The Redwood gazette., 1917-05-23

ing from the discovery of the
western hemisphere by Colum-
bus in 1892, up to the birth of
the new republic in 1902, Cuba
lived thru a period so frought
with persecution, war and pesti-
lance that the outside world had
come to look on her as synonym
for disease, danger and death.
The destruction of the Maine
was the signal for the last act
in the tragedy of what has been
called 'The Lost Eden" With
the passing of the first Ameri-
can Intervention there was de-
livered to the world paradise
Regained." With the raising of
the national emblem of liberty
new star was added to the
armament of free republics.
The island of Cuba, lying as
it does between the Gulf of Mex
leo and the southern seas,
crossed by the tropic of Cancer,
refreshed by the northeast trade
winds, bathed with bountiful
showers, with soil and sunshine
that tempt even dead seeds to
life, is it any wonder that Col
umbus wrote, "The most beau
tiful land that human eye has
even seen."
The climate of Cuba is ideal,
the mean average temperature
of January is 70 degrees and of
July 80, only on rare occasion
does the mercury go below 60
degrees in winter and above 80
in summer.
Cuba has a population Of two
and one-half millions, with 49,
900 square miles of area, most
of which consists of exception
ally rich lands.
One essential trait instantly
recognized by the traveller who
chances this way is the inborn
courtesy which is apparent in
almost every grade of society.
Of the two and one-half millions
70 per cent are white, while only
80 per cent belong to the Afri-
can race and it's crosses.
In the matter of education Gu
ba is only emerging from that
unfortunate condition prevalent
in many countries where public
education was not fostered. One
of the first acts of the Ameri-
can Intervention in the year
1900 was to inaugurate a mod
ern system of public instruction
such as prevailed in the United
States.
The Products.
Commercially speaking sugar
cane is king in Cuba, the sugar
crop in 1914 was valued at $780,
100000, and only 4 per cent of
available sugar soil is under cul-
tivation. Tobacco, coffee, corn,
rice, cotton and wheat are pro-
duced extensively. The oranges
and grape fruit of Cuba are of
a peculiar sweetness, and super
ior quality to those grown either
in Florida or California. Bana-
mas, pineapples, mangos, guava,
figs and grapes are their prin-
cipal fruits. There are over one
hundred varieties of palms in
Cuba, although the only one cul-
tivated for commercial purposes
is the cocoanut, which is found
scattered from one end of the
island to the other. The cocoa
comes into bearing when five or
six years old, and unless attack
ed by disease will continue to
yield nuts for perhaps a century.
| Cuba has 1,246 miles of ex-
cellent roads which for beauty
are unsurpassed in the world.
These roads were begun by the
Spanish military authorities and
were for purely military pur-
poses. They have been extended,
and are now employed in the
pursuit of trade and pleasure.
Motoring.
No one leaves Havana, with
out taking an automobile tour
to Matanazas, some 80 miles
away, for motoring there is
probably no place on earth which
offers greater attractions, par
ticularGy during the winter sea-
son, than Cuba. These roads are
very wide, and are kept in con-
stant repair. On either side love-
| Ily trees are planted which fur
nish shade, and give an artistic
touch to the road. At places the
road is lined with royal poincia-
ma trees. which in the late win