Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-04-29
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Pirates Lair

Pirates Lair
Who owns the Swan Islands in Spanish
Las Islas del Cisne, just off the coast Of
Honduras?
This question is now being agitated by the
Foreign Relations committee of the Hon
duran congress, which has requested the '
Foreign Office to confer with the American
State Department, to determine whether
they belong to the United States or Hon
duras.
The larger of the islands is about mile
and half in length and three-quarters of
mile wide at its widest point. The second
island is much smaller. The Importance Of
the islands would be considerable from a
strategic point of view, as they command the
western part of the Caribbean Sea.
Minister Gutierrez of Honduras said today
that the reason the title to the islands is in
doubt is that until now neither Honduras nor
the United States has valued them sufficient
ly to assert formal claim Of possession.
For some years the islands were in the
possession of retired American naval Off
Ger, Captain Adams. The Honduran govern
ment is said to doubt whether Captain
Adams held any title to Swan Islands other
than that arising from occasional occupancy
The United Fruit company has maintained
for years on the larger of the islands high
power radio station, which has been Of great
value to shipping. Minister Gutierrez said
that his government is not likely to take any
steps which would hamper this valuable
station, whatever the decision concerning
title.
Swan Islands have been the subject of
many romantic tales Poet, novelist and his
torian have had their fling at them. Morgan
is said to have outfitted ships there for his
descent upon the Spanish colonies in the
Canal Zone, and further north, in Honduras
and Nicaragua, for 800 years the story has
been handed down of vast treasures buried
there by English pirates.
Coin Famine
Half of the silver sold to Great Britain
and third Of the silver dollars melted up
to supply the metal for relieving the coin
famine in India during the war have been
replaced by the treasury, according to
figures compiled today by the Mint.
In 1918 the government sold Great Britain
approximately 200,000,O00 ounces of silver
dollars, for approximately 5000 1000.
About 100000 ounces Of silver will be
needed to replace the dollars, and since May,
1920, 103,000,000 ounces have been purchase
ed for So an ounce.
Estimating the annual silver output for
the next two years at SO, 100000 ounces, of
ficiaIs asserted it would require that long for
the treasury to obtain the remaining 1867
600, 900 ounces required, which the law pro-
vides must be mined in this country. Great
Britain, officials said, has paid about $780,
900, 900 on account of the silver purchases.
Farm Loans
That an interest rate Of as low as five per
cent on farm loans in the northwest is close
at hand is the statement Of W. G. Baker, a
South Dakotan who is director of the Fed
eral Farm Loan bank at Omaha, Neb., which
operates in this district.
Mr.. Baker states that this interest rate
will prevail through the service Of the Fed
eral Land bank of this district. Sales or
bonds indicate that the present interest rate
of six per cent will soon be reduced to 5 S
per cent. The Federal Land Bank at Omaha
now has a reserve fund of $27O,000, and I'M
divided profits Of $558,264, Of which there
accrued in March $66,83666
These undivided profits belong to the bor-
rowers and will eventually be returned to
them. These dividends will make the net in
terest rate to the farmer about five per cent.
Mr.. Baker further states that in Febru-
airy $75, 000,0 900 of five per cent bonds were
sold in two days at 1928, and now sell at
from 1881 to 104. In May or June another
issue of $75,OOO,0O0 will be offered, of
which this district will have about $1,000
900.
Mr.. Baker announces that the loans of the
Omaha Federal Land bank in January were
$1,74,5OO; in February, $2,614,000, leading
all other land bank districts for that month.
In March the loans of the Federal Land bank
at Omaha reached $3,124,700
The total loans of the Omaha Federal
Land bank since its organization, completed
to April of this year, now reach $65,958,-
100, of which there has been paid $2,O64,-
45O, leaving in force loans of $63,S94,34O.
Wintry conditions marked the close OF the
English hunting season in many counties.
On the last day of March snow stopped sport
with number of packs.
On the whole the season has been salts
factory, especially in the Midland district
where the Quorn, Pytchley Fernie and Bel
voir maintained a fair average of sport.
The Mynell did consistently we'll all
through the winter while followers of the
Cheshire which finished with a couple OF
really good days, are to be congratulated
upon a first-rate season.
Alaska Autos
Automobile travel in Alaska, an impossi-
bility to any extent in the past, will this
summer be a popular tourist attraction be-
cause of completed highways.
The road from Valdez, at tide water, to
Fairbanks is $40 miles long, government
owned and kept in perfect condition by con-
slant working. The scenic attractions along
this highway cannot be surpassed in the
States because Of their "newness'' and the
wldness Of the surrounding regions.
Over mountains that tower thousands OF
feet above the motorist, through weather
worn canyons housing roaring streams OF
glacial water and into dense forests which
prove welcome relief from the hot rays Of
the long days sun, the most northerly i'm
proved boulevard winds its crooked way.
At intervals along the route the tourist
comes upon typical Alaska roadhouse, the
cabin of Robert Service and those of other
writer's of '9S. The rough and ready log