The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1922-03-02

prepared by the National Geographic So
oiety. Warrington. d. c)
Close to home, yet less known to
Americans than many parts of Europe,
Cape Breton Island, a part Of Nova
Scotia, is far from being the "few acres
OF snow that Voltaire contemptuously
dubbed II In the days when France and
England were at each others throats
over II. 1t is barely an island, and for
all practical purposes may be consid-
cred the easternmost point OF Canada's
mainland.
Perhaps many who have not seen
this land think OF it as Voltalre did,
but IL has its fruitful apple orchards
and a thriving general agriculture, and
growth is remarkably rapid, once vege-
aation is started. 1t has. too, all the
ingredients for industrial success in
this "Steel Age"-iron ore, coal and
limestone. And, unlike those of the
competing lron-produclng regions Of
North America, Cape Breton's materl-
ais are at the waters edge, where the
finished product can be handled most
cheaply.
The ports of Cape Breton are closer
60 Europe and Africa by hundreds of
miles than any others on the North
American continent; and, surprisingly
10 those whe have not closely studied
their maps, the distance from Cape
Breton to Rio de Janeiro Is less than
that from New Orleans to Rio.
A less material but important asset
of Cape Breton Is Its scenery and eli
mate. Relatively few American tour
lists have discovered the island yet,
but those who have swear by its
charm. Its summers are pleasantly
cool and it's winters, thanks TO the
proximity OF the Gulf stream, relative
nv mild. A principal pleasure feature
and beauty spot Is the islands inland
sea, the beautiful Bras dor lakes, a
paradise for yachtsmen.
Cape Breton's history is old and full.
Undoubtedly her coasts were frequent
ed by Norwegian royers as early as the
tenth century. and we even have 1t on
che authority of the Flemish geogra-
pliers that the island was discovered
and named by Basque fishermen, who
crossed the Atlantic in pursuit OF
whales a hundred years before the voy-
ages Of Columbus.
John cabovs Landfail.
IT Is from the voyages of the Cabots,
however, that Cape Breton dates her
history. The highland to the north OF
the island Is now generally agreed to
have beer the landfall of John Cabot
the first sighting of North America
OF which we have record. Peter Mar
tyr's account of the voyage of the
younger Cabot in 1903, when the Is
hand was claimed in the name of
'Kyng Henry" shows that a landing
was made on these northern shores at
feast q year before Columbus touched
upon the mainland of the continent.
Standing far out in the Atlantic, the
most easterly extremity Of the Domin-
son OK Canada. Cape Breton owes much
OF her colorful history to her geograph-
zeal position. She reaches out into the
ocean trade lanes, the landfal of
west-bound shipping today as in the
sime Of the Cabots.
Two centuries ago her commanding
position with reference to the trade OF
enc st. Lawrence and the West Indies
made Cape Breton an issue In world
posltics, an Issue sometimes disturbing
fAe peace Of Europe and upsettiEg the
treaties Of the powers. The fortunes
Of he little island, now under the
red cross OF st. George, now under
the gold lilies OF France, are a part Of
me continents history--the greater
mart OF II a war history.
The story OF Louisburg. a fortress
Is years in the building, at a cost
Of six millions OF dollars-more than
four times that sum In the value OF
cur ~money--its two sieges, and Us
anal demolition. Is the best-known
chapter OF Cape Breton's history.
The fortress became not only the
base OF French naval power In Amer
sca. but, with outlying posts at ST.
peters, IngoniSh, and ST. AIMS, the
resort Of privateers that Infested the
New England coast and the haven to
which they conveyed their sp0ils.
Upon the outbreak of war between
France and England, in I744, to the
<eoionisfs OF Massachusetts and New
Ef7nmpshire the reduction Of this
stronghold was q highly attractive
project.
Capture Of Louisburo.
The frst siege aud capture Of Louis
burg by the little band of New Eng
and milltiamen under Perpereii Win
tsn prtf:eh West India Aeet under War