New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1917-05-16
NEW POSSESSIONS
OF UNCLE SANS
Little Journeys Thru the American
Tropics, Written Especially for The
Review by Our Special Correspon-
dent, L. D. MacWethy, Author OF
Country Editor in Panama"
WHERE THE SPIRIT OF THE OLD
WORLD FINGERS

Island OF Porto KicO, American Pos
session Still Clings to Social Gus
toms of Old Spain. First Stop on
Way to Virgin Islands Reveals a
Wonderful Contrast.
We all remember the predicament of
the man who held the baby for the
young woman who stepped around the
corner and never came back.
At the close of the Spanish-American
war Uncle Sam found himself in exactly
this predicament- only worse. On one
arm he had the PHILIPPINES and on the
other Porto Rico, and both were Justify
squalling, kicking, empty stomached
youngsters, acting exactly as any other
young'un would who had been suddenly
awakened. s.e
Inasmuch as we are to visit the newly
purchased Danish West Indies, (Now
the Virgin Islands) and as our route lies
thru Porto Rico we will give the latter a
once over before proceeding with our
journey.
Porto Rico or more properly Puerto
Rico, Rich Harbor'' is the fourth in
size of the Greater Antilles, and was
until, the purchase Of the Danish West
Indies the most easterly possession of the
United States on the Western Henri
sphere. The island is about 100 miles
long by 40 wide, contains about 3435
square miles, almost a million and a
quarter inhabitants and 5000 auto
mobiles mostly f1ivvers.
So much for geography. Topograph-
lcally the island is covered with
peculiar little funnel shaped hillocks
sometimes reaching the proportions of
near mountains, exactly as tho nature
had built the island with a giant steam
shovel and forgot to level it off; There
IS no timber to speak of and the eleva-
tons present nude, barren appearance.
In the valleys and along the rivers is
found rich vegetation and wherever irriga-
ton IS feasible abundant crops are found.
The soil is rich and fertile. The main
product: ons are sugar cane, tobacco, grape
fruit, coffee, cocoanuts and babies. The
latter predominant.
A Spanish Possession for Nearly 400
Years.
Historically the island is most interest
ing. Discovered by Columbus on his
second voyage November 18th, 1893, it
remained a Spanish possession until the
signing OF the peace protocol in August,
1888 between Spain and America and
the Stars and Stripes were hoisted in
t1AoSN VI Vic ACu dl1u yc11OW VI ,dlClcIC
Spain. With Columbus came a romantic
and adventurous "Conquistador" the
original apostle of Christian Science, one
Juan Ponce de Leon. Ponce Sound the
final e. was enamoured Of the wonderful
luxuriance and fertility of the island and
later came back and planted a colony.
Here it was that Ponce laid the founda-
lions for the fortified city of San Juan
and erected the famous "Casa Blanca"
or white house which still looks out over
the beautiful blue sea, and here it was
that he outftted his excursion in search
of the mythical fountain OF youth and
here it was that his remains were brought
when an Indian arrow laid him low and
he finally succumbad in Havana.
Ponce de Leon Still Prominent
Ponce de Leon while long time dead,
IS still prominent figure in Porto Rice.
His bones respose in shad} nicae in the
magnificent cathedral of San Juan. But
they have not always rested. Until
1863 his remains were deposited in the
ancient San Jose church before which a
bronze statue of Ponce stands sentinel.