sea breezes
ana The long, cool, refreshing nights.
Frost Is occasionally formed in tho
cold season when hail falls, but snow
Is unknown. The short wet season OF
spring begins in April and lasts from,
TWO 10 SIX weeks. This is succeeded
ny the short dry season. when the ther
mometcr remains almost stationery ,t
about so degrees.
In July the heat increases 10 an OK
tent almost unbearable NO change or.
ours I'LL after period which varies
from the latter part of July 10 the emf
ot October. when the great rainfall for
the year begins. accompanied by trc.
ncndoIs and destructive hurricanes
IRIS season Is logically known as th.
hurricane months. The annual rainfall
averages about 63 inches. Tboso
storms arise in the Atlantic and 10.
ward the east. For a day or two they
follow westerly course, inclininr onc
or TWO points TO the north, the polar
tendency gradually becoming more
marked as the distance from the eoua-
tor increases.
"hcn the hurricanes reach the Iattj.
tude OF 25 degrees north, they curve
10 the northeast, and almost invariably
wheel round on arriving at the north.
ern portion OF The Gulf of Mexico, after
which they follow the coast line Of
North America. The rate OF spced
varies considerably, but may bc said I'm
average three hundred miles per day
among the islands. The usual signs OF
'he approach Of the hurricanes are an
ugly ana threatening appearance of
'he weather. sharp and frequent purfg
OF wind. increasing in force with eocb
Diast' accompanied with n long hcnyy
swell and confused choppy sea. coming
from inc direction of the approaching
Storm. December marks the BEGINNING
OF the long dry season, which. accom-.
PANIED by fresh winds and occasional
nail showers. lasts until April.
Tic flora of the islands Is of great
variety and richness, as plants have
been introduced from most parts of IN,
globe. and flourish either In the wild
state or under cultivation: grain, vcpc.
tables and fruits, generally common in
coo' climates. may be seen growing in
luNnriance within short distance Of
like plants which only attain pcrrec.
ton under the influence of extreme