Morris tribune., 1921-09-02


Passed to the United States When
California Was Acquired.
Nine American islands off the coast
of California, a number Of them in
habited, and some important to marin
ers because of the lighthouses and
Geographic stations upon them, are
claimed by Mexico, according to dis
patches from Mexico City. These is
lands are the subject of the following
bulletin issued by the National Geo
graphic society from its Washington
ID. o. headquarters:
1.-THE climate Of the southern Cali
fornia mainland has acquired a world
wide reputation because Of its mild
ness and equability; but the climate
IF the islands lying from II to 50
miles off it's coast is praised by Wis
itors as even more delightful. Sur
rounded by the blue Pacific under a
semitropic sun, but famed by ocean
breezes, they are land of perpetual
summer and can be imagined to merit
the title, enchanted isles that some
enthusiasts have bestowed on them.
"AII of the California islands are
rough and most Of them too small to be
abundantly supplied with water. They
are, therefore, of little Importance
agriculturally. On several of them,
however, sheep and goats are raised
in considerable numbers. The largest
Of the islands, Santa Cruz, only about
70 miles south of Santa Barbara, has
some vineyards and orange groves.
Santa Catalina, which has been
developed as a pleasure resort, is the
best known Of the islands. On beau.
tiful little crescent bay Of that island,
facing the mainland % miles to the
east, the town of Avalon has been
built. Thousands of tourists visit the
place every year in the steamers which
run regularly from San Pedro. Avalon
is the main Pacific coast headquarters
for big game fishing, the adjacent
waters Astounding in tuna, sea-bass ana
swordfsh. The little town has built
up quite an industry in the mounting
of specimens of these great fishes
that they may adorn the trophy rooms
of sportsmen.
Rose From the Sea.
california owes her Off-shOre Is
lands not to drifting sands as the
southern sections of the Atlantic coast
owe theirs, but to the fact that the
state is the center of one of the most
active regions geologically in the world
in recent geological times. San Gle
mente, the southernmost Of the islands,
has risen from the sea, according to
biologists, until it's tOpmost peak has
an altitude Of over 1900 feet. Santa
Catalina, on the other hand, has been
sinking, though evidences of the slow
movement are not apparent to laymen.
"None of the California islands Is
Of any great extent. Santa Cruz, the
largest, is 81 miles long and has an
average width Of five miles. It is also
the highest, having a peak which
reaches an altitude Of 2,4O7 feet. San
"a Barbara island is only one and one
half miles long and one mile wide.
The three Anacapa islands which al
most touch, are together slightly
larger, but the individual sections are
smaller. These islands are generally
considered one.
1.-THE Farallones, though small, are
probably the most useful Of the Cali
fornia islands. They are a group OF
rocky islets about 20 miles directly oil
the Golden gate, the entrance Of San
Francisco's wonderful harbor. Past
these islets streams an important part
of the commerce of the world and
from them are flashed by submarine
cable reports of arriving and depart.
ing ships. On the largest of the is
lets is situated Farallone light which