Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1918-01-25

~ ONCERNING the reports that
the Azores had been utilized
by the United States ms ma.
val base, n writer IN the chi
cag0 Examiner says:
"These islands lie In the Atlantic
ocean, 500 miles of the coast Of P0rtu
gal. Situated well TO the south of the
main transatlantic ship routes to Eng.
lind md Frnnce, they afford an ad
mirable rendezvous for our patrollng
fleets md n convenient port for as
sembling military stores and troops.
Such base for ships to prevent the
wholesale destruction Of navigation
and for the protection OF neutral as
well ms allied shipping should be as
welcome to Portugal as to the other
allied countries.
Powerful wireless stations on the
Islands keep In touch with shipping
on the Atlantic and, located as they
are 80 close to the trade routes be-
tween this country and southern Eli
rope, II is quite probable that the Is.
lands have been rendered safe from U.
boat attacks and that our allies are
using them MS base Of operations.
20 Observndor. Lisbon, has con
stantly advocated the creation Of an.
val police and protecting stations In
the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian
oceans. In urging this course Of ac-
ti0n. In recent issue, II states: None
would be more important in point Of
geographical position and natural re.
sources than naval repairing, fur
nishlng and protecting station In the
Azores or Western islands and, II nee
essary, for relay point for American
forces crossing the Atlantic. Some
understanding already ought to have
been had between Portugal. England
and America
Harbor Facilities Not Very Good.
"The Azores occupy an area of 922
square miles. The archipelago com
prises nine islands. Of which the chief
are st. Michael. In the Southeastern
group; Terciera. Graciosa. Saint
George Faynl and Pico. In the Central
group. In 1911 the population of the
islands was o42,6l3. mainly of Portu-
guese origin.
"The islands AT present do not af.
ford the best OF harb0r facilities.
Those, however. that may be avail
able have potential possibilities that
should not greatly tax the ingenuity
of our engineers.
"Onc of the best harbOrs Is at An
era, on the island of Terciera. How
ever, the islands afford other advan.
tages that would make them an excel.
lent base. The climate Is mild and
snow seldom seen. The temperature
is never higher than SO degrees. An
era Is the only city on Terciera, and
has 1900 population. II affords many.
diversions and its inhabitants of every
class are notably deferential and hos
pitable Here there are three social |
clubs, an.athletlc club and n lawn ten,
mis- association.
"The deepest. and some claim the
safest, anchorage Is at Vellas, be-
tween Piso and st. George. II is I
known us st. Georges channel. The
natives of st. George are chiefly occu I,
pied in raising cattle and manufactur
ing cheese for export.
Plco and Fayal.
ION Pico, across the channel, Is the
symmetrical, cone-shaped peak, rising
to Il height of 1855 feet above sea
evel. The climate here Is unrivaled.
II Is said to be one of the healthiesi
spots in the world, absolutely free
rom marshes or stagnant water.
"Fayal is perhaps best known to
American tourists. Here the first
Azorean and fourth consulate 0f the
United States was established In
1906 Here the FIRST American resi-
lence was built by John Il. Dabncy.
he first consul. The harbor at ll0rtn.
Fayal, Is the most spacious in the
azores. by improving the breakwater
lere IN excellent port would he af-
orded TO vessels Of our fleet. Al
IOrta are anchored eleven submarine
'ables with n joint central station for
he English, American and other com